The Five Million Dollar Payback
The second accounts memo field read: The Real Home.
A cold dread washed over me. The real home?
I called my husband, Liam, keeping my voice level. Why is there an extra electricity bill under your name? For a property I don't recognize?
I could hear the click of a keyboard on his end. He sounded unconcerned, even a little bored.
Oh, thats just my mothers account. She cant figure out how to use the app, so I linked her place to mine to pay it for her. You know how she is.
I called him a good sonsuch a good sonand hung up. Then I opened the monthly usage details for that second account.
The power consumption was higher than ours. Worse, the peak usage times were every weekend, precisely when Liam and I were sleeping in separate rooms.
I wrote down the address, grabbed my keys, and started the car.
1
The navigation ended at The Pinnacle Residences, the most exclusive high-rise development in the city. The apartments here cost at least twice what our house was worth.
I parked on the street and looked up at the towering glass facade, bright with the evening lights.
The security guard stopped me at the gate. I gave him Liams full name and, chillingly, the exact utility account number.
He snapped off a salute and let me through.
The elevator stopped at the twenty-sixth floor.
I stood before the heavy steel door, took a deep breath that did nothing to calm my heart, and pressed the doorbell.
A set of light, quick footsteps approached from inside, followed by a young womans voice.
Honey, I thought you went out for soy sauce? Why are you ringing the bell?
The door swung open.
A woman stood there in a dove-gray silk slip dress, holding a half-eaten green apple.
She saw me and froze.
And I froze.
I knew that face intimately.
It belonged to Sierra, the scholarship student I had been sponsoring for the last six years.
The slip dress she was wearing? I had bought it last month. I hadn't even had time to clip the tag before it disappeared. Liam had said the cleaning lady must have misplaced it.
It looked much better on her.
The apple slipped from Sierras hand and rolled across the polished floor, stopping at the toe of my boot.
A-Ava? she stammered.
I looked at her, my face a carefully constructed blank, and pushed past her into the apartment.
In the entryway were two pairs of slippers: one pink, fuzzy rabbit pair, and one pair of soft gray linen ones. The gray pair I had crocheted for Liam myself.
The living room was vast. A thick wool rug covered the floor in front of the picture window, and little plastic pieces of a partially built LEGO castle were scattered across it.
On the feature wall hung a massive wedding photo.
In it, Liam had his arm tight around Sierras waist. They were laughinga blinding, joyful laugh that felt like a physical assault on my eyes.
Who is it? Why are you so quiet?
The sound of a flushing toilet preceded the opening of a bathroom door.
Liam walked out, drying his wet hair with a towel, wearing only a low-slung bath sheet.
He looked up and his hand, mid-wipe, froze in the air.
The oxygen seemed to be sucked out of the room.
I walked to the coffee table and picked up the half-finished LEGO castle.
Is this the house you linked to help your mother pay her electric bill?
I opened my hand.
The LEGO castle crashed onto the marble floor, shattering into a hundred pieces.
Liam finally reacted. He rushed forward, putting himself between me and Sierra.
What are you doing here? Were you tracking me?
I looked at his naked torso, noting the fresh, faint scratch marks across his chest.
Weve been sleeping in separate rooms on the weekends because you needed to come here to work late, is that it?
Liam scowled. There wasn't a flicker of remorse, only annoyance.
Ava, would you just stop with the passive-aggressive commentary? Since youve already seen everything, theres nothing to hide.
He glanced back at the trembling Sierra, and his expression softened instantly.
Sierra is pregnant. The doctor said she has a fragile constitution and shouldnt be startled.
I laughed out loud.
And me? I just deserve to be startled?
Liam threw the towel onto the marble.
Can you be reasonable for once? Weve been married for five years, and your uterus is completely silent! My mother is going crazy with worry! Im the only son, I cant let my family line die out!
Sierra peeked out from behind him, her voice small and pathetic.
Ava, please dont blame Liam. It was my choice. I dont need a title; all I want is for the baby to be born safely
I swung my arm.
SLAAP!
The sharp crack cut through her manipulative words.
Liam shoved me hard, the force of it sending me stumbling back against the edge of the television console.
Ava! Are you finished with this madness? This is my home. Get out!
2
Clutching my aching lower back, I straightened up.
Your home? Liam, have you completely forgotten who provided the start-up capital for your company and everything else you currently possess?
Liam scoffed, walking over to the coffee table drawer. He pulled out a document and tossed it at me.
I relied on you then, yes, but the company has been profitable on its own for two years. I bought this apartment with my own dividends. Its in Sierras name. It has zero to do with you.
I glanced down at the deed copy.
Sure enough, the owners name was listed, stark and clear: Sierra.
I tore the copy into small pieces and let the fragments drift down in front of them.
Fine. Very fine. Liam, you will pay for what youve done today.
I turned to leave.
His disdainful voice followed me.
Who are you trying to scare? Without me, youre just a worn-out trophy wife who only knows shopping and spa days. Go ahead and sue me! Adultery isnt a crime. Well get divorced, and the assets will be split fifty-fifty!
Back in the car, my hands were shaking so badly I couldnt fasten the seatbelt.
My phone vibrated.
It was Liam.
Dont make a scene. Save yourself some dignity. My mother already knows Sierra is having a boy. If youre willing to accept the situation, the child can call you Mom after its born, and we can go back to how things were. If you decide to go to war, youre the one who loses everything.
