The next two weeks, I played my role perfectly.
I smiled, laughed, had dinner with his mother like nothing was wrong.
“I just got a bonus,” I said one night. “Maybe we’ll save for a down payment soon.”
They exchanged looks instantly.
Jeremy squeezed my hand. “Maybe we should keep renting.”
“Of course,” I smiled.
Keep renting… their own apartment.
I even handed over my usual $1,000 on the 27th.
But behind the scenes, I was preparing.
December 28. Execution day.
Jeremy left for work.
“Love you,” he said.
“Love you too,” I replied sweetly.
Then I got to work.
I packed everything I owned — clothes, furniture, even the coffee maker.
Then I went to the bank.
We had a joint account. My paycheck had been going there.
I emptied it.
Every. Last. Cent.
Then I moved into my new apartment — paid using Jeremy’s money.
When Jeremy came home, the apartment was empty.
Except for a letter:
“Dear Jeremy,
Hope you enjoy YOUR apartment.
Since you and your mother had fun scamming me for two years, I figured it was time to return the favor.
My new apartment is already paid — by you.
Don’t bother calling. I blocked you.
Happy New Year.
— Nancy”
Then I disappeared.
A week later, I ran into his mother.
She looked like she’d aged ten years.
“Please let me explain—”
“Explain how you stole $24,000 from me?” I cut in.
“We were going to tell you—”
“When? After I paid off your mortgage?”
I leaned closer.
“If Jeremy doesn’t agree to my divorce terms and repay every cent, I’ll file fraud charges.”
She went silent.
Three months later, I sat in my new apartment, holding signed divorce papers.
Jeremy agreed to everything — full repayment plus interest.
My phone buzzed.
“He looks miserable,” Taylor texted. “His mom is selling the unit and moving away.”
I smiled.
Jeremy called me 27 times that night.
I never answered.
For two years, I was their fool.
But not anymore.
Some say living well is the best revenge.
But you know what’s better?
Living well in a home you actually own — paid for with money you took back from the people who tried to steal from you.
Some call it cruel.
I call it justice.
Leave a Comment