Linda looked around nervously before continuing. ‘I…I overheard Carl talking last week. He was meeting with a divorce lawyer.’
The floor seemed to tilt beneath me. ‘What?’
Linda nodded grimly. ‘I’m really sorry, Mary. I thought you deserved to know. He’s got the papers ready and everything.’
The pieces fell into place with nauseating clarity. The mop wasn’t just recklessness…it was a message. He wanted to humiliate me, make me feel small before he delivered the final blow.
‘Thank you for telling me, Linda,’ I said, holding back tears. ‘If you’ll excuse me, there’s something I need to do.’
That night, while Carl was on the phone with his insurance company, I slipped into our home office. My hands trembled slightly as I booted up the computer and accessed our financial records.
What I discovered took my breath away. The house, the one Carl was so proud of, was in my name alone.
I remembered signing the papers years ago, and thought it was just another formality Carl had asked me to do while he was busy with ‘more important things’.
And the business we built together? I owned 51 per cent of the stock. Ironically, it was Carl’s credit. Early in our marriage, he had put the controlling interest in my name for tax purposes, figuring I would never realise or question it.
‘It’s just a formality, dear,’ he used to say. ‘You know I make all the decisions in the company.’
All this time I felt powerless, believing Carl was in control. But in reality, all the cards were in my hands. His carelessness and underestimation of me had turned into a terrible failure.
A slow smile spread across my face as I realised the significance of my position. Carl had no idea what awaited him.
The next morning I woke up early and started packing Carl’s things. He watched from the doorstep, looking lost and depressed.
‘What are you doing?’ – he sighed.
I resolutely zipped up his suitcase. ‘What does it look like, Carl? I’m packing your things. You’re leaving.’
Carl’s mouth opened and closed like a fish in water. ‘But this is…’
‘My home,’ I finished for him, allowing myself a small satisfied smile. ‘Even a business! Funny how things work out, isn’t it?’
He ran a hand through his dishevelled hair. ‘Mary, I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to end this way.’
Did he really think I was going to buy his ruse?
‘No, you just wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone we know before handing me the divorce papers. That’s much better, Carl.’
He flinched as if I’d slapped him. ‘It wasn’t like that. I just… I didn’t know how to tell you. Things haven’t been okay between us for a long time.’
‘A mop, Carl? Really?’ I shook my head in bewilderment. ‘You know, for years I’ve convinced myself that your levity is just absent-mindedness. That deep down you cared. But now I see the truth. You stopped seeing me as a human being a long time ago.’
‘That’s not fair,’ he protested weakly.
‘Fair? Was it fair to keep me tied up for months while you planned your exit strategy? Was it fair to treat me like a servant instead of a wife? Was it fair to lavish gifts on your sister while I received cleaning supplies?’
As I was pushing Carl’s bags out the door, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw two stern-looking men in suits.
‘Mrs Anderson?’ – One of them asked.
I stepped forward with my chin held high. ‘Yes, that’s me. How can I help you?’
The man showed off his badge. ‘I’m Agent Roberts with the FBI. We need to ask you some questions about your sister-in-law, Mrs Peterson.’
Carl, who was still lingering in the doorway, turned pale. ‘What does that mean?’ – Stammering, he asked.
‘Mrs Peterson is under investigation for fraud and money laundering,’ Agent Roberts explained, his voice curt and professional. ‘We have reason to believe that she may have involved your business in her illegal activities.’
I turned to Carl, whose facial expression confirmed my suspicions. He knew something was wrong with his sister’s finances.
‘I’d be happy to co-operate fully with your investigation,’ I said calmly. ‘In fact, as a major shareholder in our company, I insist on it.’
Carl’s face contorted with shock and anger. Before he could respond, I added with a smirk: ‘Oh, honey, looks like you’re going to need the mop now more than I do.’ I pointed to his suitcases on the porch. ‘And don’t forget your stuff when you leave.’
‘I’ll talk to my lawyer,’ I said after him as he stumbled toward his car with the FBI agents following him. ‘I’m sure we’ll have a lot to discuss.’
Later that evening, I invited Linda over for a visit. When she entered the house, her eyes widened with surprise.
‘Mary, I thought you were staying with me,’ she said, hugging me warmly.
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride wash over me. ‘Turns out I don’t have to go anywhere. The house is all to myself.’
Linda raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, well, well. Looks like Carl is in for a rude awakening.’