I Overheard My Husband’s Chat with His Mate and Realised Why He Really Married Me

Hey love, you wont believe what I overheard it finally made sense why he married me in the first place.

Enough with the flirting, Lena, he snapped, and I could hear the strain in his voice. Im out of patience, this is ridiculous! He paced the spacious living room, constantly fixing his perfectly styled hair. Victors giving us a chance to buy into a development at the groundlevel. In a year those flats will double in value. We put in £100,000 and pull out £200,000!

I was curled up in my deep armchair, tea gone lukewarm, trying to shut my eyes and soak up a bit of silence, but for the second week he wouldnt let me.

Kyle, that £100,000 is my entire cash reserve the safety net for my company. If anything goes pear-shaped, I wont be able to pay staff or buy fabric. You know the seasons coming school uniforms, then Christmas parties

Here we go again with your scraps! Kyle rolled his eyes dramatically. Lena, youre a savvy businesswoman, yet you think like a seamstress on a tight budget. Your workshop isnt going anywhere, but this is a onceinalifetime opening. Victors my best mate; he wouldnt steer us into junk. Hes putting his own money in too.

I sighed. I loved Kyle his youthful spark, those burning eyes, the way he could turn a phrase and make me feel special. When we met three years ago I was 45, he 37. I owned a chain of tailoring studios and a small production unit, used to carrying the whole load. My first husband left me for a younger woman, taking our teenage son and a mountain of debt. I clawed my way back, built the business, raised my boy. Then Kyle showed up charming, easygoing, never demanding I be some iron lady. I melted.

He worked as a sales manager for a construction firm, not exactly a highflyer, but I didnt mind. What mattered was that he greeted me after work with a hot dinner, brought flowers for no reason, and whisked us off to the sea for a holiday.

Lately his projects got a bit pushy. First a pricey car to match the husband of a business owner, then crypto schemes. Now this construction deal.

Kyle, let me think it over, okay? I need to check the paperwork, maybe talk to a solicitor.

Which solicitor? Your ancient grandpa Bernard? Hed tell you to stash cash under the mattress. Listen, we need to move fast. Tomorrows the last day to lock in this price. Victors already holding the reservation.

He knelt in front of me, took my hands, his palms warm. Lena, trust me. Im doing this for us. I want you to stop working all day and actually relax. Well build a house, travel, live better. For our future.

I stared into his deep brown eyes, wanting to believe he truly cared, not just chasing easy money.

Alright, I whispered. Ill go to the bank tomorrow morning, but I need time to arrange the transfer.

Youre amazing! he shouted, scooping me up and twirling me around despite my protests. Well be millionaires, Ill call Victor right now, hell be thrilled!

The next day I did go to the bank not to withdraw cash, but to verify the accounts. That inner voice that once warned me against a shady supplier kept whispering, Dont rush. The day turned chaotic: the main sewing machine broke, the tax office dropped by for a surprise audit, and I was a hamster on a wheel signing papers, calming staff, and feeling my head pound like a jackhammer.

I decided to head home early, ditch the office laptop, just soak in a hot bath. Pulling into the driveway I spotted an unfamiliar black SUV at the entrance. Probably a neighbour, I thought, parking my car.

The flat was quiet. I slipped my key in, eased the door open. From the living room came muffled voices and clinking glasses.

Strange, Kyle never mentioned guests, I thought, about to shout Im home! but something held me back. The tone was off too loud, too familiar.

I slipped off my shoes, tiptoed down the hallway, and peeked at the slightly ajar livingroom door.

Well, brother! Finally got her on board? a hoarse laugh echoed. It was Victors voice.

Exactly! Kyle drawled, smug as ever. I told you its all about the pitch a bit of flattery, a few kneels, and shell wire the money tomorrow.

I pressed my back against the wall, heart thudding.

Ten grand? Victor asked.

Ten. Shell pull everything clean. Silly old lady, thinks were building a fancy complex.

Complex? In our heads, maybe, Victor chuckled. She wont see through it? Docs, everything?

Docs? Shes clueless. Ill slip her a loan agreement for a oneday company, shell sign. She trusts me like a saint, loves me to bits. Kyle, Kyle

A glass was being poured.

Heres to your acting skills! Victor toasted. Dont you feel a bit sick? Shes not a bad woman, looks after herself.

Looks after herself Kyle snorted. Check her neck, her hands. No amount of cream will hide the fact shes a workhorse. Every night I lie in bed picturing Svetlana. Shes already packing her bags. Once the cash hits, were off to Bali. Ill tell Lena Im off to a site meeting, then disappear.

Victors voice turned admiring. Hardcore, huh? What if she reports us?

She wont. Shes proud. Shed rather die of shame than admit a young golddigger duped her. The loan agreement will look legit; the company will just go bust. Business risk, darling.

I slid down the wall onto the floor, my legs giving way, a cold rush flooding me. Every word Kyle had whispered yesterday the kiss on my hand, the promises hammered into my brain like a hot nail. Three years of living a dream, thinking it was love, turned out to be a cold business plan.

I wanted to burst into the room, flip the table, smash his smug grin, scream until the glass shattered. But I stayed still. Decades of running a business, dodging gangsters in the 90s, bribing officials in the 2000s, had forged steel inside me. A tantrum would be a gift to the enemy, a sign of weakness. I wasnt weak.

Slowly, controlling each breath, I rose, grabbed my shoes, and slipped out as silently as Id come in. On the landing I called the lift, rode down, got into my car. My hands trembled on the wheel, but my mind was crystal clear.

Bali, Svetlana, a oneday company, I thought, watching the flats where two vultures were now eyeing my skin.

