After discovering disturbing images of her husband, Charles, with his teenage employee, Madison, Hannah is shocked and devastated. Hannah doesn’t know what to do as her entire life seems to be crumbling apart, but she is given a hidden weapon on a visit to her mother-in-law. Is Hannah going to receive her just desserts with this fresh evidence?
I had eyes I couldn’t believe. With shaky palms, I sat in my living room and glanced at my phone.
Everything began a week ago when my friend Sarah told me she had witnessed Charles in a café with a young woman. I dismissed it, assuming there had been a miscommunication.
However, something kept bugging me, so I made the decision to ask Sarah to watch out for me.
Sarah’s reply appeared now, with many images attached. When I opened them, I saw Charles walking inside a hotel with his 20-year-old coworker, Madison.
They were clearly intimate with one another as they laughed and held hands.
Charles, how could you have done this to me? To our children?” I mumbled, shocked.
He smiled broadly when he stepped through the main door that evening.
Hannah, what’s the matter? He inquired.
I glared at Charles and said, “Don’t play dumb.” His face turned pale as soon as I showed him the pictures on my phone.
Hannah, allow me to clarify.
“Explain? Nothing has to be explained! Madison has been the object of your adultery. For what duration has this been ongoing?
He sat down on the couch and put his face in his hands, saying, “A few months.”
“A few months,” I let out a gasp. And you were too stupid to inform me? or put a stop to it?
Charles cast a weary gaze on me. “Hannah, I apologize. I never intended for it to go to this point.
“I apologize. All you have to say is that? I was shocked by his casual demeanor. My spouse and the father of my kids was sitting there, casually confessing to his affair.
Quietly, he stated, “I think we should get a divorce.”
I looked at him, in disbelief. You don’t even want to give this a shot to be fixed? Battle for us? Our children?” With a broken heart, I asked.
He gave a headshake. No, Hannah. It’s finished.
I came to see that our family and our life together meant nothing to him.
After Charles went, everything in my life was lost.
With the kids, I moved into a tiny apartment where we were living hand to mouth. The compensation I got was pitiful—barely enough to meet our necessities. It was a strain to make ends meet each month for the kids, but I had intended to keep things consistent for them.
I took my laptop and settled down one evening after the kids went to bed to see if there were any ways I could make ends meet. I began looking for freelance work since my part-time job as a receptionist wasn’t enough to support us.
Something drew my attention as I was browsing the internet. There was a listing for our former marital residence. Curious, I clicked on it, and my heart fell.
Charles had put it up for an absurd price, far more than its appraisal at the time of the financing order.
“How was he able to accomplish this?” I whispered to myself, the unfairness still stinging.
Charles had misled the court during the divorce process regarding the house’s worth. He had taken advantage of the system to leave me with very little. I was overcome by the injustice of it all.
He had taken everything, so how was I going to feed our kids?
In an attempt to divert my attention, I grabbed my phone. I froze when I signed onto my social media accounts. Unexpectedly, Madison’s post appeared. When I read that, my heart fell.
In the picture, she was grinning and had her palm resting on a little baby bulge. “Happy to announce our new home and our little one on the way!” was the caption. #blessed 👪 💗
It seemed unbelievable to me. In addition to moving into a new home, Charles and Madison were expecting a child. The same guy who’d abandoned me and our children was embarking on a new chapter in his life, purchasing a home for his mistress and their future offspring.
I was boiling with irritation and rage. How could he have such cold heart? He was ready to embrace another child, how could he ignore his own?
“Are you okay, mom?” Emily, my daughter, questioned, startling me out of my reverie. Her eyes were being rubbed.
I feigned a laugh. Yes, I’m OK, my sweetheart. Just glancing at something on my mobile device. Did you require anything?
No, I was only afraid. Are you alright?
“Yes, honey,” I said as I picked her up. “Let’s go back to your bed.”
However, I wasn’t well. I was furious. Charles was prepared to turn his life around and leave me to fight this alone. I was itching for retribution, but I had no idea where to begin.
I gave it all some thought the next morning and went to see my former mother-in-law, Margaret.
I thought she may offer some advise; she had always been kind to me.
Margaret gave me a warm hug and invited me into her comfortable house. Hannah, it’s wonderful to have you here. Enter and take a seat.
