Mike’s need for money made their marriage very unhappy, so Nicole is shocked when she agrees to give him everything when they get divorced. But while Mike is celebrating his “victory,” Nicole’s laughter shows that she is working on a secret plan. Mike doesn’t know that she’s about to make the last move.
When I left the lawyer’s office, I had a blank look on my face and my shoulders were slouched, making me look like a beaten ex-wife. It was really raining, and the gray sky fit my mood, or at least the mood I wanted other people to think I was in.
I was excited inside. As I walked toward the elevator, I gripped the cold steel door handle with both hands. There was no one around. Okay.
When the elevator door shut softly behind me, I let out a little laugh. I didn’t plan for it to happen; it just came out of nowhere, like champagne finally popping.
What I did just made me laugh out loud in the lift like a crazy person the more I thought about it.
So stressed out that if someone saw me at that moment, they would think I had finally lost it. But no, that was just the start. Everything was going according to plan.
Mike could have everything: the house, the car, and the money. It was just what I needed. The best part was that he thought he had won. He had no idea what was going to happen.
The elevator stopped suddenly, and I quickly collected myself. I looked at myself in the mirror on the wall of the elevator. My hair was a mess, my eyes were tired, and I still had a small smile on my face. I didn’t care about it. It was going to be fun.
A few weeks ago…
Mike and I hadn’t been happy in years, but it wasn’t like most people who fall in love do. Mike was crazy about how he looked. He only wore expensive clothes and drove flashy cars. His house was the biggest on the block.
Everything was a show, and I had been on stage for too long. There were already signs of trouble, and when the fights got worse, I knew it wouldn’t be long before the inevitable happened.
I wasn’t scared of the breakup, though. I knew Mike well enough to know how this would turn out.
He wasn’t interested in keeping the marriage together. His only goal was to win—win the house, win the money, and win the divorce.
I only wanted to get away from this posh way of life. But that didn’t mean I was going to let him get away with it. I would give Mike what he wanted, but there would be a very strong catch.
It took place on Tuesday. Again, Mike got home late. He walked in while I was in the kitchen appearing to look at my phone. I didn’t even bother to look up.
“Let’s talk.”
I sighed, but my voice barely covered how bored I was. “Now what?”
In his anger, he slammed his keys on the counter, and I could feel it coming off of him. He was always this way when things at work didn’t go his way, and I was the easiest person to pick on.
His voice was low and tight as he said, “I’m done.” “I need to split up.”
I looked up at him. Finally. I gave a slow nod as if it were sinking in, but I had been getting ready for this moment for weeks.
I just said, “Okay.”
He made a face that showed he was shocked. “That’s it?” Not a fight? “Don’t beg?”
I gave a shrug. “Why bother?”
At first, he looked lost, like I had taken the wind out of his sails. He was ready for resistance and thought I would beg him to stay.
But all I had to do was give him enough rope to hang himself.
The divorce talks were just as bad as I thought they would be. We were sitting across from each other in a clean meeting room with lawyers on either side of us while Mike told us everything he wanted. It looked like he was reading a shopping list as he talked about the house, the car, and the savings.
There was a smug look on his face the whole time, like he thought I was going to cry at any moment.
“Fine,” I said, not really paying attention. “Everything is yours.”
My lawyer gave me a look that made it clear he meant, “Are you sure?” I did nothing but nod.
Mike took a quick blink. “What?”
“I told you you could have it.” Except for my own things, I don’t want any of it.
He looked shocked. “You… you don’t want the house?” “Or the cash?”
I leaned back in my chair and said, “Nope.” “You have it all.”
His shock turned into joy very quickly. “Great.” Then use this afternoon to get your things packed. That should be enough time since it’s not very much. Mike took a quick look at his watch. “You should be out by six.”
“That’s fine,” I said.
His chest puffed out like he had just won the prize as he sat up straighter. I let him think about it.
And that makes me think of the time I couldn’t hold back my laughter in the lift at the lawyer’s office building.
I took out my phone as I got off the lift. After moving my fingers around the screen for a second, I quickly typed a message: “I’m going home to pack up my things.” I’ll call you when it’s your turn to act.
I smiled and hit send. Now it’s time for the real fun.
I didn’t think it would be so easy to pack up the house. I didn’t want much—just a few personal items, mostly things that reminded me of good times that Mike hadn’t changed. We couldn’t live in that big of a house by ourselves, and it always felt more like his house than mine.
The last box was being taped up when I picked up the phone to call. Barbara, my mom, picked up on the second ring.
I kept my voice light and said, “Hey.” “Now is the time.”
There was a pause, and then Mom’s usual, direct voice came through. “Finally.” “This is the time I’ve been waiting for.”
Mom didn’t like Mike. The day I introduced them, she saw right through his flashy front. The best part, though? She helped us get this house. Mike thought he had gotten a great deal because of her, but now she was going to make him lose it.
As I hung up the phone, I felt a strange sense of relaxation. I was done playing a role.
When my phone rang the next morning, I was making breakfast in my new little flat. As Mike’s name flashed across the screen, I smiled.
“Hello?” I gave a sweet answer.
“You set me up!” Mike was so angry that his voice was almost foaming at the mouth.
As I leaned against the counter and put the phone on speaker, I grabbed a piece of toast. “Excuse me, what are you talking about?”
He yelled, “Your mother!” “She’s… she’s in my house!” Everything is hers now!”
As I ate my toast, I said, “Oh, right.” “Remember that deal we made when she gave us the down payment?” The one where she can live whenever and for however long she wants?”
I could almost hear the gears in his brain spinning during the long pause. I could see the look on his face as he came to terms with what was going on.
Years ago, he signed that paper without even reading it twice because he was too excited about the nice house.
“You!” You lied to me! It’s not over yet. I’m going to get lawyers—”
Before he could finish, I heard my mom’s voice over the phone. It was clear and sharp. “Michael, get off that coffee table! “Stop taking the remote!”
A loud noise made it sound like Mike had turned away from the phone and was trying to whisper. I told Barbara, “This is my house.”
“Oh, shut up,” Mom said, this time louder. “It’s my house too, not yours.” Also, why are there so many cheap snacks? Do you know where to get food? I’m not going to live on frozen meals!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, so I bit my lip. Mike mumbled something that didn’t make sense because he was so angry, but I heard her again before he could say anything else.
“Turn that TV down!” Do you really think I want to hear that crap all day? If you’re going to watch those stupid car shows, turn them off!”
There was a loud crash, some more mumbling, and then the phone suddenly turned off. As I sat down at the table, I took a big breath and smiled.
It’s never been so sweet to be free.