Updated Feb 25, 2026 • ~5 min read
POV: Gabi
I’m looking at our bank account.
Really looking.
For the first time in months.
Brandon always handled the finances.
Said he was better with numbers.
I trusted him.
Big mistake.
Our savings account: $847.
It should have $52,000.
We’ve been saving for a house.
Three years of careful budgeting.
Every extra dollar going into savings.
Gone.
I check the transaction history.
Transfer: $10,000 – March 15
Transfer: $15,000 – April 2
Transfer: $8,000 – April 18
Transfer: $12,000 – May 1
On and on.
Large transfers.
To an account I don’t recognize.
I search the account number.
Nothing.
I call the bank.
“Hi, I’m calling about account transfers from my savings to an external account. Can you tell me who owns the receiving account?”
Typing sounds.
“That account is registered to Vale Ventures LLC.”
“What’s Vale Ventures?”
“I’m not authorized to provide business information.”
“But I’m the account holder.”
“You’re one of the account holders. Your husband would need to authorize—”
I hang up.
Vale Ventures.
Brandon’s company.
He’s been moving OUR money into HIS business account.
Fifty thousand dollars.
Plus whatever he scammed from those women.
Where did it all go?
I call Nix.
“Can you look into a business account for me?”
NIX
Vale Ventures LLC.
Registered business in Washington State.
Owner: Brandon Vale.
I pull the records.
Account opened: Two years ago.
Initial deposit: $5,000.
Then large deposits.
$10K. $15K. $8K.
From Brandon’s joint account with Gabi.
And from various individuals.
The scammed women.
Total incoming: Approximately $180,000 over two years.
Current balance: $143.
What the fuck.
Where did $180,000 go in two years?
I dig deeper.
Transaction history.
Withdrawals.
Hundreds of them.
Most to the same places.
Emerald Queen Casino: $5,000
Muckleshoot Casino: $8,000
Snoqualmie Casino: $12,000
Casino after casino.
He gambled it away.
All of it.
I call Gabi.
GABI
“Tell me you found the money.”
“I found where it went.”
“Where?”
Nix pauses.
“Casinos. He’s been gambling. All of it’s gone.”
I can’t breathe.
“How much?”
“Based on the records? About $180,000 over two years.”
“That’s our savings. The women’s money. Everything.”
“I know.”
“What did he win?”
“Nothing. He lost it all.”
I sit down.
Head in my hands.
“He has a gambling addiction.”
“Looks that way.”
“And he’s been funding it with fraud.”
“Yes.”
“I’m married to a con artist.”
“Yes.”
I laugh.
It comes out hysterical.
“Are you okay?” Nix asks.
“No. But I will be.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Confront him. Tonight.”
“Gabi, wait—”
“I’m done waiting. I have enough evidence. I want the truth. From him.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
But I won’t.
I’m going to destroy him.
BRANDON
I come home at 8.
Gabi is sitting on the couch.
Waiting.
“Hey baby. Rough day?”
“Sit down, Brandon.”
Her tone makes me nervous.
“What’s wrong?”
“SIT. DOWN.”
I sit.
She pulls out her laptop.
Turns it toward me.
Our bank account.
Transaction history visible.
Shit.
“Want to explain this?”
Play dumb.
“Explain what?”
“The fifty thousand dollars you transferred to your business account.”
“That’s for the company. Operational costs—”
“Bull shit.”
She’s never sworn at me before.
“Gabi—”
“I know about the casinos, Brandon. I know you’ve been gambling.”
How does she know?
“I can explain—”
“You gambled away our savings. Our house fund. Everything we worked for.”
“It’s not what you think—”
“And the women. The ones you scammed using MY identity. You gambled their money too.”
Cold fear runs down my spine.
“How do you—”
“I hired a private investigator. I know everything.”
I stand.
“You hired a PI? You went behind my back?”
“You’re seriously making this about ME right now?”
“You had no right—”
“You have NO right to talk about rights! You stole my identity! You scammed innocent women! You GAMBLED AWAY our future!”
She’s screaming.
I need to flip this.
Make her the problem.
“I did it for US.”
“Excuse me?”
“The gambling. I was trying to WIN. To get us MORE money. For the house. For our future.”
“That’s insane.”
“I was on a winning streak. I just needed one more—”
“Stop. Just stop.”
She’s crying now.
“I want a divorce.”
The words hit like a punch.
“What?”
“I’m filing for divorce. And I’m pressing charges for fraud.”
Panic rises.
“Gabi, wait—”
“No. I’m done. We’re done.”
I need to threaten her.
Make her scared.
“If you press charges, I’ll tell the police you helped me.”
She stops.
“What?”
“You’re on the joint account. Your name is on the business. Legally, you’re complicit.”
“I didn’t know—”
“Can you prove that? In court?”
Her face pales.
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
GABI
He’s threatening me.
My own husband.
“You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?”
He steps closer.
I step back.
“You go to the police, I’ll say you were in on it. That we planned it together. Your word against mine.”
“I have evidence I wasn’t involved.”
“Do you? Or do you just have your story?”
He’s right.
I don’t have proof I was innocent.
Just proof the crimes happened.
“Get out,” I whisper.
“This is my apartment too.”
“GET OUT!”
I throw the laptop at him.
He dodges.
“Fine. I’ll stay at the office tonight. But Gabi?”
He’s at the door.
Turns back.
“Think carefully before you do something you’ll regret. Because if you try to destroy me, I’ll take you down with me.”
Then he’s gone.
I collapse on the floor.
Sobbing.
My phone buzzes.
Nix.
Nix: You okay? Did you talk to him?
I can’t answer.
Can’t form words.
Nix: Gabi. Answer me.
Me: He threatened me. Said he’d tell police I was involved if I press charges.
Three dots.
Nix: I’m coming over.
Me: You don’t have to—
Nix: I’m already in my car.
END OF CHAPTER 7
Reader Reactions