I overheard my husbands chat with his mate and finally got why he married me in the first place.
Come on, Jess, how many times can you keep squeezing my? Sorry for being blunt, but Im at the end of my rope! This is a proper scam! You know the word scam, right? Kyle paced the spacious living room, constantly fixing his perfectly styled bangs. Victors giving us a chance to get into a plot at the groundfloor stage. In a year those flats will double in value! Well put in ten million pounds and pull out twenty!
I was curled up in the deep armchair, tea gone lukewarm, wishing I could just shut my eyes and soak up the silence. But for the past two weeks Kyle hadnt let me have a moment of peace.
Kyle, ten million is all the cash Ive got left. Its the safety net for the business. If anything goes pear-shaped, I wont be able to pay wages or order fabric. You know its the school uniform season, then the Christmas parties
Again with your fabrics! Kyle rolled his eyes dramatically. Jess, youre a smart woman, a businesswoman. Yet you think like a seamstress stuck in a workshop. Your factory isnt going anywhere. This kind of opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Victors my best mate, he wouldnt feed me a dud. Hes actually putting his own money in.
I sighed. I loved Kyle his youthful energy, the sparkle in his eyes, the way he could talk so nicely and be a proper charmer. When we met three years ago I was fortyfive, he thirtyseven. I owned a chain of tailoring shops and a small garment factory, accustomed to carrying the load alone. My first husband walked out for a younger woman, left me with a teenage son and a mountain of debt. I clawed my way back, built the business, raised my boy. Then Kyle appeared gallant, fun, never demanding I be a steel Lady and I melted.
He worked as a sales manager for a construction firm. He didnt have the charisma of a Hollywood star, but I didnt care. What mattered was that hed pick me up from work with a hot dinner, bring flowers for no reason, and whisk us off to a seaside break.
Lately his projects got more pushy. First a pricey car to match the husband of a business owner vibe, then a crypto scheme. Now a construction deal.
Kyle, let me think it over, alright? I need to check the paperwork, maybe talk to a solicitor.
Which solicitor? That old codger Boris Ignatius? He lives in the last century! Hell tell you to stash cash under the mattress. Jess, this needs a quick decision. Tomorrow is the last day we can lock in this price. Victors already holding the reservation for us.
Kyle knelt in front of me, took my hands, his palms warm.
Jess, trust me. Im doing this for us. I want us to live better, so you dont have to work all day and can actually rest. Well build a house, travel. All for our future.
I looked into his deep brown eyes, wanting to believe he truly cared, not just chase easy money.
Okay, I whispered. Ill go to the bank first thing tomorrow, but I need time to sort the transfer.
Youre brilliant! Kyle jumped up, lifted me in his arms and spun me around despite my weak protests. Youll see, well be millionaires! Ill call Victor right now, hell be thrilled!
The next morning I went to the bank not to pull out cash, but to verify the accounts. That little voice inside, the one that once warned me against a dodgy supplier, kept nagging, Dont rush.
The day turned chaotic. The main sewing machine broke, the tax office dropped by for a surprise audit. I was running like a hamster on a wheel, signing forms, calming seamstresses. By evening my head felt like itd been hammered.
I decided to head home early, skipping the office to grab a hot bath. Pulling into the drive, a sleek black SUV sat by the entrance. Probably a neighbours guest, I thought, parking my car.
The flat was quiet. I slipped the key into the lock, hearing muffled voices and clinking glasses from the lounge.
Strange, Kyle didnt mention anyone coming over, I thought. I wanted to shout Im home! but something held me back. The tone was off too loud, too familiar.
I slipped off my shoes, tiptoed down the hallway, and peered into the open lounge.
Well, look at that, mate! She finally signed, did she? a rough, hoarse laugh echoed. I recognized Victors voice, my business partner.
Exactly! Kyles voice sounded smug, not the way hed ever spoken to me. I told you, the right approach a bit of whining about our future, a few compliments, a kneeldown here and there, and the clients yours. Shell transfer the money tomorrow.
