I opened every card linked to his accounts and went through the statements one by one. There wasn't a single large transfer related to a home purchase. But Marvin had gone back to his hometown at the end of the year and signed the contract. We'd picked the house together, negotiated the signing date ourselves. The only reason I hadn't been there was because I'd been sick that day. Marvin had even sent me photos from the signing and a copy of the contract.
There on the phone was his chat with me from that day.
My entire body went rigid. I couldn't move.
The naked truth crushed the air from my lungs.
For four years, I'd been the only one saving money. And every dollar I'd saved had become another woman's bride price.
I sat by the window and called the real estate agent who'd handled the house.
"Oh, oh yeah, I remember you!"
"Your husband never came back to sign, though. He said he'd found another place he liked better."
"That unit ended up going to someone else. A young woman."
The agent was still as friendly as ever, a hint of regret in her voice.
"It really was a great deal. I heard she bought it as a wedding home too."