Stolen Scratch-Off: I Left Her With Nothing

1
At the company's annual party, they handed out gag gifts: a prank scratch-off ticket for everyone. Each one was a winner of a hundred million dollars.
I thought it was lame, so I just took it home without scratching it.
But when I came out of the shower, the ticket was gone, and my wife had a look of pure ecstasy on her face.
I was about to tell her it was a fake.
But in the next second, my mother-in-law burst through the door. Annie, divorce him! Now! I always said this good-for-nothing wasnt worthy of you!
Youre a hundred-millionaire now! You can have any man you want!
Without a second thought, my wife, Annie, agreed. I know, Mom. Ive already made the appointment. Were going tomorrow!
Then she turned to me, her expression a caricature of innocence. Youre not going to try and claim this ticket is yours, are you?
I already checked. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments. Finders keepers.
Liam, my moms right, she said, her voice dripping with contempt. A loser like you isnt good enough for me anymore.
My heart turned to ice.
I turned and quietly put away the gift Id bought her with my million-dollar year-end bonus.
If I wasn't good enough for her, then she didn't deserve any of this.

Did you hear me? Pack your things and get out!
Youre a grown man. Dont tell me youre going to try and squat in this house after the divorce?
My mother-in-law, Brenda, pointed a finger at me, her face a mask of smug triumph. My daughter may be rich now, but shes not stupid.
She suffered with you for years. Its only fair she gets some compensation for her emotional distress!
I was stunned, staring at Annie, trying to process it. You really want a divorce?
She shot me a look, the disgust in her eyes impossible to hide. Thats right.
Ive been married to you for five years, and Ive never even owned a real Herms bag. What good are you?
You never gave me the good life. Now that I have my own money, its only natural that Id divorce you. You brought this on yourself.
I suddenly felt like the worlds biggest fool.
For five years, I had given her my entire paycheckfifteen thousand dollars a monthwithout fail. The house and the car we bought after we married were all in her name. The bags I bought her werent Herms, sure, but some of them cost more than a luxury car.
And she had the nerve to say I never gave her a good life.
Seeing my silence, Brenda thought I was refusing. Dont you even think about trying to steal my daughters ticket! she shrieked. Thats hers! It has nothing to do with you!
You never worked hard enough to support her, and now youre after her money? Youre shameless!
Everyone in the neighborhood says itthat Annie married a freeloader!
And they were right!
Annie turned away. Mom, stop. Its embarrassing just talking about it.
They had no idea. The company had just promoted me to General Manager, with a 5% stake in the business. If it weren't for this, Annie would have been set for life, the wife of a very wealthy man.
But now, it seemed fate had other plans for her.
I looked at them, a cynical smile on my face. The company gave me that ticket at the party. All of my colleagues can vouch for it.
Annie clutched her pocket protectively and then kicked my shin. Are you that desperate for money?
Have some dignity, Liam! The ticket belongs to whoever holds it!
Just then, another figure burst through the door.
He swept Annie up into a hug. Annie, is it true? Did you really win a hundred million?
It was my best friend, Dylan.
Hed given me so much advice when I was trying to win Annie over.
I never imagined he would be holding her in his arms, right in front of me.
And Annie, the moment she thought she was rich, had called him first.
It was obvious what was going on between them.
Annie dropped the act. She wrapped her arms around Dylans neck. Its true, Dylan. From now on, how about I take care of you?
Dylan, I think youre my good luck charm!
It must be because you kissed me today. Thats why I won!
So really, you deserve a share of this prize money!
My head was spinning.
The ticket was stolen from me, so my luck had nothing to do with it. But Dylan cheats with my wife, kisses her, and he gets a cut?
The sight of them made my stomach churn.
I remembered the first time I saw her, feeding stray cats. I was so drawn to her kindness, her innocence. I pursued her for three years, and I cherished her. A few years ago, when the company was struggling, I felt so guilty that I couldn't afford to buy her a nice gift with a bonus.
Now, I finally had a million-dollar bonus to give her.
And a single, fake lottery ticket had shown me just how pathetic my devotion had been.
I took a deep breath. A divorce is fine. But what about the baby?
Just then, Annie covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom, the sound of retching echoing through the apartment.
Brenda followed her. Damn it! Is it that little bastard in your belly making you sick again?
I tried to go to her, but Brenda shoved me back. Dont touch my daughter! The big loser is disgusting enough, we dont need the little freeloader making things worse!
Annie came out, wiping her mouth and glaring at her own stomach. Im not keeping this baby.
Hearing her say that, I actually felt a wave of relief. The thought of the child hurt, but the thought of being completely free of her, with no ties left, made me smile.
She pulled out her phone, frowning as she booked an appointment. I dont care if Im three months along. Im getting rid of it.
Im a hundred-millionaire. Why would I have a baby for a loser like him?
Brenda immediately chimed in. Exactly! Get rid of it!
Were rich now. You can have as many babies as you want later!
I pretended to be angry. You cheated on me with Dylan. Shouldnt you be the one leaving with nothing?
She exploded. Liam! Are you even a man?!
It was your fault! You didnt give me the security I needed in this marriage! Thats why I fell for Dylan!
Youre the one at fault! You should be the one leaving with nothing!
Dylan wrapped his arms around her waist. Annie, baby, maybe the child is mine.
Dont you remember last month, when Liam was on that business trip? We spent days in here together.
Why dont we get a DNA test? If its mine, we can get married right away.
Last month?
I suddenly remembered. That night I video-called her, she was breathing heavily, covered in sweat. She said she was working out. I guess this is the kind of workout she meant. My best friend had been sleeping with my wife behind my back.
Seeing my silence, Annie thought I was going to fight her. Liam! You dont get a say in this! she shrieked. If you agree to the divorce, I might be generous and let you have the house!
Hearing that, I put on a heartbroken expression and nodded. Fine. Ill take the house. Lets go get divorced now.

