Sure! Here’s a shorter version that keeps the core meaning and emotional impact:
The color drained from my face. “What?!”
Linda held up her phone. “Photos, voice recordings, texts from Nate—it’s all here.”
I gasped. “You faked this.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“You made it all up!” I shouted. “I never cheated!”
Greg scoffed. “You really expect me to believe that?!”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Yes, because it’s the truth! Greg, I love you. Your mom never liked me, especially because I earned more.”
But he didn’t care. “You betrayed me! We’re keeping everything. YOU don’t deserve it!”
I turned to Linda. “Why destroy my life—just to prove a point?”
She smirked. “You made your bed.”
As neighbors peeked out, I steadied myself. “Fine. Keep it. But this isn’t over.”
In my car, I called Nate. When I mentioned the “proof,” he panicked. I threatened to tell his wife—and he broke. Linda bribed him, and he used AI to fake everything.
I called the police again. This time, I had receipts and serial numbers to prove the furniture was mine. The officers sided with me.
“Ma’am, return the items or face charges.”
Linda stammered. Greg stayed silent. One officer turned to him. “You’re complicit. There’ll be fines for both of you.”
Greg approached me, ashamed. “My love—”
“Save it,” I said. “You never let me explain. We’re done.”
Days later, sitting on my reclaimed couch with a glass of wine, I felt peace. Life had unraveled, but now I could rebuild.
I deserved better—and I was finally ready to start over.
Let me know if you want it even shorter, or turned into a dramatic monologue or story blurb!
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