The Divorce He Thought Was Fake

Derek pushed the divorce agreement in front of me.

I glanced at it.

The house goes to him, the car goes to him, savings split fifty-fifty.

Fifty-fifty? I laughed. Theres only thirty thousand in the account. You want to take fifteen thousand?

This is just a fake divorce. He frowned. I need to guarantee a loan for a friends startup. I cant have any debts under my name.

I stared into his eyes.

He looked away.

Fine. I picked up the pen.

He visibly relaxed.

He had no idea Id been waiting three years for this day.

On the day we signed, Derek took half a day off work.

Outside the courthouse, he even put on a show.

Sarah, Im sorry to put you through this. He held my hand. Three months at most. Once I sort out the situation, well remarry.

I nodded.

Ive got it all arranged. Youll move in with my mom for now.

No need. I pulled my hand back. Ill stay at my parents place.

He paused. Your parents place? Thats so inconvenient

Were divorced now. How can I still live with you?

He opened his mouth but said nothing.

When we were processing the paperwork, the clerk asked if wed thought this through.

Derek rushed to answer: Weve thought it through.

I echoed: Weve thought it through.

He relaxed again.

Outside the courthouse, he offered to drive me to my parents house.

No need. I hailed a cab. You go handle your business.

After the car had gone about fifty meters, I saw him through the rearview mirror, standing in place on his phone.

His expression was relaxed, even smiling.

I looked away and sent a text to my best friend, Madison.

Its done.

She replied instantly: Whats next?

Wait.

I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes.

Five years ago when I married Derek, I thought I was marrying for love.

He was three years older than me, working as a sales manager at a private company, making just over twenty thousand a month.

I was an elementary school teacher making eight thousand, later raised to twelve thousand.

When we got married, we bought an apartment on the east side of town.

The down payment was eighty thousand. I paid fifty thousand five years of savings plus twenty thousand from my parents.

He paid thirty thousand.

The monthly mortgage was eight thousand. I covered five thousand, he paid three.

After marriage, I thought we were building our future together.

He thought I was an ATM.

The turning point came three years ago.

That day I came home early and heard him on the balcony on the phone.

Dont worry, just wait a bit longer. When the times right, Ill dump her

I stood in the living room, frozen.

He hung up and turned around. When he saw me, his expression changed for a split second before quickly returning to normal.

Who were you talking to? I asked.

A client. A difficult client. He walked over with a smile. Why are you home so early?

I looked into his eyes and said nothing.

From that day on, I started paying attention.

I opened a bank account he didnt know about and deposited two thousand every month.

I quietly verified the details on our property deed.

I checked his credit report and looked into his assets.

The more I investigated, the colder my heart became.

In five years of marriage, hed registered a company under his name with fifty thousand in capital.

I didnt know a single thing about it.

And our joint savings account always maintained a balance hovering around thirty thousand.

Where did the money go?

I didnt ask.

If I asked, hed have a hundred excuses.

I just waited.

Waited for him to slip up on his own.

Now, hed finally made his move.

A fake divorce.

His reason: guaranteeing a friends loan.

Laughable.

That friend he wanted to help Id already investigated her.

It was a woman.

When I got back to my parents house, my mom Elena looked worried.

Really just one month?

Mom, I know what Im doing.

What about the house?

Temporarily his.

My mom panicked: Are you crazy? You paid the down payment on that house, and youve been paying most of the mortgage every month!

Mom. I held her hand. Its a fake divorce, not a real one. After we remarry in a month, the house will still belong to both of us.

This was Dereks line.

My mom was skeptical: Well you better keep a close eye on things.

Dont worry.

My dad Thomas sat nearby smoking, silent.

Only after my mom went to the kitchen to cook did he speak.

Sweetie, are you hiding something from us?

I looked at him.

Youve always been like this. The bigger the issue, the less you say. He tapped ash from his cigarette. But whatever decision you make, I support you.

My eyes felt hot.

Dad, I might need to stay here for a while.

Stay as long as you want.

That night, Derek sent me a text.

Did you get home okay?

Yes.

Good. Rest well. Once things are sorted here, Ill come get you.

Okay.

The phone screen went dark.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

The next day, I took my annual leave.

Madison asked me: Whats your plan for investigating?

Start with that woman.

You know who she is?

I do. I handed her my phone. I found out a year ago.

On the screen was a photo.

A young woman, around twenty-six or twenty-seven, with long hair and delicate features.

The photo was taken at a caf.

Derek sat across from her.

They were smiling.

This is Madisons eyes widened.

Vanessa Clarke, the accountant at his company. I said. That company Derek owns on paper its his, but she has a share too.

How do you know?

Public business registration records. Two shareholders: Derek owns sixty percent, Vanessa Clarke owns forty.

Madison gasped.

Theres more. I pulled up another image. This is another property under Dereks name, on the west side of town. Eighty-three square meters.

What? He has another apartment?

