I Gave Up Everything for His Farm Dream—Then Found Out He Was Bankrolling Another Woman

I sold my family’s house by the lake and even let go of my car so Jake could chase the dream he’d shared with me. I believed in him without question—until a single phone call, ten minutes after I set out for the bank, showed me he had a secret life I never knew about.

Early one morning, I sat on the edge of our threadbare mattress and watched Jake breathing softly. In sleep, he looked like a man without a worry in the world—no looming debts, no nagging bills. I reached out and touched his shoulder, careful not to startle him.

“Jake, time to wake up,” I whispered. “Remember, I’m taking that money to the bank today.”

He blinked at me, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Good morning, love. Up before dawn again?”

I smiled and rose from the bed. “Who else will do it if not me?”

In the kitchen, I put on the kettle for coffee. I wanted him to sit across from me with his cup and dream aloud about the farm we would build together. In minutes, he was leaning in the doorway, looking half-asleep but all charm.

“Martha,” he said, reaching for his mug. “You know you’re my anchor, right? My whole world.”

I simply nodded as the steam curled between us. He leaned forward, eyes bright with hope.

“Tell me once more,” he urged, setting the mug aside. “What’s our plan?”

Jake spread his arms wide, as if gathering the whole farm into his embrace. “We’ll own acres of land, raise cows for pure milk, grow vegetables without any nasty sprays. Our name stamped on every jar and bottle. People will flock here from all over.”

I closed my eyes and imagined a green field, milking stalls, and a line of customers at our farm stand. My heart ached with excitement—and pride.

“And Benny?” I prompted gently. “When will our little boy start at a good school?”

“Soon,” Jake promised, brushing a lock of hair from my face. “Everything’s falling into place. You sold the lake house—that jumpstarted it all.”

That lake house had held my childhood memories: my parents laughing by the water, holidays and birthdays there. Letting it go hurt me deeply, but I told myself it was for our shared dream.

“And then there’s the car sale,” he added. “That’s the last chunk of cash we need.”

I glanced at the manila envelope I had tucked on the shelf. Inside were the papers from my car sale, mixed with our savings. I had every intention of sending it his way today.

“I’ll transfer it all into your account,” I said, voice steady.

He bent in to kiss my forehead, soft enough to make me believe I was the luckiest woman alive. “Nothing can stop us now,” he murmured. “You’re my good luck charm.”

While he spoke, I packed my bag to head out. I couldn’t wait to hand over the money and hug him when I got back.

At the bus stop, the morning chill seeped through my coat. The ride to the bank was only twenty minutes, but I pictured each moment: entering the queue, sliding the envelope across the teller’s counter, and Jake throwing his arms around me afterward.

Yet a tiny doubt nagged at me: Was I giving too much?

My thoughts raced so loudly that I almost missed the buzz in my purse. I slipped my hand inside and pulled out my phone. The screen flashed a name I didn’t recognize:

ALEX.

I frowned. I didn’t know any Alex. Still, I tapped to answer.

“Hey, baby…” a woman’s voice purred. It was soft and slow, like warm honey dripping. “Where have you been? Did she leave already? I waited for you all night…”

My chest tightened. That syrupy voice—how many nights had he whispered the same words to her?

I ended the call quickly, my hand trembling. I looked down at the phone and realized my mistake.

This wasn’t my phone.

That morning, Jake and I had swapped devices so I could check on his emails. In my rush, I’d grabbed his phone instead of mine. No wonder the name Alex popped up.

“Damn him,” I muttered under my breath.

I rifled through my bag, found my own phone, and sat down in a nearby café. I ordered a black coffee but didn’t touch it. My mind replayed that call over and over.

On the table lay Jake’s phone, its cracked corner and scuffed case—every mark now a reminder of his betrayal. His secret was right there in his messages: “See you in half an hour,” “Miss you already.”

An idea struck me. What if I let him think I hadn’t discovered anything? I could watch his next moves, see where this went. Better yet, I could confront him with proof.

I left the café and slipped back home, making no sound as I placed his phone on the kitchen table—just where he would expect it. Then I hid behind the window, hoping he’d return.

Sure enough, Jake came in looking flustered, eyes bright when he spotted the phone.

“Did you see my phone?” he asked, relief flooding his face.

“On the table,” I said calmly.

“You’re a lifesaver,” he said with a grin. Then he shot off a quick text and dashed out again, shouting over his shoulder, “Meetings. Don’t wait up!”

I let him go, heart pounding. Then I grabbed my coat and followed at a distance.

Jake’s cab dropped him in front of a modest house with pale green shutters. From the open window drifted a soft, feminine voice. I watched as he wrapped his arms around a young blonde woman.

