I Dumped My Fake-Poor Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1

I thought my husband was broke. For three years, I paid for everything—rent, groceries, even his morning coffee.

Once, while we were out shopping, I saw a $20 purse I liked. He took one look and said it was too expensive.

Then one day, by sheer accident, I found out he bought his first love a $4 million diamond necklace—for her birthday.

Turns out, he wasn't drowning in debt like he led me to believe. He was actually the heir to a billion-dollar empire.

...

I got home late after a long shift, took a quick shower, and collapsed onto my bed. I was scrolling through my phone when a notification popped up that made my heart stop.

"Popular actress Isabella Montgomery receives a $4 million diamond necklace from a mysterious tycoon for her birthday."

My hands trembled as I zoomed in on the photo.

You couldn't see his face, just his back, but after three years of marriage, I'd know him anywhere. The dark mole behind his ear gave him away.

It was Ethan. My husband.

Four million dollars. I couldn't even wrap my head around that kind of money.

Just a few days ago, we were out shopping when I spotted a $200 handbag I really liked. Ethan immediately said it was too expensive and gently talked me out of buying it.

I did the math, $200 could buy a ton of tissues or last us weeks in groceries. So I let it go.

Now, I could barely breathe.

Ethan and I met online.

After chatting for a couple of months, we met up, hit it off instantly, and fell hard. On Valentine's Day, he got down on one knee with a soda can tab fashioned into a ring and said he'd buy me a real diamond once he made it big.

I said yes. Not for the diamond, because I loved him.

He told me he was an orphan, raised in a group home. He'd tried starting a business, but it failed, leaving him over a million dollars in debt. So we kept our wedding simple.

We rented a tiny apartment, and I paid the bills. I also covered most of our day-to-day expenses.

To make ends meet, I worked full-time during the day and picked up night shifts waiting tables.

His entire salary went toward clearing his debt.

I remember him once pulling me into his arms and whispering, "Thank you for giving me a home, Audrey. I've never been this happy."

He cried as he said, "Once I pay everything off, I'll buy you a house, a car... I'll give you the life you deserve. I'm so sorry you have to suffer with me."

I kissed him and told him, "As long as we're together, I'm already happy."

I meant every word. Back then, I thought I was the luckiest woman alive.

Ethan was handsome, kind, didn't smoke or drink, and treated me like I was his whole world. Aside from being broke, he was perfect.

I thought if we both kept grinding, we'd get through this.

But now? Now I couldn't stop crying.

Then, right on cue, a text from Ethan lit up my screen.

"Business is good tonight, Audrey. I'm staying out late to make more for the debt. Don't wait up, get some rest."

He worked as a courier during the day and sometimes picked up gigs as a designated driver at night.

If I hadn't seen that photo, I would've believed every word.

So why was he lying?

I didn't sleep a wink. Ethan never came home.

The next morning, I got ready in a daze and stepped outside. Just as I was about to leave, I froze.

Across the street, I spotted someone I knew too well.

Ethan.

I ducked behind a tree, peeking out as he stepped out of a Bentley. Gone was the sleek suit from the night before, now he was back in the cheap T-shirt and jeans I'd bought him.

A middle-aged man handed him a plastic bag, steamed pork buns and soy milk.

My favorite breakfast.

Just then, another car pulled up. Out stepped the CEO of a big tech firm. My friend worked at his company.

He walked over to Ethan... and bowed slightly.

I blinked, stunned. That man had a reputation, he was powerful, ruthless, respected.

Why was he acting like a junior intern around my husband?

A minute later, Ethan called.

My screen lit up: "Husband"

Tears blurred my vision. I took a breath and picked up.

"Hey, Audrey. I got you your favorite, steamed buns and soy milk."

"I had to head in early today. You eat without me, okay?"

His voice sounded so normal. So warm.

"Alright," I said softly. "I'll eat later."

"I'll cook something nice when you get home," he added.

"Okay."

I hung up and texted my boss to take the day off.

I wasn't going to work today.

I was going to find out who my husband really was.

I camped out at a coffee shop across the street, eyes fixed on our building.

Around noon, Ethan finally came out.

He got into the Bentley. I pulled on a mask and flagged down a taxi, tailing him from a distance.

We stopped at an upscale restaurant, white-glove service, valet parking, the works. The moment the car pulled up, the valet practically sprinted to open the door. Ethan tossed him the keys like he'd done it a hundred times.

I followed at a distance as he disappeared into a private dining room.

Inside, I could see a group of guys already seated, young, smug, dressed in expensive suits. The kind of people who were born into money.

I pretended to be on a call and lingered near the door.

They ordered big, lobster, king crab, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Dishes I'd only ever seen on YouTube.

Meanwhile, at home, Ethan refused to throw away leftovers and insisted we eat them two days in a row.

Laughter burst out from the private room.

"Ethan, you look hilarious in those cheap clothes. The heir to a fortune dressing like a broke college kid, classic!"

"How long are you gonna keep up this act? Don't tell me you're seriously into that country bumpkin wife of yours?"

Then Ethan's voice cut through:

"Please. Audrey's just a toy. Something to kill time. You think I'd fall for someone like her?"

"I told her I was a million in debt, and she actually believed it. She said she'd suffer with me to pay it off. God, she's the most gullible woman I've ever met."

They all roared with laughter.

And in that moment... it felt like my heart had been ripped out and stomped on.

Bleeding. Broken. Unrecognizable.