Camille was a firm believer in love, alliances, and playing by the rules. Every expenditure was divided evenly between the two of them for a period of two years. She would give over half of the rent every month, and she would trust her husband to do the same. On the other hand, her sadness evolved into rage when she discovered the truth, which was that he and his mother had been keeping her money and lying about it the whole time. They had the impression that she was naive. That was not the case. Not only was Nancy not going to just go, but she was also going to make sure that they were aware of the consequences of betraying someone.
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It is said that trust is the foundation upon which love is founded. Fairness, equality, and confidence in the guy I tied the knot with were the foundations around which I constructed my marriage.
It is unfortunate that he and his mother built theirs on falsehoods.
As a surgical nurse, I am Camille, and I have never been shy of putting in a lot of effort. Throughout my childhood, I was taught that love should never be one-sided and that both partners in a partnership should do their fair share of the supporting. So, when I got married to Darren, that was the agreement we made: we would divide everything equally.
As he said, he wanted to have an equal companion. I was unaware that he was referring to “equal” in a theoretical sense.
The beginning of it was two years ago. This flat was located by Darren.
He called me during my lunch break and said, “Cam, you have to see it.” I was present at the time. This is incredible. The apartment has two bedrooms, a complete kitchen, and that adorable breakfast nook that you can’t get enough of.
I gave a grin as I was on the phone. How much is it?
“Two thousand dollars every month. Quite satisfactory for this area.”
I had faith in him. We had just tied the knot, and he was so excited that he was virtually jumping about when he took me around that afternoon.
Let’s divide it up, shall we? While we were standing on the balcony, he whispered this to me while he wrapped his arms around my waist.
Without a doubt. The same as usual”
It was mature, well-balanced, and truthful, and it felt that way.
Every month, I gave him the $1,000 that I had set up for rent. In order to purchase food. In order to provide utilities. I paid my half of everything that we agreed to split between us.
For a period of two years.
Everything was going well until a neighbor with a large mouth and a faulty elevator ruined everything.
The evening was a Thursday. Having just finished working a double shift, I was struggling to get home when the elevator came to a halt on the fifth level. Kelsey, the effervescent college girl who was located above, inched her way in.
“Hey!” she began to trill. You are Darren and Linda’s renter, right? “Oh, you certainly are.”
Do you mean Linda and Darren?
“That’s right! His mother. Doesn’t that unit belong to both of them together? I am able to recall the time when they purchased it. During board meetings, Linda would often ramble on and on about the worth of the land.
I blinked my eyes. “Values of the property?”
“That’s right! We have her on the board. After Darren’s ex-girlfriend moved out, I believe they paid a low price for the property. Wow, such a small world!
My gut was in a knot. “Did his ex as well reside there?”
A smirk appeared on Kelsey’s face. Oh, you didn’t happen to know? It occurred to me that… I mean, Linda is constantly gushing about how wonderful it is to rent to family members, and I can’t help but become excited about it.
The doors of the elevator moved open. I hardly came to notice. My mind was racing as I staggered out of the room.
Who was the owner of the flat, Darren and his mother? Is it true that his ex-wife lived there before I did?
As I struggled to find the keys, my hands began to shake.
Not a single thing was true. What is the tale concerning a third-party rental, the lease, the “landlord,” and the situation? Everything is a hoax. Over the course of two years, I had given my own spouse a total of twenty-four dollars.
As well as that, he shared it with his mother.
No, I did not weep. My voice was not heard. Before opening my laptop, I sat down on our sofa, which was the one I had purchased.
There are records of property. It is public knowledge.
It took five minutes to verify that it was true. In clear sight, the act was right there in front of us. Darren Thomas and Linda Thomas are brothers. Co-owners. 5 years ago, in fact. The mortgage was taken out all at once.
I continued to scroll down. One of the names on the tenant file was that of his ex-partner; guess who else had “paid rent.”
The ringer on my phone. A message from Darren that said, “I’m going out to have supper with Mom! Avoid staying awake. Love you with all my heart ❤️
I am a gall.
The screen turned completely dark as I continued to look at the love symbol. I then dialed the number of my closest friend, Brielle.
“They own it,” I said in a solemn tone.
“What is it?”
The flat in question. As well as Darren’s mother. They have controlled it for many years. Moreover, they have been billing me rent throughout the whole process.
The phrase “Oh my god”
Within my hushed voice, I muttered, “I’ve paid him twenty-four thousand dollars.” That is for nothing.
The name Camille. Those things need to be burned.
“I think I will.”
My first step was to create a phony lease. The drawer in the kitchen is still open. printed with newly minted paper. Forwarded by a fictitious “landlord.” It seemed to be genuine. But I was now aware of the reality. The whole thing was a performance, and now it was time for me to give my own.
The next two weeks, I acted out the role of the ideal wife.
On Sunday, would you want me to bring dessert to your mother’s house? I inquired with a broad grin. “Is it true that she just adores that almond tart?”
