Nicole stepped out of the lawyer’s office on a rainy afternoon, her expression blank, her shoulders drooped, looking every bit the defeated ex-wife. But inside, she was buzzing with excitement. She headed toward the elevator, and as soon as the doors closed, she couldn’t help herself — a giggle slipped out. She stifled it, trying to keep her cool, but it was no use. The more she thought about what had just happened, the more she laughed until she was practically cackling.
Then came the night he announced he wanted a divorce. He stormed into the kitchen and slammed his keys onto the counter, declaring, “I’m done. I want out.” Nicole blinked, pretending to be surprised, but she had been ready for this moment.
“Alright,” she replied, her voice calm.
Mike’s face twisted in disbelief. He was expecting a fight, tears, begging — anything to make him feel triumphant. But she simply agreed. In that moment, she gave him the confidence to take everything, and he hadn’t suspected a thing.
As they sat through the brutal divorce negotiations, Nicole remained stoic, nodding as Mike went down the list of everything he wanted. The house, the savings, the car — he wanted it all. And to his delight, Nicole conceded.
“Fine,” she said. “Take it all.”
For a moment, he was stunned. Then a
