After saving money as if my life depended on it, I thought I was finally ready to go to my late father’s grave to say goodbye.
But what I didn’t know was that my husband would try to foil my plans.
He wanted to steal my money for his own use, but I made him pay dearly for it!
I’ve been married to Ethan for four years.
We are a regular couple with no kids, we have had our ups and downs.
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I loved him, or at least I thought I did, until one day everything changed in an instant.
I had only one dream, to visit my father’s grave in Europe.
He died a few months ago.
I couldn’t say goodbye to him in person, and the thought kept me going.
So I started saving money.
I work as a nurse, and it wasn’t easy, but I managed to accumulate over $5,000 in a small box in my wardrobe.
That money was my ticket to peace of mind, to finally honouring my father’s memory.
Ethan knew my goal and was always supportive – or at least I thought so.
We didn’t have any extra money, and we often discussed how much was missing, so we had to budget carefully.
I had told him I was going to go to visit my father’s grave in three weeks, and now I was eagerly counting down the days.
A few days later, I got home from work earlier than usual and decided to go straight home.
Ethan had to work the night shift that day, but when I pulled up to our house, I saw the light on in our bedroom.
Curiosity and confusion made me creep over to the window to peek inside, and that’s when I saw…MY MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH.
But the strangest part was that he was kneeling in front of our wardrobe.
When I changed my angle to get a better look, I was overcome with shock!
Ethan was pulling money out of MY secret stash!
To catch him red-handed, I decided to call him from the window.
He reluctantly answered only on the fourth ring.
‘Hello darling, where are you?’ – I asked, as if I wasn’t looking directly at him.
‘Why are you talking so quietly? I’m at work, I told you I’m on the night shift!’ – he replied angrily.
‘Oh, I’m sorry sweetie, I completely forgot. I was going to ask you to make dinner because I’m going to be late,’ I lied.
‘No, I’m sorry, I can’t help. I have to get back to work. Love you, see you later.’
He quickly hung up without even letting me answer.
The next thing I knew, he had his jacket on and was getting ready to leave.
I ran to my car and parked in a secluded spot from where I could watch him.
I decided to follow him and five minutes later he left the house and headed towards the bus stop.
I followed him in the dark and after getting off the bus he walked around the shopping centre for another 20 minutes.
I was surprised when I saw him enter a fishing shop.
My heart sank and I muttered: ‘What is he doing here?’
I parked, quietly followed him into the shop and hid.
What I saw made my blood boil!
There he stood, chatting happily with the salesman, holding the biggest inflatable boat I had ever seen!
Next to him was a trolley full of fishing supplies: spinning rods, boxes of lures and everything imaginable!
He looked like a kid in a sweet shop!
Ethan loved fishing, but this just seemed too weird.
My head was spinning as I thought, ‘How is he going to pay for all this?’
And then the truth hit me like thunder!
MY MONEY!!!
My hard-earned, carefully saved money!
He had to take it!
There was no other explanation!
And indeed, he pulled out the bag he had stuffed my money in and paid with it!
I felt anger flood my face, and before I could realise, I rushed at him!
Ethan! What the hell are you doing?! – I almost screamed.
Heads turned and my husband stared at me, his eyes wide with shock.
Lizzie, what are you doing here? – He muttered, trying to shove the boat back on the shelf.
I should be the one to ask you! – I parried.
Did you take my money?
The money I was saving for my trip?
He blinked, his face a perfect mask of innocence.
What? No, Lizzie, you’re just overworked, that’s why you’re reacting like that.
I didn’t take your money.
I’ve been saving up for this for months.
I couldn’t believe my ears!
He was lying to my face!
I felt tears come to my eyes, but I refused to let them.
Not here, not now.
Don’t lie to me, Ethan,’ I hissed.
You know that money was for something important.
Something that really matters.
And you spent it on a boat?!
Lizzie, calm down,’ he said, grabbing my arm, but I lashed out.
You’re just tired, okay?
Maybe you’re not thinking clearly right now.
Why don’t you go home and we’ll talk about this later?
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I turned around and walked out of the shop, ignoring the stares from the other customers.
As soon as I was outside, tears rolled down my cheeks.
I didn’t know what to do.