Craving My Savings? No Way!

Even in the middle of frantically searching for me, he somehow found time to text Anita.

[Honey, be careful on your way to the prenatal checkup. Watch your step!]

[Be good for me, okay? I miss you. Love you!]

A sharp pang shot through my heart.

Deke and his ex... were having a baby?

And I didn't even know when he got married—when he built this whole secret life behind my back.

A few minutes later, another message popped up.

[I'll start showing in two months. When are you finally going to break up with that woman?]

[I'm your wife now. Why are you still tangled up with someone else?]

My heart clenched, splintering into pieces.

I'd assumed Anita was just as clueless as I was. Maybe even thought about reaching out, exposing Deke together.

But now? That wasn't necessary.

They were a perfect match—both despicable.

Then, another notification. This time, from Deke's mother, Cassandra.

[Deke, you can't even fool a naive girl?]

[Did you forget everything I taught you?]

The woman who'd always been so sweet to me—she was in on it too.

I gripped the desk, breath hitching. A full minute passed before I could move again.

Three years. Every moment, every promise, every I love you—all a lie.

All that effort just to scam my savings. Pathetic.

I memorized Anita’s chat app username and slipped out of the study.

***

Half an hour later, Deke stormed in, drenched in sweat.

He kicked the door open, cursing under his breath. "That witch actually touched my money. She's got some nerve. Just wait till she gets back—I'll beat her to death!"

Leaning against the dining table, I took a slow sip of water. "Oh? You're gonna beat me?"

He froze. His brows scrunched so tight they practically knotted together.

Face darkening, he marched over and clamped his hand around my wrist. "Zoey, where did you transfer our money?"

I set my glass down and pulled free, walking straight to the couch.

"Be precise. That fifty-six grand was my money, not ours." I lounged back, crossing my legs. "In the last two years, you just saved eleven grand. And now you wanna claim it all?"

His fists clenched, Adam's apple bobbing. For a second, I thought he'd swing.

Instead, he ground his teeth, keeping his temper in check. "We're supposed to get married. That makes it our money. You took it without telling me—what did you even do with it?"

I crossed my legs, not even sparing him a glance. "Bought a house."

His pupils shrank.

"What did you just say?" His voice shot up.

I hated repeating myself. So I didn't. Just grabbed my phone and started playing a game.

That was the last straw.

With a furious yell, he lunged and smacked the phone out of my hands. It hit the floor with a loud crack, the screen shattering.

His face twisted, panic mixing with rage. "You spent our money on a house?! What about me?!"