Nicole’s Secret Plan
After years of marriage where Mike was obsessed solely with material wealth, Nicole unexpectedly agrees to give him everything in the divorce.
But while Mike is enjoying his ‘triumph,’ her mocking laughter gives away that Nicole has a secret plan. Mike has no idea what’s in store for him.
I walked out of the lawyer’s office with a blank expression, slumped shoulders, looking like a defeated ex-wife.
The rain was pouring like a bucket, and the grey sky matched my mood perfectly – or at least the mood I wanted to show.
But inside, I was lisping.
My hands gripped the cold metal door handle, and I stepped into the lift. There was no one around. Great.
The lift doors closed with a soft clang, and, left alone, I couldn’t hold back a slight giggle. It was like champagne finally popping out of the bottle.
The more I thought about what I had just done, the louder my laughter became. Soon I was laughing like crazy in the confined space of the lift.
If anyone had seen me at that moment, they would have thought I had lost my mind from stress.
But really, this was just the beginning. Everything was going perfectly.
The house, the car, the savings – Mike could have it all. That’s exactly what I wanted.
He thought he’d won, and that was the best part of the plan.
He had no idea what awaited him.
The lift came to a soft stop and I quickly pulled myself together.
I glimpsed my reflection in the lift mirror: dishevelled hair, tired eyes, and a faint smile still playing on my lips. But I didn’t care.
There was real fun ahead.
** A few weeks ago… **
Mike and I had been unhappily married for a long time, but this was more than just a cooling of the relationship.
Mike was obsessed with his looks.
He was only interested in expensive cars, the biggest house in the neighbourhood and designer clothes.
It was all empty showmanship, and I had played my part in the act for far too long.
The cracks began to show, and as the fights became more frequent, I realised that divorce was inevitable.
But I wasn’t afraid of divorce.
I knew Mike, and I knew exactly how it was going to be.
He didn’t care about saving the marriage. No, he was only interested in winning– the house, the money, the divorce itself.
I wanted to be free of this superficial lifestyle.
But that didn’t mean I was gonna let him use me.
I decided to give Mike everything he wanted, but with one sharp-as-a-blade catch.
It happened one evening when he came home late.
I was in the kitchen pretending to look through my phone and didn’t even look at him when he walked in.
We need to talk,” he said.
I sighed, in a deliberately bored tone:
Now what about?
He tossed his keys on the table, and I felt his irritation fill the room.
He was always like this when things were going badly at work.
That’s it. I’m done with this. I want a divorce.
I looked up at him.
Finally.
I nodded slowly, as if I’d just realised what he’d said, even though I’d been ready for this moment for a long time.
Okay,” I replied simply.
He frowned, clearly surprised.
That’s it? You’re not going to argue? Persuade me to stay?
I shrugged.
Why should I?
He froze, stunned by my calmness. He thought I was going to beg him to change his mind.
But I was just giving him a rope to hang himself with.
**The divorce was as unpleasant as I expected.
We sat across from each other in the conference room, surrounded by lawyers, while Mike listed everything he wanted.
A house, a car, savings, he sounded like he was ordering at a restaurant.
And all the while, a smug smile played across his face.
I agree,” I said in an indifferent tone. – You can have it all.
My lawyer gave me a surprised look.
Are you sure?
I nodded.
Mike froze.
Wait. What?
All yours,” I repeated calmly.
His shock was quickly replaced by triumph.
Great. Then I want you out of the house by tonight.
Of course,” I said.
He lifted his chin, clearly feeling victorious.
And I let him think so.
This brings us back to the moment when I was standing in the lift, barely containing my laughter.
The continuation of the story follows, and every moment will be filled with surprises.
**A few days later… **
I was sitting in the small flat I’d rented on loan. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was exactly what I wanted: simplicity, silence, and time to think.
Mike is probably already celebrating his ‘victory’ with his friends.
I could imagine him telling everyone how smart he was, how cleverly he’d beaten me.
His smug face flashed before me, but instead of anger, I felt only satisfaction.
The plan began to unfold.
While Mike had been dividing up his assets, I’d spent months preparing myself.
I recognised his weaknesses.
His tax fraud, his deals with shady partners, the money he kept in offshore accounts.
He thought I didn’t know what was going on.
Thought his secrets were safe.
But unfortunately for Mike, I’ve long since become a master of surveillance.
And now it’s all gonna be used against him.
** First move. **
I opened my laptop to check my e-mails.
A message from my new lawyer was waiting for me.
Nicole, the paperwork’s done. All that’s left is your approval.
I nodded after reading that and sent the confirmation.
Everything was going according to plan.
The evidence I’d gathered would begin to take effect in a few days.
Financial audits, the IRS, maybe even a criminal investigation.
Not only would Mike lose everything he’d won from me, but he’d face the consequences of his actions.
And most importantly, he’ll realise he underestimated me.
** A few weeks later.**
Mike called me, which was rare.
I looked at the phone screen and grinned.
He was clearly panicked, his voice shaking.
Nicole, you have to help me!
Really? Why do I have to help you all of a sudden?
You’re the one who set this up! The audits, the frozen accounts, it’s all you!
And you thought you could keep your dirty deeds a secret?
Mike stopped talking. I could almost hear him gathering his thoughts.
You can’t do this! We were married!
I laughed.
You chose to do this, Mike. You wanted to take everything? Congratulations, you have everything now.
I hung up before he could continue.
Final.
I sat on the terrace of the small house I’d bought with my savings.
A warm breeze ruffled my hair, and the sunset painted the sky in bright colours.
This new life wasn’t as luxurious as the old one, but it belonged to me.
No pretence, no games.
I took a sip of tea and smiled, knowing that Mike was busy fighting for his survival right now.
Sometimes freedom wasn’t just the absence of chains, but the ability to make the other person realise how tightly they held them.
