I cried while accompanying my husband to the Chicago airport because he was “leaving for two years in Seattle,” but upon my return, I transferred $650,000 into my personal account and initiated divorce proceedings.

“This is for us,” he murmured softly.

I cried while holding him in my arms. But I wasn’t crying because I was going to miss him. I was crying because I already knew the truth.

Seeing him go through security, I knew he wouldn’t be taking a flight to Seattle. I was certain he’d leave through another door and call a taxi to Oak Brook, where his secret apartment awaited him.

That’s when I made my decision.

I would not become the naive wife who waits patiently at home while providing for another woman. I would become the woman who acts before it’s too late.

When I got home that afternoon, I sat down at the dining room table where Matthew and I had so often talked about our future. I picked up my phone and called the bank. The account was joint, which meant we both had the right to access the funds. I also had documents proving that most of the capital came directly from my inheritance.

Only about an hour passed between hesitation and action. I transferred the entire $650,000 into a personal account in my name only.

The procedure was carried out discreetly. Completely legal. And impossible to cancel without my consent.

Once the transfer was completed, I made another call to my family’s lawyer, whose office was located near the Gold Coast area.

“I wish to begin divorce proceedings immediately,” I told him calmly.