Chapter 7: The Unseen Truth

Shirley’s POV:

William left with his driver, as effortlessly as always. His presence lingered in the air, like a distant memory I couldn't shake. As he got into the car, I felt an unexpected surge of emotions—confusion, frustration, and a strange sense of regret. But I pushed it aside, just like I always do.

Before he left, I asked for his driver's number. "Have him contact me once the car's fixed," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll compensate for the damages." It was an automatic response, the kind I've learned to give.

Then, I called for a tow truck and had my car taken to the 4S dealership. It's funny, isn't it? This car had been with me for four years now, and it still looked almost new. I mostly drove it just to take Abby to school, so the mileage was low, and everything was in decent shape. It didn't take long for the repairs to be done.

But when I went to pay the bill, I froze. The total was… well, it was more than I expected. Much more. It was enough to cover our entire month's worth of groceries. My heart sank.

"Could I pay by card?" I asked, trying to keep my composure.

The cashier looked at me apologetically. "I'm afraid your card's been declined. The limit's been reached."

I blinked. What?

My mind raced back to earlier this month when I bought Abby's gift. I had to make sure I didn't overdo it, but even so, the gift wasn't exactly cheap. And now, with today's unexpected expenses, my card was maxed out?

But Steven always told me—this card has no limit. "Don't worry about the balance," he said. "It's for your convenience."

My chest tightened. I pulled out another card, one from our joint account. I barely ever used it, but it was there for times like this. I handed it to the cashier, hoping things would go smoothly.

The cashier's eyes flicked to the screen, and her expression changed. "I'm sorry, but there's no money in this account either."

My heart skipped a beat. What? No money?

I took a breath, trying to stay calm. This can't be happening. I pulled out yet another card—one Steven had given me, saying it was for family expenses. But when the cashier swiped it, she shook her head again. "This card is also insufficient."

What's going on?

My palms were sweating now, the silence between us growing heavier. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, my mind spinning. What was happening to our finances? Why were all the accounts suddenly empty?

"I'll… I'll just write a check," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. My hands trembled as I signed the check, knowing full well that I would need to visit the bank soon. Something wasn't right.

As I walked out of the dealership, I felt the weight of the situation pressing down on me. What am I missing?

I had to know the truth.

I went straight to the bank. My heart raced as I entered, the cool air-conditioning doing little to calm my nerves. I asked to speak to someone in private and soon found myself sitting across from a bank officer, explaining my situation.

With a few taps on her computer, the officer looked up, her expression a bit too neutral for my liking. "There's been a change in your account limits," she said. "The credit limit on your card was reduced about a year ago."

Reduced? I felt my stomach tighten.

"Why?" I asked, my voice steady despite the growing panic. "Was it because of my spending?"

The officer glanced at the screen again. "No. The limit was lowered on the bank's discretion. As for your joint account… it was drained about three months ago."

Drained? I blinked in disbelief. "What do you mean, drained?"

She quickly handed me a printout of the transaction history. My hands shook as I looked at the entries: withdrawals, purchases, payments—until I saw something that made my blood run cold. A massive payment. It was the purchase of a new house.

I scanned the details, my mind racing. A new house? Why didn't I know about this? Why hadn't Steven mentioned it?

The officer confirmed it, "Yes, your joint account was used to buy a property three months ago. That's why there are no funds left."

A new house? My mind reeled as I tried to process this. What was Steven doing? Why didn't he tell me about such a major purchase? And why was I being kept in the dark about everything?

As I left the bank, I felt a cold dread wash over me. My entire world, the one I had carefully built with Steven, suddenly seemed like a house of cards, ready to collapse.

It wasn't just the money—it was the secrecy.

What else is he hiding from me?

I felt sick. All these years, I had trusted Steven, believed in our partnership. I had never questioned him, never asked where the money went, because I believed everything was fine. But now… now, I didn't know what to believe anymore.

The bank officer's words echoed in my mind: The account was drained three months ago. Had Steven been planning something? Was he preparing to leave me? Or was he just hiding things from me, things I was never meant to know?

I walked back to the car, each step heavier than the last. I had always been so sure of my marriage. But now, I wasn't so sure anymore.