He Laughed at My “Imaginary” Business Trip Until He Learned About My $4M Home Business

Furniture tends to be more expensive and factors such as the material are also important. Even though I had worked in an import shop before, there are risks involved in sourcing furniture sight unseen and selling it.

So I decided to call my old boss at the import shop to discuss the matter. “Hello, is this the manager? I have something I want to discuss with you.”

As soon as the manager Maggie recognized it was me, she sounded genuinely excited. “Hannah, it’s been a while! If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

“Well, I’ve had some requests to sell furniture in my online shop.”

“Furniture? That sounds like a challenge.”

“So I was thinking of checking out the actual items before selling them. How did you source your items, Maggie?”

“I see what you’re saying. I can definitely help with that.”

Maggie, who had connections with overseas suppliers from before, offered to contact one of them and arrange for them to provide furniture to my online shop. Thanks to my long-standing relationship with Maggie, the overseas supplier was happy to comply with Maggie’s suggestion.

I decided I would travel abroad to source the furniture. However, I couldn’t just go abroad without telling my husband.

The Confrontation and the Trip

So that night, I broached the subject with him. “Jake, about the week after next, would it be okay if I was away for about a week?”

“A week? Why so long?”

“Well, you see, I might have to go abroad for work with Maggie from the shop I used to work at.”

“Huh? Abroad? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable.”

“What?”

My husband pointed at me, his expression one of mockery. “You’re going overseas for work? You’re practically unemployed! What are you even talking about?”

“Well, wait a minute. You know I run an online shop, right? This trip abroad is for sourcing items for the shop.”

“So you think I’ll just believe you if you tell a work-related lie? Are you stupid?”

“Your little amateur shop… there’s only so far I can go.”

“Think what you want, but right now our sales are decent and our customers are increasing steadily. This time it was because of a customer’s request.”

“If you’re too persistent anyway, I won’t allow you, practically a shut-in, to leave home for a whole week.”

With a beer in hand, my husband stomped off to the bathroom. A deep sigh unconsciously escaped from my lips.

Why can’t he try to understand? His reaction is too harsh just because he doesn’t approve of my work.

But I can’t just go abroad without his permission. I must persuade him at any cost.

Although I was hesitant to continue the discussion, I couldn’t ignore the issue. The next day, when my husband came back from work, I spoke to him again.

“Jake, about yesterday’s discussion…”

“Look, I’m tired. I don’t have time to indulge in your lies.”

“Lies? I’m only speaking the truth.”

“An unemployed person going on a business trip abroad? You’re quite good at lying.”

“I’m not lying! I really have to go abroad for work.”

At that moment, as I grabbed his arm to plead with him, he looked down at me as if to mock me. “Oh, really? Then liars get divorced, too.”

“Divorced? What are you saying?”

“You know I really can’t stand liars, especially pointless people like you who are always trying to show off your success.”

“I… I didn’t mean…”

“Shut up! You just want to use a lame excuse to go on a vacation abroad.”

“I bet your boss is a man, too, right? Divorce, divorce! I’ll make sure to demand property division.”

Saying this, he stormed out of the room. At that moment, a furious rage swelled up within me, making my veins pop.

Who does he think he is? He looks down on me just because I work from home.

He only wants to feel superior. Enough is enough.

If he wants it that way, then I’ll do as I please. From then on, I stopped seeking his permission for my actions and decided to go on my business trip abroad.

The Return and the Reveal

Two weeks later, as scheduled, I headed overseas with Maggie. We went directly to our UK suppliers where we inspected the furniture and accessories that I would sell in my boutique.

Taking advantage of being abroad, I spent the last day sightseeing with Maggie and was able to enjoy some fulfilling days. That said, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

My phone was filled with a barrage of messages from my husband, Jake. “Jake, you didn’t really go overseas, did you? Get back here right now! I’ll forgive you if you return today. Time’s up! We’re getting divorced, you worthless woman!”

His every message filled me with irritation, but I didn’t reply. I knew that any response from me would only escalate the situation.

When I return, if he’s open to it, we’ll talk again. With that decision in my heart, I spent a carefree week abroad.

The business trip was over, and I bid farewell to Maggie at the airport and set out on my return journey. Facing Jake was awkward, but I steeled myself and opened the front door.

“I’m home.”

The lights in the house were off and there was no welcome back. As I headed to the living room, laundry was scattered on the floor and there was no place to step.

Used dishes and instant noodle containers were left as they were in the sink. In the midst of this, I glanced at the desk and saw a piece of paper.

“What is this?”

It was a filled out divorce paper. Beside it was written roughly:

“To the cheating jobless woman. I’m ending things with you who don’t even listen. Fill out the divorce papers immediately. If you want forgiveness, come here at my parents’ house, then I’ll reconsider.”

Just reading the note, I could picture Jake’s smug face. He probably thinks that if he wrote this, I’d rush to apologize.

Of course, I had no such intentions. I signed the divorce papers that had been left for me and headed straight to the state court.

With no problems, the divorce was accepted smoothly. Next, I went to the real estate agent and requested to cancel my current apartment lease.

Actually, the place I’m living now is the apartment I lived in when I was single. Jake moved in when we started living together because it was spacious enough.

We had talks about moving to a bigger place once we have kids, but there’s no need for that now. After finishing the lease cancellation, I immediately started packing up.

The next day, I sent all my belongings back to my parents’ house and scheduled Jake’s belongings to be delivered to his parents’ house. All the while, he continued to send me messages filled with absurd demands.

“Stop being stubborn and come apologize now! You have until the end of the week, you hear!”

And so on. Of course, I ignored all of them, and after emptying the apartment, I headed back to my parents’ home.