When my husband, Brian, casually mentioned a work party, I thought nothing of it. We’d been married for ten years, and trust wasn’t something I questioned—until that night turned my world upside down.
Brian came home with an unusual spring in his step. “There’s a work party tomorrow. Just for employees,” he announced, kissing my forehead. “Nothing special, just numbers talk and team bonding. You’d be bored.”
I didn’t think twice. Brian wasn’t the social type, so his excitement struck me as odd, but I brushed it off, assuming it was just a rare mood. The next morning, he was unusually sweet, even buttering me up with compliments and requests: ironing his favorite shirt, making lasagna, and cleaning the house. His requests were normal enough, but something about his behavior made my stomach churn.
As he left for the party, I spent the day fulfilling his requests, trying to shake off the strange feeling lingering in the back of my mind. Then, just as I was finishing up, my phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, and for a moment, I hesitated before answering.
“Hello?” I said.
On the other end, I heard laughter, music, and voices. Then, unmistakably, Brian’s voice cut through the noise: “My wife? She’s probably at home cooking or cleaning toilets. She’s so predictable.”
A woman’s giggle followed his words, and then the line went dead. A moment later, a text came through—a location. My heart pounded. Was this a prank? Or was my husband cheating on me?
I grabbed my keys and drove straight to the address. It was a sleek Airbnb, the kind of place reserved for special occasions. Fancy cars lined the driveway, and through the large windows, I could see a lively crowd. My pulse quickened as I scanned the faces. Then I saw him—Brian, standing in the center of the room, his arm wrapped around a woman in a tight red dress.
I stormed inside, my heart racing with a mix of fury and heartbreak. Brian’s face turned pale as our eyes met. “Emily?” he stammered. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, don’t mind me,” I said, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “I just came to drop off something for my dear husband.” I held up a bucket containing cleaning supplies. “Since you love talking about my cleaning skills, I thought you might need these to clean up the mess you’ve made of our marriage.”
Gasps rippled through the room as I dropped the bucket at his feet. I turned to the crowd. “Enjoy the party, everyone. Just remember: if he cheats with you, he’ll cheat on you!”
Without another word, I walked out, my heels clicking against the marble floor. My phone buzzed again as I reached my car. The same unknown number. “You deserve to know the truth,” the message read.
I called the number, and a woman answered. “My name’s Valerie,” she said. “I used to work with Brian. I’ve been watching him lie and cheat for months. I couldn’t stand by and let you remain in the dark.”
Her words were a mix of bitterness and resolve. She explained how she’d seen Brian’s deceit firsthand and decided to expose him by tipping me off to the party. “I’ve been through this before,” she said. “No one deserves to be treated this way.”
Grateful yet shattered, I thanked her and hung up. The next morning, Brian returned home to find his belongings packed and waiting outside. His key wouldn’t work because I’d secured the lock, and I didn’t care where he’d slept the night before.
My final text to him was simple: “Enjoy.”
That day, I filed for divorce, ready to reclaim my life. The betrayal stung, but taking control of my future was the sweetest revenge. For the first time in years, I felt free.