“Okay, darling. Let’s go inside,” she said in a playful tone.

I slid back into the cab and waited until he climbed into the front seat, then directed the driver home. My mind raced: Who was this woman? What did she know?

The moment Jake’s cab pulled away, I stepped outside and walked up to the green-door house. The bell rang, and the door creaked open.

Alex stood there, wide-eyed and startled. She looked just like in the messages: early thirties, blonde hair falling to her shoulders, loose sweater sliding off one side.

“Yes? Can I help you?” she asked, voice wavering.

I took a steady breath, every nerve buzzing. “I think you can. I’m Jake’s wife.”

Her eyes widened, mouth dropping open, then snapping shut as if she couldn’t decide what to say.

“You… you’re married to him?” she stammered.

“Yes. I’m Martha. The one who sold her childhood home and her car money to build that farm he keeps talking about.”

Alex scoffed but her eyes glistened with tears. “We should talk inside.”

I followed her into the living room. She shut the door behind us and leaned against it, hands shaking.

“Why are you here?” she spat. “To call me names? To tell me to stay away?”

I forced a small laugh. “No, sharing insults feels pointless. I just want to know—who are you to him? Why did he choose you over a business meeting?”

Alex looked down at her hands but lifted her chin. “He’s going to marry me. He told me you’re too controlling. That you’d ruin his life if he stayed.”

I blinked. “Marry you? He said that?”

She nodded. “Yes. He said he needed money for lawyers and alimony. He convinced me to help.”

My heart pounded. “I sold my parents’ lake house this morning so he could start that dream farm. I almost gave him every last penny.”

Alex’s face went pale. “Me too. I sold my shares in my dad’s company. I thought we were going to buy a house together, far away.”

We looked at each other, two women tricked by the same man. I felt a fierce protectiveness rise inside me for this stranger.

“So, what do we do now?” Alex whispered.

“If we let him think he’s seduced us both, he’ll walk right into his own trap,” I said. “We turn his game back on him.”

Alex’s smile was shaky but determined. “Tell me everything.”

That afternoon, I called Jake and told him I’d just wired the money into his account. He sounded ecstatic, saying it would clear in three days.

I gave Alex a quick call too. She pretended to be thrilled he’d want more from her soon. We set our meeting at a small bistro downtown.

When the day arrived, I dressed in plain jeans, an old coat borrowed from Alex, and a cheap blonde wig under a hat. I slipped into a seat at the back of the restaurant, just one table behind theirs, and waited.

Through the windowpane, I saw Jake stride in and kiss Alex on the cheek. He beamed at her like a schoolboy. My chest tightened with anger—and a strange thrill.

He and Alex looked over menus, but their eyes kept drifting to me, as if they sensed something wasn’t right. Ten minutes passed before the real show began.

“Sorry I’m late,” Jake said, settling in. “But you look amazing.”

Alex smiled politely, then leaned forward. “Jake, we need to go over the numbers again. Why do you need nearly fifty thousand dollars more?”

Jake’s face tightened. “It’s all for legal fees. You know she’s filing for alimony. Martha wants to make me pay through the nose.”

A bitter laugh curled on my lips. I watched his chest rise and fall as he lied.

“I’m serious,” he said, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye—even though I pretended not to notice. “I can’t lose this money.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “You really are leaving her?”

His voice got rough. “Yes. She’s impossible. We’ll be better off apart.”

I felt a hot surge of power. Right on cue, Alex let her napkin drop to the floor.

I stood and walked up behind Jake. He hadn’t seen me until I was a step away.

“Hello, sweetheart,” I said sweetly, yanking off my wig and dropping it on the table. “Looks like your big deal is nearly done.”

Jake’s face went white. Alex’s eyes shone with triumph.

“Martha? What the—” he stammered.

Alex leaned forward, voice cold. “Surprise, Jake. Seems your wife and your ‘fiancée’ have something in common.”

Jake’s bravado crumbled. “You both fell for it? You were ready to hand over your money?”

I reached into my purse, pulled out a single dollar bill, and tossed it on the table. “That’s all you deserve.”

Alex stood, smooth coat draping over her arm. “We’re off to grab pizza now—real food, cheap and honest. Enjoy explaining this one to your next investor.”

Jake sputtered, words failing him as we turned to leave.

Outside, Alex nudged my arm and laughed. “So… never thought I’d team up with you, Martha.”

I smiled wide. “Life’s full of surprises. But if you ever need a partner, you know where to find me.”

She threw back her head and laughed again. “Extra cheese?”

“Extra cheese,” I agreed, “and maybe a glass of wine.”

We walked down the street side by side—two women who had both given too much and finally taken back what was rightfully ours.