MISTRESS:
I’m the woman he’s going to marry. After he leaves you.
Martha didn’t flinch. She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream.
WIFE:
Did he tell you that before or after I paid off his debts? Before or after I mortgaged my inheritance to buy that “dream farm”?
The mistress hesitated.
MISTRESS:
He said you were separated. That you didn’t believe in him. That you laughed at his dreams.
Martha let out a short, humorless laugh.
WIFE:
I sold my car so he could buy his first tractor.
Silence filled the doorway.
WIFE (softly):
How long have you been together?
MISTRESS:
Eight months.
Martha nodded slowly. Eight months ago was when Jake had started coming home late. When the “investors” suddenly needed dinner meetings. When he began guarding his phone like a secret.
Martha reached into her purse and pulled out a folder.
WIFE:
I’m not here to fight you. I’m here because you deserve the truth too.
She handed over copies of bank statements. Mortgage papers. The farm deed.
The mistress’s face drained of color.
WIFE:
The farm? It’s in my name. The house? Mine too. The equipment loans? Signed by me. If he leaves, he leaves with his pickup truck and whatever fits in it.
The mistress stared at the papers.
MISTRESS (whispering):
He said he owned everything.
WIFE:
He owns promises. He’s very good at selling those.
A car engine rumbled in the driveway.
Jake stepped out, smiling—until he saw both women standing together.
JAKE:
Martha? What are you doing here?
Martha looked at him calmly. Almost peacefully.
WIFE:
Finishing a business meeting.
He glanced nervously between them.
JAKE:
Baby, I can explain—
MISTRESS:
Explain what? That you’re broke? That you lied to both of us?
Jake’s confident posture collapsed.
WIFE:
I filed for divorce this morning. You’ll be served tomorrow. And don’t worry—I didn’t forget to mention adultery.
Jake’s face turned pale.
JAKE:
Martha, please—
She stepped back.
WIFE:
I built the dream farm. You just wanted the dream life.
She turned and walked toward her car without looking back.
Behind her, the mistress stepped away from Jake too.
For the first time in a long while, Martha felt light.
The farm would still stand.
And this time, it would truly be hers.
