I mumbled something about checking on dessert and practically ran to our bedroom.
The drawer where I kept my emergency cash was empty.
$3000 I’d been saving for emergencies, for our future, for the life we were supposed to be building together and every last penny was gone.
I wanted to scream. This betrayal cut deep, but instead of exploding, I took a few deep breaths, fixed my makeup, and returned to the dining room with a smile that would have made the Mona Lisa proud.
If Aaron thought he could steal from me to spoil his witch of a mother and get away with it, I’d just have to prove how wrong he was.
Two days later, I got the perfect chance to do just that.
Aaron had been hinting about getting a top-range gaming laptop for weeks. That evening, when he brought it up while we were sitting together on the sofa, I was ready for him.
“Babe, you know how you got that bonus?
Well, I was thinking… maybe I could use some of it to buy the new laptop I need? My old one restarted five times today, and I don’t think it will keep going much longer.” He gave me those puppy dog eyes that used to make my heart melt.
I smiled sweetly, channeling my inner chess master. “You know what, babe?
You’re right.”
I pulled out my phone and showed him a laptop listing. “I already ordered the best gaming laptop on the market for you.”
I then pulled up the order confirmation email and showed it to him. His eyes lit up like Christmas morning.
“You’re amazing, babe!
When does it arrive?”
“Oh, it arrived this morning.”
He blinked, confused but excited. “Where is it?”
I took a slow, deep breath, savoring the moment like a fine wine.
“Oh, I sent it to your mom’s house. Since you love spoiling her so much, I figured she could use it.
She can play Candy Crush on it. Maybe she’ll even start streaming. Who knows?”
The color drained from his face so fast I thought he might faint.
He jumped up from the couch like it was on fire.
“You sent my laptop to my mom?!”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. “Oh, so it’s a problem when I use my money on your mother? But it wasn’t when you did it behind my back?”
His jaw dropped as he finally realized what was really going on here.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry!” he backpedaled, running his hands through his hair frantically.
“I’ll return the phone! I’ll get your money back!”
“Yes, you will, and you’ll pay the money into my new bank account. From now on, you won’t have access to my money.”
I stood up, ignoring his protests, and pulled out a printed job listing I’d been saving for this exact moment.
“Hope you enjoy your job hunt, babe.
Because your gravy train just ended.”
The next few days were a symphony of apologies from Aaron and angry phone calls from Ruth.
“How dare you treat my son this way!” she screeched through the phone, her voice hitting notes that probably disturbed the neighborhood dogs.
My response was simple: “You don’t steal from the person paying your bills.”
Wouldn’t you know it, Aaron had a job within two weeks. Turns out motivation comes pretty quickly when your safety net disappears.
I’m not sure where we go from here. Marriage counseling, maybe, if he’s willing to put in the work.
But one thing’s crystal clear — Aaron will never touch my money again.
And if he does try anything again? Well, his mother might be the only woman left willing to deal with him. Something tells me Ruth won’t like that very much.
🤔🤔🤔
Source: amomama
