Telha
Years of enduring a marriage
That was dominated by Mike’s obsession with wealth and material possessions,
Nicole shocked everyone during their divorce by willingly handing over everything.
While Mike basked in what he believed was a triumphant “win,” Nicole’s quiet laughter hinted at a meticulously planned move he didn’t see coming.
As I left the lawyer’s office, my face was expressionless, shoulders slumped, projecting the image of a defeated ex-wife. The rain pouring down matched the gloomy facade I wanted to present. But inside, I was brimming with excitement. Once the elevator doors closed behind me with a soft ding, a small giggle escaped my lips. It wasn’t planned—it simply bubbled up like champagne after the cork pops.
The more I thought about what I’d just done, the louder my laughter grew until I was nearly cackling in the empty elevator.
To an outsider, I might have appeared unhinged from the stress, but in reality, everything was unfolding just as I had hoped.
Mike could keep the house, the car, and the savings. That was the plan all along.
Letting him believe he’d won was the first part of my strategy. What he didn’t know was that his victory came with a twist he’d never expect.
A carefully maintained act
As the cracks deepened and our arguments escalated, I saw the end approaching. But instead of fearing it, I prepared for it. I knew Mike well enough to predict how things would play out. He didn’t care about saving the marriage—he only wanted to win the house, the money, and the divorce.
So, I let him have it all—on paper
The divorce proceedings were predictably tense. In a lifeless conference room, Mike confidently listed off his demands: the house, the car, the savings. His smug grin hinted he thought I’d crumble. Instead, I calmly agreed.
“You can have it all,” I said.
My lawyer raised a skeptical eyebrow, silently asking if I was sure. I nodded.
Mike blinked, stunned. “Wait, what? You don’t want the house or the money?”
“Nope,” I said casually, leaning back. “It’s all yours.”
His shock quickly turned into triumph. He smirked and said, “Great. Pack your things and be out by six.”
“Sure,” I replied, hiding my own grin.
Which brings us back to the elevator—where I allowed myself to savor the moment.
When I got to the house, packing was surprisingly easy. I didn’t want much, just a few personal items. The house had never felt like mine anyway. As I sealed the last box, I picked up my phone to make a call.
“It’s time,” I told my mom, Barbara.
Her no-nonsense voice replied, “Finally. I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
Barbara had never liked Mike
From the day they met, she saw right through his flashy facade. What Mike didn’t realize was that the house he thought he’d “won” was still under her control. Thanks to a little-known clause in the agreement when she helped us buy it, she now had every right to live there for as long as she wanted.
The next morning, as I made breakfast in my new apartment, my phone rang. Mike’s name flashed on the screen. Smiling, I answered.
“You set me up!” Mike’s voice was trembling with rage.
“Whatever do you mean?” I replied sweetly.
“Your mother!” he fumed. “She’s in my house! She’s taken over everything!”
“Oh, right,” I said nonchalantly. “Remember that agreement we signed? The one that allows her to live there whenever she wants? You did sign it, after all.”
There was a long pause as realization dawned on him. I could almost hear the gears turning in his head as he remembered the fine print he’d overlooked.
“You tricked me! This isn’t over—I’ll get my lawyers!”
Before he could finish, I heard my mom’s unmistakable voice in the background.
“Michael, get your feet off the coffee table! And stop hogging the remote!”
I stifled a laugh.
“But this is my house!” Mike muttered weakly.
“Oh, hush,” Barbara snapped. “It’s my house too, and I’m not surviving on frozen dinners. Do you even know how to grocery shop?”
The call ended abruptly, leaving me smiling as I sat back and savored my toast.
Freedom never tasted so sweet.
Author’s Note:
This story is a work of fiction inspired by real-life events. Names, characters, and details have been changed for creative purposes and to protect privacy. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events and are not liable for misinterpretation.