I sat down across from her on her cozy couch.
“Margaret, I’m not sure what to do,” I started. “While I’m fighting to make ends meet for our children, Charles is embarking on a new life with Madison, purchasing a home, and expecting a child. I also just learned that he had lied to me during the divorce regarding the house’s worth.
Margaret inhaled deeply and met my gaze directly. “Hannah, I can’t let him get away with this,” she firmly stated. “He must understand that there are repercussions for his actions.”
Shocked, I turned to face her. “Explain what you mean.”
Margaret rose and moved to a little desk tucked away in the room’s corner. She gave it to me after taking out a folder. She affirmed, “I know he forged those documents.” “And I can prove it. It took me a while to obtain these documents.
Copies of the original appraisals and sale paperwork were within the folder when I opened it. They amply demonstrated the house’s actual value, which was far greater than what Charles had claimed it was worth during the divorce process.
“Margaret, this is amazing,” I said, catching a glimpse of optimism. “This evidence demonstrates that he lied.”
She gave a nod. “I’ll provide evidence against him. Charles must see how much his actions have harmed the kids and you. He is unable to just abandon his obligations.
My eyes filled with tears. “I’m grateful, Margaret. Without your support, I don’t know what I would do.
She put her hand reassuringly on my shoulder. We are kin, Hannah. Family also watches out for one another. We’ll work together to overcome this.
I was relieved for the first time in a very long time.
Margaret encouraged me to get in touch with my attorney, Stephen, and together we prepared our case for a retrial. The days before the hearing were stressful, but I knew I had to maintain my composure for both my children and myself.
Margaret was by my side as I entered the courtroom on the day of the hearing. As soon as we took our seats, the proceedings got underway.
With accuracy, Stephen laid out our case, describing Charles’s dishonest behavior.
He held out the original paperwork Margaret had given us and stated, “Your Honor, these are the original appraisals and sale documents for the marital home.”
The house’s actual worth is far more than what was stated throughout the divorce processes, as you can see. Mr. Nelson has changed these documents in order to mislead my client and rob her of a just compensation.
Judge Anderson gave the records a thorough inspection. “Mr. Nelson, could you please explain these differences?” he enquired.
Charles’s attorney rose and attempted to defend the client. We think there could have been a misunderstanding, Your Honor. My customer—
“A misunderstanding?,” interjected Judge Anderson. These documents differ significantly from one another, suggesting deliberate fraud. This court considers these claims to be true.
Margaret stood up soon after.
She went into great detail about how Charles changed the paperwork. She confidently stated, “I found these original documents in Charles’s office.” “He gave Hannah and the kids practically nothing by lying about the house’s worth.”
Charles shifted in his chair, clearly uncomfortable. He yelled, “That’s not true!” but was cut down by the judge’s stern gaze.
Judge Anderson firmly remarked, “Mr. Nelson, please remain quiet while the witness is speaking.”
Stephen continued speaking as Margaret was done. “We ask the court to award my client the fair share of the house’s true value, along with additional damages for the emotional distress caused by Mr. Nelson’s deceit, given the evidence of his actions.”
Nodding, Judge Anderson took notes.
Not long afterward, the hearing was over, and the decision was due.
Judge Anderson opened his remarks by saying, “The court determines that Mr. Nelson committed fraud after evaluating the facts and hearing the testimony. The court finds in Ms. Hannah’s favor, giving her a reasonable portion of the house’s actual value in addition to further compensation for mental suffering and deception. Mr. Nelson’s conduct will also have legal ramifications.
A sigh of relief filled me.
Hannah, we succeeded. Margaret told me, putting her arms around me, “He’s finally getting what he deserves.”
With tears of appreciation in my eyes, I grinned. “I’m grateful, Margaret. Without you, I could not have completed this.
I made the decision to post my tale on social media with Margaret’s OK. I wished for people to be aware of the reality and inspired to defend their own rights. Charles’s reputation was completely damaged when the post went viral. He lost everything, including Madison and his new relationship and career!
In the meanwhile, I came out stronger than before, determined to succeed. I was thankful for my children’s safety and security as well as the unexpected support I received from Margaret.
How would you have responded in the situation?