Darren’s eyes brightened up. “Her love for you will last forever.”
A Sunday arrived. The peas were taken by me. I couldn’t help but chuckle at Linda’s horrible jokes. While I was raising my glass of wine to the concept of “family,” I was fully aware that the snakes who were seated across from me were going to suffocate on their own karma.
“You are positively radiant, Camille,” Linda said.
A cheery response came from me, “Oh, I just got a bonus at work,” I said. “I’m considering putting money aside for a down payment.”
He and her looked at each other. When I saw the tart, I wanted to throw it against the wall.
“Perhaps you should hold off for a little while,” Darren said. The market fluctuates a lot.
I responded with a charming grin, “Oh, of course.” When we have such a wonderful rental situation, why should we be in a hurry?
Wine caused Linda to choke to death.
I tried not to blink.
My last $1,000 was handed up to the recipient on December 27.
Someone kissed my cheek, Darren. “Thank you so much, sweetheart. Yours truly is the finest.
“No,” I said as he walked away, “you are the most stupid person in the world.”
Because the third stage consisted of the takedown.
The next morning, on December 28, Darren gave me a kiss as we parted ways.
It is important that you get home late since my mother and I are preparing supper.
It sounds wonderful. “I adore you!”
“And Darren?” you ask. Just before he went, I added something.
“Are you?”
“You ought to have married someone who was more stupid.”
It was a blink. A “Huh?”
“Not a thing. I hope you have a wonderful day!
When the door was finally shut, I arrived at work ten minutes later.
All of the things that belonged to me were packed. Was it the sofa, the chair, the dish, or the mug that he cherished so much? It’s gone. There was nothing that I left for him.
Subsequently, I drove to the bank.
Was it our joint account, which had been the recipient of my income for the last two years? It was cleaned up by me.
No single cent.
I had already signed my new lease, which was located in a secluded and sunny nook of a modest building located across town. The first month’s payment was received.
with the funds of Darren.
The unit was found to be vacant upon his arrival home. A message was affixed to the window, which was otherwise empty.
Sincerely, Darren
We are grateful for the two years of falsehoods.
Have a wonderful time at YOUR place!
The fact that you and your mother enjoyed “collecting rent” so much led me to the conclusion that I would let you pay for my new one.
And please don’t call. We have blocked you.
Best wishes for the New Year!
— Camille”
My phone was switched off, and I poured myself a glass of wine in the kitchen that I had just moved into. There is no balcony. Not a tart. On the other hand, the tranquility was genuine for the first time in two years.
After a week had passed, I happened to run into Linda in the supermarket.
She had a terrible appearance. Undone hair, eyes that are sunken. After seeing me, she hurried over to me.
It’s Camille! Let me explain, if you don’t mind.
“Could you please explain how you both stole from I?” My words came out as I loaded a bag of oranges. “Or how you appeared to be smiling at me while you were cashing my checks?”
“We had no intention of causing you any harm—”
You mean, really? I drew closer to you. “For two years, you sat across from me, appearing to care about me while you conned me out of every penny. What portion of it doesn’t cause people pain?
There was a tremor in her voice. “Darren is in utter disbelief. Not eating is he doing. He asserts that he continues to love you.
Despite my icy demeanor, I grinned. It is possible for him to love me from afar. From the protection of a lawyer, if possible.”
Her expression became contorted. “What is it that you are looking for?”
What I stated was, “Here is what is going to take place.” “You are going to tell your son that I am going to file a fraud report with the district attorney unless I get every penny back, along with interest,” you said. Additionally, given that you manufactured a fraudulent lease, you may wish to go to legal counsel as well.
“You can’t possibly do that.”
“Give me a chance.” A last grin was given to her by me. Where is Linda? Have you always been asking for the recipe for that almond tart? Suffice it to say that it had a little bit more… roughness. We are grateful to you.
After a period of three months, I found myself sitting at the little kitchen table in my new apartment. The divorce was completed. A complete payback. And an additional ten thousand dollars for harm to the psyche.
My phone rang, and it was Brielle.
My dear. Darren was just seen. He seems to be a depressed raccoon dressed in sweats. Linda is going to relocate to Phoenix, therefore she is selling the condo. My guess is that she won’t be able to supervise the building board without you.
Laughing, I displayed my champagne glass to the audience.
Have you been blown away by the view from my new place? No. It was, however, mine. Moreover, it was truthful.
19 times that evening, Darren made a phone call. I chose not to respond. He sent an email. I was able to prevent him.
I went on with my life.
To any woman who is reading this: if you have a feeling that something is odd, you should investigate it further. Have faith in your instincts. Not a financial strategy for a coward and his mother, your love is a gift that you provide to them.
They depend on you to be overly kind, overly loyal, and overly trustworthy. People like Darren and Linda count on you.
Show them that they are incorrect.
For the simple reason that enjoying a good life is wonderful, but living a good life after having a liar pay you back in full?
Now that’s fairness.
And the flavor is identical to that of almond tart.