My husband and his lover changed the locks while I was at work, but they had no idea what was coming for them.
I stand at the door of my own home in Zaragoza, the key I hold refusing to turn the new lock, and I feel my heart shatter. The marriage I fought so hard to keep has collapsed in an instant. Yet my cheating husband and his lover have no clue about the lesson Im about to teachone theyll never forget.
Jaime, its almost ten, I said, voice trembling as I called him the night before. You promised to be home by seven.
He drops the keys on the nightstand without looking at me.
Work, Lucía. What am I supposed to tell the boss? That I have to go home to my wife? his tone drips with irritation, as if I were a nuisance.
I swallow hard, eyeing the table Id set for a modest birthday dinner. Two candles flicker beside the cake I bought during my lunch break.
Yes, Jaime. Thats exactly what you could dofor once, I say, crossing my arms, holding back tears. Its my birthday today.
He finally glances at the table, his face tightening in realization.
Dammit, Lucía, I forgot he mutters, running a hand through his hair.
Obviously, I reply coldly, feeling the pain choke me from inside.
Dont start, he protests. Im working for us, you know that.
I smile bitterly.
For us? I retort. Youre barely home, Jaime. When was the last time we ate together? Watched a movie? Talked like a married couple?
Thats unfair, he frowns. Im building a career so we have a future.
What future? We live like strangers under the same roof! my voice cracks. I earn more than you, so dont hide behind providing for the family.
His expression hardens.
Sure, you were going to use that against me, he snaps sarcastically. How am I supposed to keep up with my successful wife?
I wasnt talking about that
Enough, Lucía. Im going to bed, he cuts the conversation short and leaves, leaving me alone with a cold cake and burntout candles.
I blow them out, whispering to myself that everything will get better. Its my husband. I love him. Marriages have problems, right? Thats what everyone says.
How did I make such a foolish mistake in forgiving him so easily?
Wed been married three years, but the last year was a slow, painful disintegration. We didnt have childrenand, looking back, Im grateful for that. My job as a marketing director supplied most of our income, while Jaime, a sales executive, constantly complained about stress, long hours, traffic everything except the truth I discovered far too late.
Three weeks after my ruined birthday, I return home earlier than usualan excruciating headache pounding. I just want a pill and my bed. Yet as I pull up to our house on the outskirts of Zaragoza, something feels off. The brass knob and lock that used to gleam are now replaced with a shiny, silver set.
What? I mutter, inserting the key. It wont go in.
I try again; the key wont turn. Confused, I check the address. Its definitely my home.
Then I spot a note stuck to the door, Jaimes familiar handwriting glaring at me: This is no longer your house. Find somewhere else.
The world blurs. My blood turns to ice.
What the hell? I gasp.
I pound on the door, shouting his name. It finally swings open. Jaime stands there, and behind him a woman wearing my cashmere nightgowna gift from my mother.
Really? My voice shakes with fury and hurt.
Lucía, listen, he says, crossing his arms, a smug smile on his face. Im moving on. Ana and I are together. We need this apartment. You should find someone else.
Ana. The same just a coworker Id heard him mention for months. She steps forward, hands on her hips, and declares:
Your stuff is boxed in the garage. Take it and get out.
I stare at them, stunned. Then I turn and walk to the car, determination bubbling inside me. They think they can throw me out like trash and get away with it, but I wont surrender. I need a plana solid, calculated one.
I knew exactly who to call.
Lucía? God, whats happened? my sister Carla opens her apartment door, sees my tearstreaked face, and pulls me inside. Whats going on?
I collapse onto her sofa, the story spilling out between sobs.
Damned bastard! Carla hisses once Im done. And Ana stole your nightgown?
The one Mom gave me, I sniff, wiping my eyes. The cashmere one from last birthday.
Carla disappears to the kitchen and returns with two glasses of wine.
Drink, she orders. Then well figure out how to make them pay.
What can I do? I sip, trying to stay calm. The apartment is in Jaimes name. The mortgage was under his credit because my loan was still being processed after my masters.
Carla narrows her eyes.
And who paid for everything else? she asks.
We both did, but I pause, realizing. I bought everything: the furniture, appliances, the bathroom remodel last year. All in my name.
Exactly! she smiles cunningly. What does Jaime have besides an empty flat?
I open my banking app and pull up the transaction history.
I have all the receipts. Ive always kept the accounts.
Of course, Miss Accountant, she laughs. Queen of order!
For the first time since that horrific day, I feel a grip on control returning.
They think theyve won, dont they? I whisper.
Carla clinks her glass against mine.
They have no idea who theyre dealing with.
The next morning I call my lawyer friend, Marina.
What he did is illegal, she says after a sip of coffee. He cant change the lock and evict you, even if the lease is in his name. You have the right to stay.
I dont want to go back, I reply firmly. But I do want whats mine.
Marina smiles.
Then lets make a list.
We spend the morning cataloguing everything I bought for the flat: sofa, TV, fridge, even the rugs. By noon I have a detailed inventory with receipts, dates, and amounts.
Impressive, she nods. With this evidence, no one can deny its yours.
So I can take it all? I ask.
Legally, yes. Though Id recommend involving police to avoid trespassing accusations.
I remember Jaimes smug grin, Ana in my nightgown, their certainty that everything was under control.
No, I say slowly. I have a better idea.
That same day I reach out to a moving company. The owner, Sergio, listens to my story and nods sympathetically.
Weve handled a similar case before, he says. Tomorrow, while Jaime and Ana step out for coffee, the movers will use my old key to go in and haul out everything I own, right down to the last fork I bought with my salary, leaving the place so empty even the echoes have nowhere to hide.
