Trophy Wife

Jake Carter rolled out of bed, groaning as he silenced the blaring alarm clock with a heavy hand. He squinted against the early morning light streaming through the thin curtains, his dark brown hair tousled from sleep. He rubbed his face, feeling the rough stubble beneath his fingers. Another day, another dollar—if he was lucky. After a quick, cold shower, Jake dressed in his usual outfit: a worn brown leather jacket, a grey t-shirt that had seen better days, and jeans that were starting to fray at the hems. His scuffed boots were the only pair he owned, and they showed the years of wear. He looked at himself in the small mirror by the door, seeing a man who was tired, disillusioned, and stuck in a life going nowhere. With a sigh, he grabbed his keys and headed out. The small apartment felt more like a prison these days, each corner reminding him of all the plans he’d never accomplished. As he walked down the cracked sidewalks towards the diner, Jake’s thoughts were consumed by the monotony of his life. Another day at a job he hated, followed by another night alone in that dingy apartment. It was a cycle he was **** to break, but he didn’t know how.

The moment Jake stepped into the diner, he knew something was different. The place was quiet, almost too quiet. The usual clatter of dishes and murmur of conversations were absent, replaced by an eerie stillness. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on a man sitting alone in the corner booth. The stranger was out of place in this rundown diner. He was dressed in a sharp, tailored suit, his hair slicked back with not a strand out of place. Everything about him screamed wealth and power. As Jake stood frozen in the doorway, the man looked up, his gaze locking onto Jake’s with an intensity that made his stomach tighten.

"Mr. Carter, I presume?" the man said, his voice smooth and commanding.

Jake blinked in surprise. "Yeah, that’s me. Do I know you?"

The man gestured to the seat across from him. "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss."

Jake hesitated, every instinct telling him to walk away. But something in the man’s tone made it impossible to refuse. Slowly, he made his way to the booth and slid into the seat.

"Who are you?" Jake asked, his voice more defensive than he intended.

"My name is Donovan," the man replied, folding his hands neatly on the table. "And I represent a group of individuals with a unique proposition for you."

Jake frowned. "What kind of proposition?"

Donovan smiled, a gesture that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "One that could change your life, Mr. Carter. Permanently. But before we get into the details, I need to know—are you open to the possibility of becoming someone else entirely? Of leaving your old life behind?"

Jake stared at him, not sure if he was serious. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"No joke," Donovan assured him. "What I’m offering is very real, and very serious."

Jake leaned back, crossing his arms. "Why me? I’m nobody. What could you possibly want from me?"

Donovan’s smile widened, though it still lacked warmth. "It’s precisely because you’re nobody that you’re perfect for this opportunity. You have nothing tying you down, no one to miss you if you were to…disappear."

The words sent a chill down Jake’s spine. He glanced around the diner, noticing that they were still the only ones there. Even the usual waitstaff were nowhere to be seen.

"So what exactly is this offer?" Jake asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Donovan reached into his jacket and pulled out a sleek black folder, sliding it across the table. "Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know. Take it home, read it thoroughly, and think carefully about what you want out of life."

Jake stared at the folder, his heart pounding in his chest. "And what if I say no?"

Donovan’s expression didn’t change. "That’s your choice, Mr. Carter. But before you decide, I suggest you consider the life you’re living now. Is this really what you want? Or are you ready for something more?"

Jake looked down at the folder, his mind racing. This had to be some kind of scam, but the way Donovan spoke made it hard to believe that. He was offering something—something big—and deep down, Jake knew he couldn’t just walk away without at least knowing what it was.

"I’ll think about it," Jake said finally, grabbing the folder.

"Good," Donovan said, standing up. "I’ll be in touch. But remember, opportunities like this don’t come around often. Don’t take too long."

With that, Donovan turned and walked out of the diner, leaving Jake alone with his thoughts. He watched the man leave, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity.

Later that night, Jake sat on his worn-out couch, the black folder in his lap. He’d been staring at it for hours, too afraid to open it, yet too curious to ignore it. Finally, with a deep breath, he flipped it open. Inside, the documents outlined an offer that seemed straight out of a movie. A complete transformation—physical, mental, everything. He would become someone entirely new, someone with a life of luxury, wealth, and power. But there was a catch: he would have to give up his identity as Jake Carter entirely.

"Jesus," Jake muttered, running a hand through his hair. "This is insane."

But the more he read, the more real it became. The details were meticulous, the promises alluring. A new life, free from the struggles and disappointments that had plagued him for years. But at the cost of becoming someone else entirely.

As he closed the folder, Jake knew he was standing at a crossroads. He could continue on as Jake Carter, living a life that felt more like a prison with each passing day. Or he could take the plunge, accept Donovan’s offer, and step into a new world—a world that promised everything he’d ever wanted but at a price he wasn’t sure he could pay. He leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. "What the hell am I going to do?"

But deep down, Jake already knew the answer.