I gave him a wry smile. “No matter how harsh it is, I need to know.”
For the next few days, I lived a lie.
I went to work, came home, cooked dinner for Mark, and we’d chat about our day. On the surface, we were the same loving couple, but I knew my heart was dead.
Mark was busy preparing for his trip—booking flights, packing, arranging his visa. He was completely absorbed in the excitement of his new life, utterly oblivious to my changed demeanor.
A week later, Kevin met me at the same coffee shop. He handed me a large Manila envelope.
“Miss Miller, here’s the report.”
I took a deep breath and opened it.
Inside was a thick stack of photos and documents. Every single picture was a knife in my heart.
Mark and the woman holding hands while shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Mark and the woman checking into the Thompson Hotel.
Mark and the woman dining intimately at a high-end restaurant.
My hands were shaking.
Kevin’s voice seemed to come from a distance. “Her name is Claire Sutton. She’s the new director of marketing at your husband’s company. They started seeing each other three months ago.”
He paused, then continued. “According to my investigation, your husband is indeed going to Toronto—but not for a business trip. He and Miss Sutton are immigrating. He’s already purchased a condo there, and the down payment was made with money from your joint account.”
The world spun around me.
“Are you all right? Can I get you some water?” Kevin asked with concern.
I waved my hand, forcing myself to calm down and continue reading.
The file included screenshots of their text messages.
“Claire, just a little longer. Once I get Hannah settled, we can finally be together in the open.”
“Mark, I’m waiting for you, darling. Besides, you’ve already moved most of the money from the joint account. She’s just a woman. What can she do?”
“Claire, that’s true. Her entire salary has gone into that account for years. I’ve been investing it. She has very little personal savings. She won’t be able to do much of anything after the divorce.”
“Mark, so when are you going to break it to her?”
“Claire, no need. I’ll go to Toronto first. After six months, I’ll tell her I met someone else there and want a divorce. That way, she won’t make a scene. Since I’m the one initiating it, she’ll look petty if she fights it.”
“Mark, you’ve thought of everything. So, when do we start decorating our place in Toronto?”
“Claire, as soon as I get there. Don’t worry. We’re going to have a wonderful life.”
I closed the file, shut my eyes, and took a long, deep breath.
Five years of marriage.
It was all a meticulously planned scam.
“Miss Miller, what do you plan to do?” Kevin asked, handing me a glass of water.
I opened my eyes, my gaze now firm. “I’m going to transfer every penny out of that joint account.”
Kevin hesitated. “Is that legal?”
“It’s a joint account. I have the right to access the funds,” I said with a cold laugh. “Besides, most of that money came from my salary. He thinks I’m a fool who will just sit here and wait for him to come back and dump me. He’s dreaming.”
Kevin nodded. “I understand. If you need legal assistance, I can recommend an excellent lawyer.”
“Thank you. I do.”
Leaving the coffee shop, I didn’t go home. I went straight to the bank.
The teller looked surprised at the amount I wanted to transfer. “Ma’am, this is a substantial sum. Are you sure you want to transfer the entire balance?”
“I’m sure. To my personal account.”
“Okay. Please enter your PIN.”
I typed in the numbers and watched the screen flash: Transfer successful.
A wave of relief washed over me.
$650,000, all in my personal account.
It was what I deserved. It was my blood, sweat, and tears from the last five years.
When I got home, Mark wasn’t back yet. I sat on the sofa and began to piece together the last five years.
We met through a mutual friend. I had just graduated from college and was working as a copywriter at a small agency. Mark was three years older, already a project manager at a multinational corporation.
He was mature, stable, and charming. He pursued me relentlessly—flowers, gifts, picking me up from work every day. He said he fell for me the moment he saw me, that I was the most genuine and kind-hearted girl he had ever met.
I was swept off my feet by his sweet words and quickly agreed to be his girlfriend.
A year later, we were married.
The wedding wasn’t extravagant, but it was warm and lovely. I thought I had found the man I could spend the rest of my life with.
Our married life seemed happy. Mark was good to me. He ate dinner with me every night, and we went out on weekends. I thought this was what marriage was supposed to be.
But looking back now, so many details were wrong.
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