My heart hammered against my throat.
Ten million? Victor asked.
Ten. Shell drain everything clean. Silly old lass. She really believes were building some fancy complex.
Well build the complex in our heads, Victor snorted. She wont see through it, right? The loan agreements a oneday company, shell sign without a blink. She loves me like a saint. Kyle, Kyle
A bottle being poured punctuated the banter.
Heres to your acting skills! Victor toasted. Youre a bit of a ladykiller, arent you? Still looking tidy.
Ladykiller Kyle sneered. Look at her neck, her hands. No amount of cream can hide the sag. I crawl into bed each night and picture Sophie. Shes already packing. As soon as the cash hits, were off to Malta. Ill tell Jess Im heading to the site, and vanish. When shes busy filing a report, Ill be gone.
Victor laughed, half admiring, half shocked. What if she catches on?
She wont. Shes proud, shed never admit a young gigolo duped her. The loan will be legit; the company will just go bust. Business risk, love.
I slipped down the wall to the floor, my legs giving out. A cold as ice flooded my veins. Old fool, worklike, Sophie his words hammered into my brain like hot nails. Three years of living in a fairytale, thinking it was hardwon happiness, turned out to be just a longterm investment with a final asset dump.
A surge of rage rose I wanted to barge in, flip the table, claw his smug smile, scream until the windows shattered. Yet I stayed still. Decades of running a business, dealing with 90s gangsters and 00s bureaucrats had forged steel inside me. A tantrum would only feed him; I wasnt weak.
I breathed slowly, gathered myself, grabbed my shoes and slipped out as silently as Id come in.
On the landing I called the lift, rode down, got into my car. My hands trembled on the wheel, but my mind was clear, frighteningly clear.
Malta. Sophie. Oneday company, I muttered, glancing at the flat windows where two vultures were sharing my skin.
I started the engine and drove not to a therapist or a friend, but to my office. In the safe there lay my passport, company documents, the seal.
Two hours later I was back with bags of takeaway and a bottle of fine whisky. I flung the door open, dropped my keys, and rattled the bags.
Kyle! Im home! I shouted, my voice ringing with a strange joy.
Kyles head popped out, a forced smile in his eyes, a flash of fear.
Jess! Youre early. Weve got a meeting with Victor, celebrating your wise decision.
I walked into the lounge, bright as ever.
Victor, hello! Great youre here. Ive just bought a feast, lets celebrate!
Victor, a hefty man with darting eyes, rose to greet me.
Mrs. Hart, my respects! Glad youre with us. Kyle said you agreed? Brilliant. Big money loves the decisive.
Yes, Ive thought it through, I began laying out the food. Enough of staring at gold. Time to grow. Kyle opened my eyes.
I stepped up to Kyle, kissed his cheek. He tensed then relaxed.
Youre clever, he purred, wrapping an arm around my waist. I knew youd back me.
Of course, love. Tomorrow were off to the bank. Ive ordered cash safer than transfers and fees. Well withdraw everything and hand it to Victor under a receipt.
Victors eyes gleamed greedily.
Cash, perfect! Thats our way. Respect.
The evening blurred into a haze. I smiled, poured whisky, listened to their toasts about a bright future. I stared at Kyle, bewildered at how I hadnt seen the fake smile, the cold calculation. Love may be blind, but betrayal is a sharp eye.
When Victor drifted off, humming something, Kyle pulled me close.
Sleep? he asked.
Yeah, love. You shower, Ill tidy up.
Lying next to the man whod tried to ruin me, I couldnt close my eyes. I heard his steady breathing and, in my mind, said goodbye not just to him, but to my naïveté the moment his laugh echoed from the hallway. I was parting with my trust.
At dawn I woke him with a kiss.
Rise, millionaire! Moneys waiting.
He sprang up, dressed in his sharpest suit, scented himself.
Ready! Jess, youve got the passport?
Of course.