2
Annie practically ran out the door, terrified I would change my mind.
At the courthouse, the clerk handed us the paperwork. Have you agreed on the division of assets?
Annie snatched a pen. The house goes to Liam, she scribbled. We dont need to split the savings. Its not like he has any money anyway.
Brenda nodded from the side, sneering. Gets a free house just for a divorce. Youre really something, Liam.
I said nothing, just signed my name with a blank expression.
The moment both signatures were on the paper, Annie let out a sigh of relief. Then she and Dylan left for the hospital.
Brenda turned to me. The divorce isnt final until the certificate is issued! Youre coming with us!
If they need your signature for anything, you sign it. No questions asked! Or my daughter can take the house back anytime she wants!
I swallowed my disgust and agreed. After all, I needed more evidence of her infidelity.
At the hospital, the doctor looked at the ultrasound. A non-invasive prenatal paternity test usually takes five to seven business days. If you want to expedite it, we can get it done in two.
Expedite it! Annie blurted out. I have plenty of money! Do it now!
And if the baby is Liams, schedule an abortion immediately!
An abortion? a voice called from the hallway.
My mother, holding a medical report, hurried over. Annie, youre getting rid of my grandchild?
Id forgotten she had a check-up today. What a coincidence.
Annie sneered. Your son and I are divorced. I can do whatever I want with this baby. Its none of your business.
My mom grabbed Annies arm. Did Liam do something to you? Tell me
Annie shoved her away violently. What mom? Youre not my mother anymore! Youre disgusting!
Trying to cozy up to me now that you know Im rich? Ha! None of you are getting a penny!
My mom stumbled back, her face suddenly pale as she clutched her head.
Mom! I rushed to steady her. Its okay. If she wants to get rid of it, let her. I can handle this.
She was trembling in my arms, her lips turning purple. Dont dont
You old hag! Brenda shrieked at my mom. Even if you fake your death right here, my daughter is never getting back with your loser son!
Besides, the baby in her belly might not even be his!
At those words, my moms face contorted in pain.
My heart sank. These were the signs of a stroke.
Doctor! I yelled. My mom is having a stroke! Somebody help!
Dylan just scoffed. Annie, dont fall for it.
They know youre rich now. Theyre just trying to squeeze some money out of you before the divorce is final.
Its a pathetic act.
Annie glanced over, her expression mocking. Your mom is just faking it.
Besides, I barely pushed her. Even if she does die, it has nothing to do with me.
I froze. My mom had treated her better than she treated me, her own son. She cooked for her every day, even gave Annie her own retirement savings for vacations. When she found out Annie was pregnant, she immediately bought a hundred grams of gold to give her as a gift.
And now, Annie could say something so monstrous.
Before I could react, she was gone, dragging Dylan and Brenda with her.
I didn't spare them another thought, rushing my mom to the emergency room.
Half an hour later, I saw a new post from Dylan. It was a video of him and Annie, kissing in the citys most expensive nightclub, shouting, Drinks are on me! For the whole bar!
The whole bar?
A night there cost a fortune. The average person spent at least twenty thousand dollars.
I let out a cold laugh and immediately cancelled the supplementary credit cards and shut off the family payment accounts I had set up for Annie.
Sure enough, a few hours later, my phone rang. It was Annie, furious. Liam! How dare you cancel my cards!
Get your ass down here and pay this bill!
I laughed. Were getting divorced, and you want me to pay your bar tab?
Annie, do you really think Im that stupid?
She paused, then said, Ill pay you back tomorrow! After I cash the ticket!
Its only five hundred thousand dollars. Are you really going to be this petty?
I said nothing. I just hung up and blocked her number.
Did she really think I would still spoil her like I used to?
Did she really think any of that was her money?
After hanging up, I dialed another number. Hello, Mr. Peterson? I have a case for you.

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