I started the engine and drove not to a mothers house for a sob, nor to a friends, but to my office. In the safe sat my passport, incorporation papers, and the company seal.

Two hours later I was back, bags of takeaway from a fancy restaurant and a bottle of topshelf whisky. I flung the door open, dropped my keys, and shouted, Kyle! Im home! My voice rang with relief.

Kyles head popped out, a forced smile in his eyes, a flash of panic behind them.

Lena! Early today. Were having a meeting with Victor, celebrating your wise decision.

I walked in, beaming. Victor, hello! Glad youre here. Ive got plenty of food, lets celebrate!

Victor, a stout man with twinkling eyes, rose to greet us. Mrs. Hart, a pleasure! Glad youre on board. Big money loves the decisive.

Yes, Ive thought it through, I said, laying out the platters. Enough of scrambling for gold. We need to grow. Kyle opened my eyes.

I kissed Kyle on the cheek; he tensed then relaxed.

Youre my clever one, he purred, pulling me close. I knew youd back me up.

Of course, darling. Tomorrow were hitting the bank. Ive already ordered cash safer than transfers and fees. Well take it all and hand it to Victor under a receipt.

Victors eyes lit up. Cash perfect! Thats the way we do it.

The evening blurred into a haze. I smiled, poured whisky, listened to their toasts about a bright future. I stared at Kyle, wondering how Id missed the fake smile, the cold calculation. Love really is blind, but betrayal is a sharpeyed optometrist.

When Victor staggered out, humming a tune, Kyle wrapped his arms around me.

Ready for bed? Big day tomorrow.

Yes, love. Go shower, Ill tidy up.

Lying next to the man whod tried to ruin me, I couldnt close my eyes. I heard his steady breathing and, in my mind, said goodbye not just to him, but to my naïveté the moment his laughter echoed down the hallway.

Morning came, I woke him with a kiss.

Get up, future millionaire! Moneys waiting.

He sprang up, dressed in his best suit, spritzed on cologne.

Ready! Lena, you got the passport?

Of course.

We drove to the bank. Kyle chattered nonstop, sketching out the house wed build. I nodded, watching the city whizz by.

In the VIP meeting room, the bank manager, a friend of mine, placed five thick bundles on the table £100,000 in cash. Kyle stared, mesmerised, his hands inching toward the stack.

Shall we release it? the manager asked.

Yes, I said. Please process.

I signed the withdrawal slip, and the money slid into my bag.

Alright, off to Victors office! Kyle urged as we stepped outside. Hes waiting with the notary.

I stopped by my car. Hold on, Kyle, I said. I have a surprise for you.

What? No time! he fidgeted.

Its quick. Sit.

I opened the boot, pulled out a large sports suitcase, and set it on the pavement.

Whats that? Are we heading to Bali right now? he asked, eyes wide.

I laughed, short and sharp. Youre not going anywhere. Where were you planning to go? To Svetlana? Or straight to my mum?

His smile faded, his face went pale.

Lena, what are you talking about? Whos Svetlana?

The one you were supposed to run off with on my money. The one you picture when you lie in bed as if at work. I heard everything yesterday when I came home early.

Kyle opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He looked like a fish out of water.

I heard every word old fool, oneday company, how Ill ditch you.

This this was a joke! Victor and I were just drunk! You misunderstood! He lunged for my hand, but I pulled away.

Dont touch me. Never again. In this suitcase are your things the underwear, socks, those cheap suits you bought before me. Im taking the car its registered to the company. Your cards linked to my account? Blocked half an hour ago.

You cant! Were married! Half the money is mine!

Those funds? I slapped the bag of cash. No, love. Thats company money. I withdrew it for business needs. You have no claim. And about our assets You told Victor, Shell stay silent because shes proud. Im not proud; Im smart. I already sent our conversation to our oldtimer solicitor. Yes, I have a recorder in the living room I put it there to watch the housekeeper, but it caught you.

Kyle staggered back, realizing the game was lost. The mask of the loving husband fell, revealing a terrified fraudster.

Lena, please! It was the devils work! Victor pushed me! I love you, honestly! Dont throw me out! I have nowhere to go!

Go to Svetlana. Maybe shell take you. Without money, she wont need you.

I got into my car, locked the doors, rolled down the window.

Goodbye, Kyle. Divorce papers will be mailed. Dont ever try to approach me or my business. As you said, everythings under control. I might not send you to prison, but Ill make sure Bali is a nightmare you only see in your sleep.

I floored it, leaving him stranded on the car park with his suitcase and an empty hand.

I drove through the city, tears streaming down my cheeks. It hurt horribly. My hopes shattered, my faith in people cracked. Yet another feeling rose: relief. Id rid myself of a parasite, saved my company, and kept my dignity.

The suitcase of cash sat on the passenger seat.

Nothing, I thought, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. Ill invest in new equipment, buy those Japanese machines Ive always wanted, and take a holiday. Alone. Maybe Bali after all, or better yet Italy where men appreciate women of any age, not just their wallets.

That evening I sat at the kitchen table with my son, Arthur, now a grownup, listening intently.

Mum, Ill give him a proper punch, he said, clenching his fist.

No, love. No need for violence. Hes already punished himself. He lost everything chasing a ghost. We have everything we need.

I poured tea, took a bite of a cake from my own little patisserieboutique, and for the first time in days tasted food again.

My phone buzzed a message from Kyle: Lena, lets talk. Ill explain everything.

I hit Block. Then I opened Victors contact and did the same.

Life moved on. I promised myself to stay beautiful, because now theres no lie holding me back. I know its better to be single and strong than stuck with someone who keeps cash in his pocket. Love will come again, but next time Ill check the passport and the credit score first.