He followed that with a screenshot of a bank transfer.
Five million dollars.
Recipient: Sierra.
Memo: Nutritional Support.
I stared at the number, and suddenly, my trembling stopped.
Five million dollars.
That was the exact amount I had withdrawn from the trust fund my father left me just last week. Liam had claimed his company was in a bind and needed emergency capital.
The emergency capital went into the mistresss belly.
I started the car and drove straight to the office. I wasn't going home.
If he thought he could flourish without me, I would show him exactly who was indispensable.
I called Mr. Henderson, our Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Henderson, I need a detailed accounting of every project Liam has handled recently. Send me all the ledgers. Also, freeze every corporate credit card and subsidiary account in his name. Effective immediately.
Mr. Henderson hesitated on the line.
Ms. Ava, Liam is the CEO. Wouldnt this make things irrevocably hostile?
Just follow my instructions.
I hung up and dialed another number.
Elena Delacroix? I need you to draft divorce papers. Also, I need a deep dive into every asset transfer Liam has made over the last six months.
Only after completing all of that did I drive back to our house.
When I opened the door, the house felt terrifyingly cold and empty.
The bouquet of roses Liam had given me last week was still on the entryway table. They had withered, petals scattering across the wood.
I dumped the flowers and the vase into the trash.
In the bedroom, I opened his side of the custom closet and began taking out his clothes, one by one.
The scissors made a satisfying slicing sound as they went through the expensive fabric.
Armani, sliced.
Zegna, sliced.
Hand-tailored shirts, all sliced.
When the last piece was shredded, I kicked the pile of ruined fabric aside, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling until dawn.
3
I was woken the next morning by an insistent pounding on the door.
I opened it to find Carol, Liams mother, standing there, her face contorted with fury.
Behind her were Liam and Sierra, carrying an array of luggage.
Ava! You barren woman, you have the audacity to still be sleeping? Get out of the way and clear a room for Sierra!
Carol shoved past me and marched into the house, pulling a stunned Sierra with her.
Oh, my sweet grandson, we cant have you getting tired. This is the south-facing room; it gets the best light. Youll be in the master suite from now on.
Liam surveyed the remnants of his expensive wardrobe strewn across the bedroom floor. His face was thunderous.
Ava, are you insane? You cut up all my suits?
I leaned against the doorframe, watching the little family unit with cold detachment.
Its my house. Ill cut up whatever I want. As for the three of you, you are trespassing. I can call the police.
Carol pointed a shaking finger at my face.
Your house? Liam bought this house! Youve been living off him for years! Now that hes finally getting an heir, instead of being grateful, youre causing trouble? Im telling you now, Sierra is the mistress of this house. You either serve her, or you get out!
I looked at Carols twisted, furious face, and felt only profound pity.
This house was my pre-marital property, paid for in full. I had only added Liams name to the deed because he had insisted it would make him feel more secure after we married. Now, he was claiming it as his own.
Sierra clung to Carols arm, teary-eyed and miserable.
Mrs. Harrington, please dont yell at Ava. Its all my fault. I shouldnt have come. Ill just go back
Go back where? Liam snatched her arm.
This is your home! Ava, Im giving you a final notice: Sierra is staying here to rest. Either you accept the situation, or you move out.
I walked over to the sofa and sat down, crossing my legs.
Ill move out. The house is worth twelve million. Subtracting wear and tear, give me six million, and Ill be gone immediately.
Liam laughed as if Id told a joke.
Six million? Are you trying to rob me? You havent worked in years. All the household expenses came from my earnings, and I deserve credit for the increase in value. Ill give you two million. Take it or leave it.
Carol chimed in.
Thats generous! Two million for a used wife like you is a steal! Whos going to want a second-hand woman, anyway?
I took out my phone and activated the recording feature.
Say that all again.
Liam lunged toward me, trying to grab the phone.
What are you recording! Ava, Im warning you, dont take this too far!
I sidestepped his reach and stood up.
Since we cant agree, well see each other in court.
I walked into the bedroom to pack a suitcase.
If they wanted to live here, I would let them live here. I just wanted to see how many days they could last in my house without my money.
When I came out dragging my suitcase, Sierra was sitting on the sofa, eating a bowl of Bird's Nest soupan expensive delicacy Liam had imported last month for me to improve my health. I hadn't even opened the package.
Seeing me, Sierra gave a small, triumphant smirk.
Ava, this is delicious. Dont be too upset, though. Its normal as you get older. Not everyone can have children.
I stopped, walked over to her, and picked up the bowl.
I calmly dumped the entire bowl of slimy, sticky liquid onto her head.
The soup and tiny fragments of white mushroom dripped down her hair and across her face.
Agh! My hair! Sierra shrieked, jumping to her feet.
Carol and Liam rushed out of the kitchen.
What happened? What happened?
Seeing Sierras soaked, horrified face, Liam raised his hand to strike me.
I looked at him, my gaze freezing him mid-swing.
If you dare touch me, I will make sure you never work in this industry again.
Liams hand stopped in mid-air. He knew I held too much leverage. All those fraudulent accounts, all those kickbacks hed takenI had the evidence.
He ground his teeth together and slowly lowered his hand.
Ava. Youre cold-blooded. Youll regret this.
I pulled my suitcase and walked out, not looking back at the place I once called home.
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