Eleven months into my husband's unemployment, I was working a side gig at a hotel when I happened to walk into his promotion party. The big screen in the ballroom read: Congratulations to Neil Rhodes on his promotion to Regional Vice President. One of his friends raised his glass and asked with a smile, "You've been faking unemployment for almost a year, and your wife still hasn't left. Doesn't that prove she's not a gold digger?" Bianca Frazier, his childhood friend, swirled the wine in her glass and said slowly, "Don't be so sure. Real gold diggers are great at putting on a show. At first, they'll spend a little of their own money and act devoted, just waiting for the man to hit it big. You have to hit her where it hurts before you find out who she really is." Neil smiled and didn't argue. A year ago, he had come home with a layoff notice. To pay the mortgage and support the family, I worked days and took side jobs at night. I got by on 6 hours of sleep a night. My younger brother, Bryce Fleming, was at the party too. "Don't worry, Neil, she hasn't suspected a thing. Yesterday she even asked Mom to tell you not to rush into a new job." Satisfied, Neil sent Bryce $100,000. Then he looked at Bianca. "You tell me. What should we do next?" I turned and walked out of the ballroom, then called my supervisor. "I'll take that transfer."