The Fake Wife

The News is Out

Jake

"Mrs Stewart just left the bank and wanted to withdraw 2 million in cash, but I told her it wouldn't be possible without your consent, Sir. I found it strange because this time she wasn't alone and came prepared with a black duffel bag. My secretary said a man was waiting for her in the lobby."

Tanner took a long breath on the other side of the phone. "You never told me about her limit, but I thought it was best to lie and not let her take the money, as I didn't know if something was happening." He paused again on the phone searching for words and I, on the other end, did not know what to think of his information. "I hope you didn't mind me lying and not getting the money counted for her."

"You did the right thing, Tanner. Block her access and don't let her take any more money out, not even a hundred dollars."

I have never talked so much with Tanner as I had in the last few weeks. The man had my direct line now and lately. I never rejected his calls, not even if I was in a meeting.

His calls had become more frequent and Alison's behaviour stranger. Was the brother dearest with her at the bank today or someone else?

Leaving the children with Mum, I got my keys and headed back to the house. This morning, against my wishes, the kids and I went to the Manor for the day. Alison seemed overwhelmed around me and as soon as she noticed I would not be going to the office today, she got agitated.

Like a blind man, I got our things and drove to the Manor. After last night, I thought a little space would help Alison organise her mind for the conversation I could no longer avoid. But it turns out that instead of thinking, she got on the train to New York to visit the bank.

On the short drive back to the house, something came to my mind. In all those months living with Alison, she bought nothing for herself. She was not like any wife that would shop every week and buy a designer bag that would cost the same as a car.

All the Amazon purchases in my account were things for the children or the house. The credit card I gave her she only used for online groceries. Anything new she possessed was gifted by me or my family. The only time she used my money for herself was at the hairdresser.

Why would she be going to the bank to take so much money now? And all those other mysterious withdrawals of money that I saw nothing new. Not a paper bag from a store in the recycle bin or anything in the closet.

I stormed to our bedroom and searched for her things. My phone buzzed with a message from her. I opened it, and she had lied about being at school. Does she think the bank manager was terrible at his job and would not call me if she tried to take that much money?

While deep in my search, I checked the ring tracker several times, and it seemed Alison was wandering around New York the whole day. Was she afraid to get back to the house? Was she aware I knew her text message was a lie?

Nightfall arrived, and I was tired of my search at the house. I was waiting on the sofa for her, and as soon as she entered the bedroom, I turned the side table lamp on.

"Are you leaving me?" The words were out of my mouth in seconds.

She looked around and saw the mess I made in the room. Alison's face was pale, and her eyes were puffy from crying. Her silence was killing me as her red eyes only scanned the mess.

Like a mother of an addicted son, I turned her things upside down looking for her hiding place.

I pointed to the mess and said slowly. "When you were single, you used to hide money and your things inside a wooden box in the bathroom cabinet of your apartment. I thought you were doing the same here. I was looking for your hidden place."