The staging
I became an award-worthy actress. When Zolani sat me down to tell me the « terrible news » of the company’s bankruptcy and this fabricated debt, I cried and panicked exactly as he expected.
« I’m sorry, » I sobbed. « Did I make a mistake spending our savings on Jabari’s life insurance? »
« That’s how it is now, » he replied, with feigned disappointment. And I knew that inside, he was jubilant.
When I offered to come and work at his company to « help through this difficult time », he accepted with barely concealed pleasure.
For weeks, I played the role of the defeated wife. I cleaned the offices, served coffee, and endured Zahara’s sneers, all while keeping my eyes and ears open. I observed, memorized passwords, and grew closer to the head accountant, Ms. Eleanor, who, against all odds, was not a docile accomplice of Zolani’s, but another person trapped by circumstances.
The day I finally gained access to the actual accounting records—the evidence showing the hidden money, the fraud—my hands were shaking. But I got them. I copied them onto a USB drive. And Ms. Eleanor simply whispered, « Use this wisely. »
When Zolani finally asked for a divorce, I played my biggest role. I fell to the ground, grabbed his legs, begged him to let me have Jabari, and promised not to ask for anything.
He signed documents giving me sole custody, without financial obligation, convinced he had won.
The divorce was granted quickly. The judge approved everything: it all looked like a simple case, that of a husband leaving a wife without resources.
Zolani and Zahara left smiling, victorious.
They had no idea what was happening.
The Revenge
See more on the next page
Advertisement
