**The Surprise He Didnt See Coming**
My wifes at home cooking and scrubbing the loo while Im here with you, love.
An unknown number rang me, and I heard my husbands voice say: *”My wifes probably cooking or cleaning the bathroom right now. And here I am with you, darling.”*
When my husband, James, told me he had a work party to attend, I didnt think twice. But then I got a call that froze me in my tracks. What I heard on that call had me grabbing the car keysready to confront him and, by morning, pack his bags.
After ten years of marriage, I thought I knew James inside out. But last week, I learned that not even a decade together shields you from betrayalor the sweet satisfaction of karma striking at just the right moment.
It all started innocently enough.
On Thursday evening, James strolled through the door humming, an unusual spring in his step.
*”Brilliant news!”* he announced. *”The companys throwing a do tomorrow night. Employees only.”*
He kissed my forehead and dropped his briefcase on the floor.
*”Itll be dull as ditchwaterdont bother coming. Just a lot of shop talk and spreadsheets.”*
I raised an eyebrow.
James wasnt exactly the life of the party. His idea of a wild night was watching golf with a cuppa. But I shrugged.
*”Fine by me,”* I said, already mentally scheduling the next days chores.
The next morning, he was sweeter than usual. *Too* sweet.
As I scrambled eggs, James sidled up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and whispered:
*”Youre absolutely brilliant, you know that?”*
I laughed. *”Whats this about? Trying to earn brownie points?”*
*”Maybe,”* he grinned, handing me his favourite white shirtthe one with the annoyingly loose button. *”Could you iron this? Oh, and while Im out, how about making my favourite lasagne? Extra cheesy. You know how I like it.”*
*”Anything else, your majesty?”* I teased.
*”Actually yes,”* he smirked. *”Could you clean the bathroom? You know I like it spotless. Never know when we might have guests”*
I rolled my eyes but chuckled.
James had his quirks, and though his requests bordered on diva behaviour, I didnt think much of it. If only Id known
That day, I threw myself into housework.
The Hoover roared, the washing machine churned, and the house filled with the smell of lasagne. In the background, my cleaning playlist played, and for a moment, life felt normal.
Then the phone rang.
Unknown number.
I nearly ignored it, but something made me answer.
*”Hello?”*
At first, all I heard was loud music and muffled laughter. I frowned, assuming a prank.
Then I heard James voice.
*”My wife?”* he said, laughing. *”Shes probably scrubbing the loo or cooking. So predictable. And here I am, with you, love.”*
A woman giggled in the background.
My stomach lurched.
I stood frozen, phone pressed to my ear, as my world tilted sideways.
The call dropped.
Seconds later, a text pingedjust an address.
No explanation. Just a location.
I stared at the screen, heart hammering.
Maybe it was a mistake. A joke. But deep down, I knew it wasnt.
I didnt cry. Not yet.
Instead, I grabbed my coat, snatched the keys, and drove straight to the address.
The lasagne could wait.
James was about to get the shock of his life.
The GPS led me to a swanky Airbnb across town.
The place was massivegleaming windows, manicured lawn. Outside, a row of flashy cars lined the drive. Through the glass doors, I saw people laughing, drinking, living their best lives.
My stomach twisted at the sight of familiar faces.
Whod be more stunnedJames or me? I was about to find out.
As I neared the entrance, a security guard appeared.
*”Can I help you, madam?”*
I forced a smile. *”Just dropping something off for my husband.”*
The guard eyed me suspiciously, especially when he spotted the cleaning bucket in my handcomplete with a toilet brush and a bottle of bleach.
*”Tall bloke in a white shirt,”* I said, keeping my voice steady.
He hesitated but, deciding I wasnt a threat, stepped aside.
The moment I walked in, every head turned.
And there he was.
James, centre of the room, arm slung around a woman in a tight red dress.
He looked more alive than he had in yearslaughing, sipping champagne, like he hadnt a care in the world.
My chest tightened.
Every part of me wanted to lunge at him, but a voice in my head whispered: *”Be smarter. Make it count.”*
James saw me.
The colour drained from his face. He choked on his drink and stumbled back.
*”Emily?”* he stammered, peeling himself off the woman beside him. *”Whatwhat are you doing here?”*
*”Hello, darling,”* I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. *”You forgot something at home.”*
James blinked, confused.
I lifted the cleaning bucket and held up the toilet brush and bleach.
*”Since you love talking about my scrubbing skills, thought you might need these to clean up the mess youve made of our marriage.”*
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
The woman in red inched away, suddenly very interested in her shoes.
But I wasnt done.
*”You see,”* I announced to the room, *”James likes to play the doting husband at home. But as you can see, hed rather play house with whoever strokes his ego.”*
*”Emily, please,”* James begged, voice cracking. *”Lets talk outside.”*
*”Oh, now you want privacy?”* I replied. *”Where was that concern when you were mocking me behind my back?”*
I turned to the crowd.
*”Enjoy the party. And rememberonce a cheat, always a cheat.”*
With that, I dumped the bucket at his feet and walked out, my heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.
Back in the car, my phone buzzed again.
Same unknown number.
The message read:
*”You deserved to know. Im sorry it had to be this way.”*
My hands shook as I dialled the number.
A woman answered.
*”Hello?”*
*”Who is this?”* I asked.
*”Im Charlotte,”* she said after a pause. *”I work with James.”*
*”Why did you do this?”*
*”Because someone had to,”* she sighed. *”Ive watched him lie for months. It made me sick. You didnt deserve that.”*
I swallowed hard.
*”I had a friend call you so you could hear it for yourself. You needed to know.”*
I closed my eyes for a second.
I didnt feel rage. I felt relief.
The next morning, James found his suitcases on the doorstep.
When he tried the door, the locks had been changed.
I dont knowor carewhere he spent the night.
The only text I sent him:
*”Enjoy.”*
And for the first time in years, I smiled.
Not out of spite.
But because, finally, my life was back in my hands.
