Anna suspected that her husband was putting sleeping pills in her tea. That evening, she poured it out while he stepped away and pretended to fall asleep. But what happened next left her dumbfounded…

Anna collapsed onto the bed, pulling the covers over her and slowing her breathing to mimic the deep, drugged sleep she’d experienced so many nights before. Her heart pounded as she sensed Hans lingering in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the hall’s dim light. After a moment, he approached, his footsteps soft but deliberate.

He leaned over her, his breath warm on her cheek, and gently shook her shoulder. Anna, he whispered, his voice barely audible. Are you asleep? She remained still, her breaths deep and even, her body relaxed despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Satisfied, Hans retreated, closing the door softly behind him. Anna lay frozen, ears straining for any sound. She heard the faint creak of furniture, the rustle of papers, then a prolonged silence that set her nerves on edge.

After several agonizing minutes, certain he was occupied, she slipped out of bed, her bare feet cold against the floor. Creeping to the living room, she peered around the corner, her breath catching in her throat. Hans sat at her laptop, the screen’s blue glow casting harsh shadows across his face, illuminating the lines of tension etched into his features.

He typed furiously, scrolling through her files, emails, bank statements, personal documents. Anna’s blood ran cold as she watched him copy files to a USB drive, snap photos of sensitive papers with his phone, and print others, tucking them into a sleek leather folder. His movements were swift, practiced, as if this wasn’t his first violation of her trust.

He accessed her online banking, navigating with a familiarity that made her stomach churn. She saw him photograph her passport, her tax returns, even a draft of her will. When he printed a loan application bearing her name, her knees nearly buckled.

This wasn’t just betrayal, it was a calculated methodical dismantling of her life. Her worst fears crystallized. Hans wasn’t just hiding something, he was orchestrating a sinister scheme, plundering her life while she slept.

But why? Was it money? Greed? A desire to escape their life together? She memorized every detail, the file names he copied, the documents he photographed, the folder he hid in his briefcase. When he finished, he scanned the room, his eyes darting nervously, as if sensing her presence. Then he slipped back toward the bedroom, his steps cautious.

Anna dove under the covers, resuming her feigned sleep, her heart pounding so loudly she feared he’d hear it. She felt him hover over her, his hand grazing her hair as he murmured, sleep tight my love, everything’s under control. The words, once tender, now dripped with menace, sending a shiver of revulsion down her spine.

Anna waited until Hans’s snores echoed from the living room couch, the television’s soft hum masking her movements. She lay awake, her mind racing, piecing together the fragments of his betrayal. The next morning, after he left for work, she called Clara from the safety of her office, her voice cracking with urgency.

It’s true, she said, struggling to keep her composure. Hans is betraying me. I saw him last night, going through my laptop, stealing my documents, accessing my bank accounts.

He’s even trying to take out a loan in my name. Clara’s voice was firm, cutting through Anna’s panic. That’s serious, Anna.

You need to act now. Get a lawyer, someone who can protect you. I’ve already contacted Friedrich Miller, Anna said, clutching her phone.

I’m meeting him today. I’m coming over, Clara said. We’re packing your essentials and getting you out of there…