9
My husband nodded shyly under Rachel’s gaze. Rachel immediately exclaimed how capable he was, buying a house at such a young age – he was destined to be successful in the future.
I watched from the side as they chatted about this and that. Rachel suggested my husband invest at least $500,000, saying there would be preferential policies for him locally in Thailand and so on.
After talking for half an hour, my husband was clearly persuaded and started thinking about selling our house.
About two weeks later, our 3–bedroom apartment sold for $600,000.
It was an old complex but in a decent location. My husband confidently said once we got rich, we’d buy a house in a high–end neighborhood downtown.
His parents didn’t know he had sold the house. He sent them back to their hometown.
We moved into a rented apartment in the next building.
My husband prepared $750,000 and booked tickets to Yunnan. Rachel said since he was about to become a boss, he needed to familiarize himself with the fruit smuggling routes.
My husband didn’t suspect anything and prepared to sneak across the border from Yunnan to Myanmar and then on to Thailand.
Before he left, I approached him with concern.
“Honey, why don’t you leave the bank card with me? Once you go check things out in person and confirm there are no issues, I can transfer the money over.”
My husband was taken aback, as if suddenly realizing how reckless it was to bring $750,000 with him.
But he was too eager to get rich, and was certain I wouldn’t secretly keep the money for myself given my personality.
The next afternoon, I saw my husband off at the airport. Before parting, I took the initiative to hug him.
He impatiently pushed me away, looking at his watch like some important businessman.
I stood at the airport gate, watching him eagerly board the plane.
My “dear husband,” are you ready for the surprise I’ve prepared for you?
I waved in the direction of the plane.
Goodbye, and never see you again!
That evening, I received a call from my husband. He sounded very excited on the phone, saying Rachel’s people were so rich, staying only in 3–star hotels or above, taking him out to enjoy the local nightlife and so on.
I silently listened to my husband’s endless chatter on the other end, stroking my daughter’s hair as she slept in my arms. It had been a long time since she fell asleep in my embrace.
Two days passed peacefully. Then I received another call from my husband
“Ava, hurry up and transfer the money to my account!”
As soon as the call connected, my husband sounded frantic. I could hear him suppressing his anger towards me.
“Honey, you’ve reached the orchard so quickly? Have you met Rachel?”
“You f***ing… Ugh, I’ve met her.” I heard my husband groan on the other end. I smiled silently.
“Okay, I’ll transfer the money right away!”
After hanging up, I was in KFC with my daughter. She was gnawing on a chicken wing, her face smeared with oil.
“Eat slowly. Do you want Mommy to take you shopping for a princess dress?”
“Mm–hmm, Mommy buy a pretty dress too.” My daughter smiled up at me with her adorable face.
After she finished eating, I took her hand and we went to the mall. Half an hour later, my husband called again asking why the money hadn’t arrived. I said I had transferred it, but it might be slow because of the large amount.
We shopped all afternoon until it got dark. I took her out for dinner before going home.
During this time, my husband called multiple times but I didn’t answer. When we got home, he called again.
As soon as I picked up, a string of curses came through the phone.
D
12:28 PM N
<
… You, Ava, are you laughing?
My husband asked in disbelief. I said in surprise, “Did I laugh out loud just now?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help it, I’m so happy.”
“You bitch, did you and Rachel plan this together to trick me into northern Myanmar? I’ll f***ing kill you…”
I hung up before he could finish cursing. After waiting another half hour, my husband sent a video call request.
I hesitated before accepting. On the screen, my husband was now unrecognizable. His face was swollen like a pig’s head, the wounds on his swollen lips split open. It looked very similar to a photo of me after he had beaten me before.
“Ava, wife, save me please. Hurry and transfer the money. You don’t know, they’re going to beat me to death…”
www
I had toyed with him multiple times that afternoon, and the money never arrived in his account. So they had taken out their anger on my husband, beating him severely several times.
“Don’t worry honey, I’ll call the police to save you right away!”
“Ah! No, don’t call…”
I hung up immediately.
