Imposter’s Blues

On the first day of my marriage to Max, I gave him a supplementary credit card under my account. At first, he used it for everyday necessities, and I didn’t bother to question the small, trivial expenses.

Later, he realized the card’s credit limit far exceeded his expectations and began recklessly splurging on luxury items to boost his image. Nevertheless, I didn’t want to make a fuss.

Alas, I never expected him to spend my money while shamelessly fawning over someone else in front of me. I quickly deactivated Max’s supplementary card.

On Saturday, Max took my custom blue Santana from the garage, trying to maintain his pretentious image.

"Max, your car is so cool!"

He basked in the compliments, clearly enjoying the flattery. Lately, he’d heard so much praise it probably started to feel routine.

Since it was the weekend, I planned to relax. I booked an appointment at the most scenic spa in the city.

Unfortunately, I forgot the restaurant and the spa were located in the same area—Goldenrod Manor, prime real estate owned by my family. For convenience, I’d decided to establish both venues there.

"Emily, you’re so shameless! You weren’t invited, yet you still followed us here?"

"We should’ve made it clear not to include her. She’s such a buzzkill."

"People like her, who lack exposure to luxury, will do anything to force their way in."

A few colleagues turned to glare at me with disdain. It seemed like I’d made life too convenient for others.

The spa manager received my message and personally came to greet me at the door. "Welcome home, Miss."

A row of 6-foot-tall, modelesque attendants in sleek black suits bowed in unison. What an embarrassing lineup; this was what happened when you let the housekeeper run the business.

The scene startled my colleagues who stared, though not at me, but rather at Grace behind me.

Grace looked flustered, trying to act surprised as if overwhelmed by the gesture. “I didn’t expect the staff to prepare such a surprise for me. How thoughtful..."

In confusion, the manager was about to correct her but stopped when I shot him a look. The show was just beginning, and I was looking forward to it.

While the colleagues showered Max and Grace with attention, I turned and walked into the spa.

Soon, I was soaking in the hot spring, enjoying a luxurious glass of wine prepared by the staff. The only downside? My phone kept pinging with frantic messages from Max.

"Emily, what’s going on? Why isn’t my card working?"

"Emily, answer me!"

"Emily, unfreeze the card right now! You’re humiliating me!"

"Emily, if you don’t unfreeze the card, I’ll divorce you!"

I ignored his messages, and when that didn’t work, he called me repeatedly. I let it ring. Finally, I sent a quick message to the restaurant manager. "Double the bill."

Oblivious to the change, Max took the check and was floored by the final amount. "That’s way too damn expensive!"

Hearing his exclamation, the colleagues leaned in to see.

"Wow, no wonder this is the city’s top restaurant—the prices match the reputation."

"We’re so lucky to have Max treat us. Thank you, Max!"

"This is pocket change for someone like Max."

Confident that my supplementary card would cover it, Max brushed it off. "It’s nothing. As long as everyone enjoys the meal."

However, the card was declined when the manager tried to process the payment. "Sir, this card has been deactivated."

"What? That’s impossible."

Max began to panic. He had grown accustomed to spending extravagantly using my card while his own salary barely covered his daily expenses, leaving him with no savings.

"Sir, if you intend to dine and dash, we will call the police."

"There’s money on the card—it must be a problem with your machine!" Max kept messaging me, begging for help, but I didn’t respond.

Some of the colleagues noticed the commotion and joked.

"Max must have too many cards and forgot the PIN."

"Exactly! These service staff are so impatient."

However, the restaurant manager, who remained unfazed, called the police on his phone and calmly pressed Max for an answer, "So, sir, how do you plan to pay?"