We headed to the bank. Kyle chattered nonstop, dreaming about the house wed build. I nodded, watching the city rush by.
The bank ushered us into a VIP room. A manager, an old colleague of mine, slid over bundles of cash ten million pounds, neatly packed.
Kyle stared at the money like a kid in a candy shop, his hands reaching for the table on their own.
Shall we sign for the release? the manager asked.
Yes, I said. Go ahead.
I signed the withdrawal slip, the cash spilling into my bag.
Alright, off to Victors office! Kyle urged as we stepped outside. Hes waiting with the solicitor.
I stopped by my car. Hold on, Kyle, Ive got a surprise for you.
A surprise? What is it? he fidgeted, impatient. No time!
Its quick. Sit down.
I popped the boot, hauled out a hefty sports suitcase and set it on the pavement.
Whats that? Are we heading to Malta now? Right now?
I laughed, short and sharp.
Youre not going anywhere. Where were you thinking? To Sophie? Or straight to mum?
Kyles smile faded, his face turning pale.
Jess, what are you talking about? Which Sophie? What?
The one you were planning to fly to with my money. The one you picture when you lie in bed like its work. I heard everything, Kyle. Yesterday, when you came home early.
He opened his mouth but no sound came out. He looked like a fish flopped on the beach.
I heard every word. Old fool, oneday company, how Ill ditch you.
It was a joke! We were drunk, Victor and I! You got the wrong idea! he tried to grab my hand, but I pulled away.
Dont touch me. Never touch me again. Inside that suitcase are your things the underwear, socks, the cheap suits you bought before me. Im taking the car its registered to the firm. Your cards linked to my account? Blocked half an hour ago.
You cant! Were married! Half the moneys mine!
The money? I tapped the bag of cash. No, love. Thats the companys money. I withdrew it for business expenses. You have no claim. And about our assets you told Victor, Shell stay silent. Well, Im not silent. Im clever. Ive already sent our conversation to the old solicitor, that codger. Yes, theres a hidden mic in the lounge I installed it to watch the housekeeper, but it caught you.
Kyles shoulders slumped. The mask of the loving husband fell, revealing a scared, pathetic fraudster.
Jess, please! I was misled! Victor pushed me! I love you, really! Dont throw me out! Ive got nowhere to go!
Go to Sophie. Maybe shell take you in. Though without cash, she probably wont want you.
I slipped into the drivers seat, locked the doors, rolled down the window.
Goodbye, Kyle. Divorce papers will be posted. Dont try to get near me or my business. As you said, everythings covered. I might not send you to prison, but Ill make your nights a living nightmare.
I floored it, leaving my former husband stranded on the car park with a suitcase in one hand and emptiness in the other.
Driving through the city, tears streamed down my cheeks. It hurt terrifically. Hopes shattered, faith in people broken. Yet underneath that pain rose a strange relief.
Id rid myself of a parasite. My business survived. I hadnt let myself be crushed.
The bag of ten million pounds sat on the passenger seat.
Nothing, I thought, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. Ill reinvest in new equipment. Those Japanese machines Ive always wanted. Then Ill take a holiday. Just me. Maybe Malta, or better yet Italy where men appreciate women of any age, not just their wallets.
That evening I sat at the kitchen table with my son, Adam, now a grownup, listening intently.
Mom, Ill sort him out, he said calmly, clenching his fist.
No need, love. Hes taught himself his lesson. He lost everything chasing a ghost. Weve got everything we need.
I poured tea, took a bite of a tartlet from the boutique Id opened a year ago, and for the first time in days felt the simple pleasure of food.
My phone buzzed a message from Kyle: Jess, lets talk. Ill explain everything.
I hit block. Then I found Victors number and blacklisted him too.
Life rolled on. I promised myself Id stay brilliant, because being alone and strong beats being with someone who keeps a hidden hand in your pocket. Love will come again, but next time Ill check the passport and the credit report first.
Thanks for listening, love. I hope the story reminds you to trust but always doublecheck. Take care.
