Chapter 6

I took the papers, my hands trembling.

The first account was the salary card. Every month on the 20th, $7,000 would come in. That was Jeremy's salary.

But every month on the 25th, a large amount would be transferred out. I looked closely at the amounts.

In July, August, and September, $17,000 was transferred out each month. In October, $20,000 was transferred out.

In four months, $71,000 had been transferred out. I wondered who it was sent to and looked at the recipient.

It was an unfamiliar name: Emily Lane. Then I realized she was Emily.

I gripped the papers so tightly my nails dug into my palms.

The second account was our joint account. We opened it after we got married, for the mortgage and everyday expenses.

Every month on the 5th, $1,700 would automatically be deducted for the mortgage. The rest was supposed to cover our daily costs.

But I noticed that starting in July, the money in this account was disappearing fast.

At the beginning of July, the balance was $25,000. By the end of October, there was only $4,000 left. In less than four months, over $20,000 was gone.

I found the transaction details. Besides the mortgage, there were many small withdrawals. [Grandview Hotel: $1,200. Riverside Grain Eatery: $400. Aurora Mall: $5,000.]

Each of those transactions caused a piercing pain.

I kept looking through the papers.

The third account was for fixed-term deposits.

Before we got married, Jeremy said he wanted to save up for a car. Every month, I'd put $1,700 into this account.

After three years, there should've been about $70,000 saved up.

But now, the balance was 0. I stared at that number, and my mind went blank. I wondered whether the $70,000 had gone.

I asked the teller, "When was this account emptied?"

The teller checked the system. "October 21st. Everything was transferred out."

That was the second day of our pre-divorce separation period. "Where did it go?"

"It was transferred to another account." The teller looked at her screen. "The account holder is Emily Lane."

I clutched the stack of papers and walked out of the bank. My legs felt weak, and I nearly collapsed. I leaned against the wall, standing there for a long time.

I added up $71,000, $70,000, and over $20,000 in everyday expenses. In four months, Jeremy had sent nearly $170,000 to Emily.

Over three years, I gave his parents $40,000 and paid $95,000 for the mortgage, totaling $135,000.

That was less than what Jeremy blew on his mistress in four months.

I laughed, and then tears were streaming down my face.

I pulled out my phone and called Frank. "Mr. Warren? I'm Sarah Collins, Laura's friend."

"Hello, Ms. Collins." Frank's voice was gentle. "I heard about your situation from Laura. Are you available to meet now?"

"Yes." I wiped away my tears. "I can come right now."

"Okay, I'm at Brightway Law Firm, No. 16, Riverside Street."

"I'll be there soon." I flagged down a cab after hanging up.

In the taxi, I kept rereading the bank statements. Every number seemed to laugh at me.

Jeremy dropped $170,000 on Emily. Everything I gave in three years still couldn't compare with what she got in four months.

*****

Half an hour later, I showed up at the law firm.

Frank was in his forties, glasses perched on his nose, looking every bit the pro. "Ms. Collins, please have a seat." He motioned to me. "Tell me your story."

I laid it all out for him, from beginning to end.

Frank listened while jotting down notes.

When I finished, he pushed up his glasses. "Ms. Collins, from what you've told me, your husband, Jeremy, cheated on you and moved a lot of money out," he paused. "The most important thing now is to keep your evidence safe."

"I have the bank statements." I handed him the stack of papers.

Frank looked them over and nodded. "This is key evidence, but it's not enough."

"What else do I need?"

"First, you need to prove something is going on between Jeremy and Emily. The bank statements only reveal he sent her money. They don't show they're lovers."

"How do I prove that?"

"Chat logs, photos, videos, or a third-party witness. Can you get into Jeremy's phone?"

I shook my head. "He changed the password recently."

"Then you need to figure out a way." Frank sounded serious. "Ms. Collins, when it comes to splitting assets in a divorce, whoever has the evidence holds the upper hand.

"You need to understand: Jeremy suggests a pre-divorce separation period, most likely to buy time and move the money."

"So what should I do?"

"First, find out what you two own together: real estate property, car, savings, wealth management products, and stocks.

"Second, keep every transfer and spending record you can get your hands on.

"Third, try to get some real proof of Jeremy's affair with Emily.

"Fourth, as soon as the pre-divorce separation period ends, sue for divorce right away."

I nodded, making sure to remember every point.