My Husband Faked Renting Our House When He Actually Owned It, But Karma Quickly Caught Up With Him

The house. That was where our problems had begun.

Every month, a significant portion of my paycheck went toward the rent of our little home. Paul, my husband, and I both contributed to the rent, but he always handled the payments to our elusive landlord.

I trusted him implicitly, and of course, I never questioned his actions.

“Don’t worry, darling,” Paul would say. “I’ll take the money from our joint account each month and do the rest.”

Years passed, and my sacrifices continued. Paul took care of the power and the water bills, and we both contributed to the groceries. As difficult as it sometimes was, we both knew that it was just something that needed to be done.

One day, Paul had to leave early for a short business trip. It wasn’t anything new, and we had both gotten used to him going away on these trips.

“Do you want me to take care of rent?” I asked as I helped him pack his clothes away. “I know that you’re going to be traveling on the first of the month.”

“No, but thank you,” he said. “I’ll try and log on from my laptop and do it, or I’ll just handle it when I’m back.”

“Honey, you’re already doing so much for us. Let me lighten the burden and help,” I said.

Paul sighed deeply and took two ties out of his closet.

“It’s fine, Emma,” he said curtly. “I’ve got it under control.”

My husband left early the next morning and that was it. He didn’t speak about the rent topic again.

As the days went by and the rent was due the following day, I left my office during lunch to go to the bank.

“Where are you headed off to?” Jessica asked me as I gathered my handbag and cellphone before leaving the office.

“Just to the bank,” I replied. “I’ll be back soon and then we can get something for lunch.”

I walked into the bank ready to make a payment and lighten my husband’s load. But what I discovered was a different reality altogether.

I approached a teller and explained my situation, giving her all my relevant details.

“I just need to transfer rent money to my landlord,” I said. “My husband usually does this stuff, but he’s away on business.”

The teller smiled at me and looked at my identity document before continuing.

“Certainly, ma’am,” the teller said, pulling up the account details. “Could you confirm the account number?”

I read the number off the notepad I had taken from Paul’s desk that morning. He had a habit of writing all his important information on that one notepad.

“Thank you,” the teller said, typing the number in.

“A Mrs. Helen Parker?” she asked. “That’s your landlord’s account?”

I blinked in confusion.

“Helen Parker? Are you sure that’s what it says?” I exclaimed, my hands feeling clammy.

The teller, sensing that something was amiss, double-checked the records, frowning slightly as she concentrated.

“This is the account that has been receiving money from your account. It’s actually been receiving money for years.”

Paul’s mother. Helen Parker was Paul’s mother.

“There must be some mistake, surely,” I said.

“I’m afraid not, ma’am,” she said. “This account has consistently received the monthly payments. Look, I can print it all out for you if you’d like to go through it yourself.”

I nodded, too numb with shock.

I left the bank and drove home in a daze, forgetting that I needed to get back to work entirely.

Once home, I went straight to Paul’s study and began rifling through his drawers. I needed answers.

“How on earth have I been paying for his mother’s lifestyle all these years?” I said aloud.

It didn’t take long to find everything I needed. There it was, the ownership document for our house, signed and dated years ago, with Paul listed as the sole owner.

I didn’t know what to think, so I sat in silence for a few moments until my phone rang.

“Emma?” Jessica’s voice ran through the room. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you come back to the office?”

Quickly, I caught my best friend up on the drama.

“So, the rent that you’ve been paying is actually Helen’s allowance?” Jessica gasped. “That’s so ridiculous!”

“Yes,” I replied, holding my head in my hands. “I don’t know what to do. Paul is away for the next few days.”

“Did he take his laptop?” Jessica asked.

“No, actually, he didn’t,” I replied.

“Then go through it! Look for more information!”

My hands trembling, I turned on his laptop and found a series of messages exchanged between Paul and Helen. The messages detailed their plan, discussing how they would keep me in the dark and ensure I continued to pay rent, funneling my money straight to her.

“What the heck?” I muttered under my breath.

As the full weight of the betrayal settled on me, karma arrived with no delay. That evening, a violent storm swept through our town, leaving floods behind.

Of course, my house was one of them.

By the next morning, water started seeping through the ceiling, and within minutes, the whole house was flooded.

I took my belongings and went to a hotel. I wasn’t about to suffer through this alone.

“You can come to me,” Jessica said when I called to tell her that I was staying at a hotel.

“No,” I said. “I don’t plan on staying in the house long, so I’ll be here for a while. When Paul returns home, I’ll go to the house and get the last of my things.”

On the day that Paul was scheduled to come home, I went over to the house and worked my way through the things that were not damaged by the flooding.

“Emma, are you okay?” he asked as he stepped into the house. “What happened here?”

I turned to him, my eyes cold.

“I’m fine. But the house isn’t. The ceiling doesn’t look too good in some places. But it’s a good thing that’s not our house, right? The landlord’s insurance can cover it.”

To his credit, my husband isn’t stupid and he was able to pick up on my sarcasm easily.

Paul paled, realizing that he was trapped.

“Emma, I can explain,” he said.

“Don’t bother,” I interrupted. “I found the bank records, the ownership documents, and your messages to Helen. I know everything.”

Paul’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

“How could you do that to me?” I asked quietly. “Especially after knowing that I wanted to do things for myself. I wanted us to go on trips together and make memories. But all this time, I was just using my hard-earned money to take care of your mother?”

“What do you want me to tell you? That she’s old and needs it?” Paul asked.

“We both know that’s not the case,” I retorted. “Your father left everything to her. She’s doing fine. And in any case, it’s not that I wouldn’t have wanted to help Helen if I knew. It’s the fact that you’ve been lying for years.”

