When Jeremy and I got married, we agreed to split everything 50/50, including rent. He found an apartment for $2,000 a month, and every month I gave him my $1,000 share, trusting he paid the landlord.
I worked two jobs, sacrificing sleep and energy, saving for our dream home. For two years, everything seemed normal—until one night, stuck in an elevator, a neighbor casually mentioned, “Oh, you live in Mrs. Lorrie and Jeremy’s apartment, right?” That’s when I realized the apartment actually belonged to Jeremy’s mom.
My blood ran cold. I had been handing over $24,000 straight into Jeremy and his mom’s pockets, not a landlord’s. Instead of confronting him right away, I acted normal while secretly planning my next move.
On December 27, I packed my things and left. When I confronted Jeremy, he first denied it, but the damage was done. A lawyer later showed me the lease was fake—Jeremy had forged it to cover up the truth.
I filed for divorce and sued for fraud. The court ruled in my favor, ordering Jeremy and his mom to repay all the money. Leaving court, I felt a mix of relief and strength.
This taught me to always verify financial arrangements, even in marriage. Trust your gut and insist on honesty.