Yes. Bought two years ago. Down payment of forty thousand, mortgage of one hundred twenty thousand. The delivery address on the purchase contract is Vanessa Clarkes address.

Madison looked at me: How long have you been investigating?

On and off, three years.

She was silent for a moment: Why didnt you confront him earlier?

Not enough evidence. I put my phone away. And I wanted to see how far hed actually go.

And now?

Now, I smiled slightly, hes delivered himself to my doorstep.

In the fake divorce agreement, the house goes to him, the car goes to him.

This house is worth three hundred fifty thousand.

This car is worth twenty-three thousand.

And the joint savings only listed thirty thousand.

He thought I didnt know his company made over eighty thousand in profit last year.

He thought I didnt know about his apartment on the west side.

He thought I was an idiot.

He wanted to use a fake divorce to leave me with nothing.

Then openly be with that woman.

Too bad he miscalculated.

Three days after the divorce, Derek called.

Sarah, theres a complication with the guarantee. Might need to wait a few more days.

My tone was calm: How long?

About two or three weeks.

Okay.

Dont worry. When its done, Ill personally come get you and bring you home.

Alright.

After hanging up, I stared at the call log.

Hed stopped calling me honey.

The change came quickly.

Madison asked me out to dinner and wanted to know my next move.

Im going to meet someone.

Who?

Dereks mom.

Why would you meet her?

To test the waters.

The next day, I brought fruit to my ex-mother-in-law Helens house.

When she saw me, her expression showed a moment of awkwardness, but quickly returned to normal.

Sarah, come in and sit.

Helen, I came to check on you.

She took the fruit: Youre so thoughtful, even after the divorce.

I laughed coldly inside but kept my face neutral.

Helen, whats Derek been busy with lately? He mentioned guaranteeing a loan for a friend. Whos this friend?

Her hand paused.

Im not really sure. I dont get too involved in Dereks business.

Really? I smiled. Is this friends last name Clarke?

Her expression froze.

Vanessa Clarke, right? I looked at her. Helen, have you met her?

The living room fell silent for a few seconds.

She set down the fruit, her face changing: Sarah, what are you implying?

Nothing. I stood up. Just asking.

You She pointed at me. Youre divorced and youre still here causing trouble?

Helen, Im not causing trouble. I picked up my bag. Your son started this with me. Fake divorce, ha.

That was for your own good! Once the guarantee thing is done

Helen, I interrupted her, how old is the child Vanessa Clarke gave him?

Her face went white as a sheet.

I walked to the door and looked back at her.

Tell Derek I have something for him.

Outside the complex, I called Madison.

Confirmed. Theres a child.

How can you be sure?

Her reaction. I took a deep breath. Also, that phone call three years ago when Derek said when the times right Ill dump her I finally understand what he meant.

Madison fell silent on the other end.

Their child should be over two years old now. I said. The timing matches perfectly. Three years ago was right when that child was conceived.

Sarah

Im fine. My voice was calm. I was mentally prepared for this.

But after hanging up, I squatted by the roadside and cried for a long time.

Not because I was heartbroken.

But because the breath Id been holding for three years finally had an outlet.

Derek quickly learned Id visited his mother.

He called, his tone clearly off.

Sarah, what were you doing at my moms?

Checking on her.

Why were you asking her about Vanessa Clarke?

I didnt say much. Just asked who this friend you need to guarantee for is.

Silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Sarah, what exactly are you trying to do?

Me? I laughed. Im not trying to do anything. But what about you, Derek? What are you trying to do?

He hung up.

That evening, he showed up downstairs at my parents building.

Sarah, we need to talk.

I went downstairs and stood in front of him.

Talk about what?

Did you find something out? His eyes were evasive.

What do you think?

He licked his lips: Vanessa shes just my business partner. Dont misunderstand.

Business partner. I nodded. And that apartment on the west side is also part of your business venture?

His expression changed.

Also, your company made over eighty thousand in profit last year. Your share is sixty thousand. Wheres that money?

He took a step back: How how do you know this?

Derek, I looked at him, did you think I was an idiot?

He opened his mouth but couldnt speak.

The fake divorce agreement house goes to you, car goes to you, thirty thousand in savings split in half. I enunciated each word. You planned to leave me with nothing, then openly be with Vanessa Clarke, didnt you?

His expression finally cracked.

Sarah, let me explain

I dont want to hear it. I turned toward the building.

Wait! He rushed after me. The divorce agreement is already signed. Its too late to back out!

I stopped.

Turned to look at him.

Who said Im backing out?

He froze.

Derek, I signed that divorce agreement. I dont regret it. I said. I just wanted to tell you I have more on you than you think.

What what do you mean?

Nothing much. I smiled slightly. Just think carefully about what youve done to me these past five years. Then wait for my lawyers letter.

I went into the building without looking back.

Behind me came his voice: Sarah! Sarah, stop right there!

I ignored him.

The moment I closed the building door, I heard him violently kicking it from outside.

Sarah! Dont push me!

I frantically pressed the elevator button.