“Just wait,” Paul said. “I’m sure that we can work through this.”

“No, we cannot,” I replied. “You’ve been using me for years and I’m finally done with all of this.”

I walked out of the house and went back to the hotel where Jessica promised to come over and spend the evening with me.

The next day, I consulted a lawyer and fought to reclaim the money that I had unknowingly handed over to Helen.

In the end, justice prevailed and the court ruled in my favor, ordering Paul and his mother to repay every cent I had given them over the years.

With my newfound financial freedom, I got myself a little apartment, someplace that I could easily lock up and leave when it was time for a getaway.

And as for Paul? After the money was settled, I filed for a divorce, and left him in the past with his mother.

What would you have done?

CHRISTOPHER REEVE WAS READY TO GIVE UP—THEN HIS WIFE SAID 8 LIFE-CHANGING WORDS

Christopher Reeve had a major accident that left him paralyzed. He felt very hopeless and thought about ending his life. But everything changed when his wife said some supportive and encouraging words to him.

Christopher Reeve was well-known for playing Clark Kent in the popular “Superman” movies. His role made him loved by fans all over the world.

Christopher Reeve met his future wife through their shared love for the performing arts. One night, while taking a break, he went to a cabaret show and was captivated by a performer named Dana Morosini.

Getty Images

Winning Dana Morosini’s heart took some effort, but Christopher Reeve eventually succeeded. The couple married in 1992 and welcomed their son, William Reeve, later that same year.

In 1995, Christopher’s life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed from the neck down after a horse-riding accident during a cross-country competition.

Getty Images

In a heartfelt interview in May 2001, six years after his accident, Christopher Reeve talked about how his life had changed. He found it hard to believe that six years had gone by, feeling like the time was both very long and very short.

Christopher shared that he sometimes had flashbacks to the day of the accident, even though he tried not to think about it. He described that day as “very hot, very humid, and very lethargic.”

The Emmy Award winner also remembered feeling that “things weren’t really in the groove” that day. He admitted that he wasn’t fully into the competition and had even thought about going sailing instead.

Over time, Christopher found it easier to accept what had happened. The thoughts about what he could have done differently slowly began to fade.

YouTube/WarnerBrosPicture

Although Christopher knew his injuries might feel heavier over time, he decided to keep moving forward and not let those thoughts control his future.

When asked about how the accident affected his family, Christopher explained that while he had faced many injuries before, he always managed to recover without lasting effects.

He admitted that he used to think, “I must not injure myself to avoid becoming incapacitated.” This time, he realized how deeply his injury affected his loved ones.

He felt very guilty and recognized the burden his condition placed on his wife and children. “It’s okay to make your own mess, as long as it doesn’t affect others,” he said. But this injury had clearly impacted those closest to him.

Getty Images

Christopher recalled always trying to avoid serious injuries that could leave him incapacitated. But this time, he understood how deeply his injury affected his loved ones.

He admitted feeling very guilty, recognizing the burden his condition placed on his wife and children. He reflected, “It’s okay to make your own mess, as long as it doesn’t affect others.” Unfortunately, his injuries had a significant impact on those closest to him.

Getty Images

Christopher wondered how his family would cope and adjust to his condition. He realized they couldn’t do the things they used to do before the accident.

He also worried about how he would support his family financially and felt especially sad for his two older children, Matthew and Alexandra, from his previous relationship. They were only 15 and 11 when he got injured.

Getty Images

When Christopher woke up in the hospital after the accident, he was filled with despair and even thought about ending his life. In a moment of deep vulnerability, he asked his wife, Dana, if she would let him go. Dana looked him in the eye and said, “‘But you’re still you, and I love you.’” Her words gave him hope and strength to keep going.

On Instagram, social media users had strong reactions to this story. One person commented, “That’s so heartbreaking but the strength she gave him has me in awe.” Another user praised Dana, saying, “That is an amazing woman,” while someone else simply stated, “What a sad story.”

Getty Images

Dana’s unwavering love and support became a crucial turning point for Christopher, motivating him to aim for walking again. Her powerful words also inspired the title of his book, “Still Me.” This deep support helped Christopher find reasons to continue despite his injury.

The author encouraged people not to give up, reminding them that breakthroughs can happen. He talked about how, after the initial shock and grief of an accident, people face a choice: to give in to despair or to use their resources to make a positive difference.

For Christopher, the choice was clear—he chose to fight against the physical and emotional challenges, driven by his competitive spirit and determination to overcome the effects of his condition.

Getty Images

Christopher shared that for three years after his accident, he never dreamed of being in a wheelchair. Each morning, it took him a few moments to adjust and remember that he couldn’t move his arms or legs.

Reality often took five to ten minutes to sink in. In his dreams, he still saw himself doing activities he once enjoyed—sailing, riding, traveling, and acting on stage. His mind held onto memories of when he was able-bodied.

Getty Images

Christopher emphasized that while he couldn’t represent all disabilities due to his limited knowledge, he was dedicated to raising awareness. He worked hard to secure a two-hour primetime TV special that highlighted spinal cord injuries and showcased disabled performers.

Through his foundation, Christopher directed 30 percent of the funds raised to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. He personally focused on research, therapies, and finding cures.

Getty Images

The actor acknowledged that, like any public figure, he was aware of differing opinions about his work. He believed everyone, including those with disabilities, had the right to focus their energy on their chosen goals, even if others disagreed with their approach.

Sadly, Christopher Reeve passed away in October 2004 from an infection. A year later, his wife Dana Reeve was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. She also passed away, two years later, in March 2006.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*