When I married Simon, I truly believed that love and respect would be the bedrock of our marriage. But as the years rolled on, his attitude toward me gradually shifted. He stopped appreciating my cooking, barely noticed the cosy atmosphere Id worked so hard to create in our home, and instead, hed drop sarcastic remarks whenever he could.
Family get-togethers were the worst. Simon would crack jokes at my expense, spinning stories about my little blunders and making the whole room roar with laughteralways leaving me as the punchline.
I put up with it. For years, Id brush it off, smiling and convincing myself that it was just his way. But then, on our 20th wedding anniversary, with all our family and friends gathered around the table, Simon outdid himself. In front of our kids, friends, and relatives, he quipped, with that trademark mockery, that Id never survive a day without his invaluable advice and help. Everyone laughed, and that was when something inside me snapped.
That night, lying awake in the dark, I made a decision: he was going to get exactly what he deserved. But I wasnt after angry scenes or a dramatic, showy revenge. No, I wanted something graceful and clever.
So I started to do more for myself. I signed up for painting classes, headed down to the gym again, andmost cruciallykept cooking the meals Simon adored, but just a touch off. His favourite shepherds pie was suddenly a bit too salty, his morning tea came out watery, and when I ironed his shirts, they were never quite crisp. Hed grumble and moan, but Id just give him a gentle smile and say, Oh, sorry, love. Must just be all the things Ive got on my plate these days.
Next, I made it clear I was perfectly fine without him. I got out morecatching up with girlfriends, joining new clubs, taking long walks in Hyde Park. Simon, whod only ever seen me as his dutiful wife, started to notice he wasnt in charge anymore. He grew restless, even angry, as I became more confident, more cheerful, and, the best bituntouchable to him.
The crowning moment of my quiet revenge was on his birthday. I threw him a big bash, invited all his mates and colleagues, and booked a lovely spot at a posh restaurant. Everything seemed picture perfect. But when it was time for my speech, instead of singing his praises, I shared hilariousif a bit embarrassingtales about his own mishaps, his tendency to forget important things, and a few of his clumsy episodes over the years.
I told the stories warmly, laughing along with the crowd, but I could see Simon turning crimson with embarrassment and barely containing his annoyance under the table. As everyone chuckled, he sat there with clenched fists and a face like thunder.
For days after the party, Simon barely spoke, clearly mulling it all over. I could tell from the look in his eyes that he knewhed lost his hold on me. He tried to slip back into the old ways, but it was too late. I was a different woman by then. His words and sneers no longer had any power over me. Id learned to value myself and love who I was.
Before long, he stopped making jokes about me in front of our family, started pitching in more around the house, and one day, he even admitted, Youve changed… Im not sure how to handle it.
I just smiled and got on with my brighter, fuller life. Sometimes, you see, revenge isnt about tearing things down. Its about building yourself up. And in the end, it makes you strongerand teaches others to treat you the way you deserve.
