All Chapters of A Counterfeit Gift Card, a Real Divorce: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Once the IV drip ran out, I helped Dad into a cab and took him home.The moment I opened the front door, I heard my husband, Cedric Zimmer, laughing in the living room.He was on the phone with his sister, Janet Zimmer."Ever since I tricked that old man with that escape room card, he's been paying out of his own pocket to buy me expensive food."Janet's gloating voice came through the phone. "Cedric, you're awful. Aren't you basically draining his life savings?"With his back to the door, Cedric casually twirled his custom lighter between his fingers."He's the one who refuses to ask Susan for money. He chooses to suffer in silence, so who's to blame?" Cedric scoffed. "Besides, he reeks of poverty. Just looking at him irritates me! If he weren't such a decent cook, I wouldn't even let him through the door.""I heard he even went to that crappy restaurant around the corner to wash dishes. He doesn't even have time to eat, so at least he doesn't have the energy to nag me," Cedric

I sneered bitterly to myself.Over the past few years, I had pulled strings to get Janet the job she had now. I had even paid for the car she drove, which had cost well over ten thousand dollars. Even her monthly allowance had come straight from my paycheck, which Cedric secretly gave her.Just as I was about to refuse, my phone vibrated in my pocket.The caller ID displayed Cedric's name. I picked up, and his arrogant voice came through the line."Susan, you saw the video online, didn't you? How do you feel now? Scared, huh? If you are, write me a 30-thousand-word apology letter and post it online for everyone to see!"Then, he added threateningly, "Unfreeze all my cards and buy Janet a car. Otherwise, this isn't over!"Hearing the arrogance in his voice, strangely enough, my anger began to settle. "Cedric, keep dreaming," I said coldly. "Find yourself a good lawyer. I'm going to file for divorce and make sure you walk away with nothing!"Before he could respond, I hung up.

The video showed exactly what I had copied from the surveillance footage at the escape room that day.Many of my colleagues had attended my wedding two years ago, so they recognized the man on screen instantly.The timestamp was clearly displayed in the bottom-right corner of the footage. It showed the exact time I had been abroad, working myself to the bone for a company project.The noise in the lobby died down instantly. Everyone's eyes were glued to the screen. Then came the part where Cedric and that vixen started talking. The entire lobby fell deathly silent.That woman giggled as she nestled into Cedric's arms and handed him the card with their cartoon portraits on it."Here, take it," she said with a playful smile. "Consider this a one-of-a-kind token of our love.""By the way, when is that old hag of yours coming back?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.Cedric let out a disdainful snort. "Who cares about her? She's nothing but a walking ATM. She's boring as hell. Nothing

I kept my word. That very day, I canceled all the utility payments tied to the house.I also texted my bank relationship manager and asked him to freeze the mortgage auto-debits. Even if it hurt my credit score in the short term, I was determined to make life difficult for those leeches.On the third day of living without water or electricity, Cedric stormed into the lobby of the five-star hotel where I was staying. A few reporters from obscure tabloids followed close behind him, along with Janet, who was livestreaming everything on her phone.The second he spotted me, Cedric charged toward me, demanding an explanation. "Susan! How dare you live the good life here while leaving the rest of us to freeze and starve in the dark?"The hotel security guards were well-trained. They stepped forward and blocked his way.The reporters' cameras went off in a frenzy around us. The flashes were so blinding that I could barely keep my eyes open.Ever since I released the surveillance footag

On the night of the contract signing, Cedric showed up wearing a baseball cap and a face mask, covering himself from head to toe. The woman pretending to be me stood beside him, along with Janet, who was waiting to get her hands on the money to pay off her gambling debts."Four million dollars, paid in full, right?" Cedric urged Vincent, his voice tense."Mr. Zimmer, what's the rush? This place is worth much more than that," Vincent said with a smile, trying to stall for time."We need the money to move abroad. Enough talk. Just give us the money!" Janet snapped impatiently, slamming her hand on the table.Just as Cedric was about to sign the contract, the office door swung open."How can you sell the house without even bothering to notify the owner?" I strode into the office, flanked by two well-dressed lawyers.Cedric's hand trembled, and his pen dropped to the floor."S-Susan, what brings you here?" he stammered."If I didn't come, how would I ever get to watch this show y