Olivia sat in the kitchen with her best friend, struggling to hold back tears. Her hands trembled, her thoughts tangled, and her voice kept breaking.
“Wait… He just packed his things and left?” gasped Natalie, her oldest friend.
“Yes,” Olivia croaked. “After twenty years together. Just threw a bag together, said, ‘I’ve fallen for someone else,’ and slammed the door.”
“Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand? Maybe it’s just a midlife crisis?” Natalie ventured weakly.
“Nat, listen to yourself! What misunderstanding? He left. No tears, no drama, no attempt to explain. Like our twenty years together meant nothing.”
Olivia buried her face in her hands. Fresh tears pricked her eyes. She had never felt so hollow, so betrayed.
“Do the kids know?” Natalie asked carefully.
“No… Emma and Jack are at camp. I only put them on the train three days ago. They won’t be back for two weeks… And I don’t even know how to tell them. How?”
“Maybe it’s for the best they’re not home now. You’ll have time… to pull yourself together.”
“Pull myself together? After this? He was my entire life,” Olivia whispered, clutching her head. “How didn’t I see it coming? How?”
A heavy silence settled before Natalie suddenly brightened.
“Let’s get revenge. The good old-fashioned way.”
“What?” Olivia’s head jerked up. “How?”
“Easy. We go on a date tonight. With a stranger. You’re gorgeous, put-together, brilliant. You’ve got a home, money, amazing kids. You’re a catch. Let’s show him you’re not just his ex—you’re the woman men dream of.”
“I don’t know… I still love him.”
“And does he love you? Is this how you treat someone you love, walking out for another woman?” Natalie squeezed her hand. “Come on. What have you got to lose? Just a bit of fun.”
Doubt gnawed at Olivia, but eventually, she nodded. An hour later, the two were scrolling through profiles on a dating app. That evening, Natalie dropped her at a posh restaurant near Covent Garden and winked before driving off.
Olivia, nerves jangling, stepped inside. Table 13. Someone was already seated.
“Sorry I’m late, traffic… Daniel?”
“Olivia?” The man stood abruptly. “No way. What are the odds?”
It was her old colleague—they’d worked side by side for five years. After he left the company, they’d lost touch, but there had always been a spark.
“Fate, huh?” Olivia smiled, sliding into her chair.
Conversation flowed effortlessly. They reminisced about office chaos, mutual friends, ridiculous mishaps. Laughter, ease, warmth—it all came rushing back as if no time had passed. Then Daniel suddenly asked,
“Tell me… why did you decide to go on a date tonight?”
Olivia froze. For a second, she considered lying. But something in his tone made her honest.
“My husband left me. Yesterday. Just packed his things and walked out. Said he’d met someone else. I… don’t know how to move forward.”
Daniel’s gaze dropped. Then he gently took her hand.
“You’re not alone, Liv. And honestly? I’m glad it was you at this table tonight.”
For the first time in twenty-four hours, Olivia didn’t feel discarded—she felt wanted. Seen.
But Daniel was careful.
“Let’s not ruin the night. I’ll call you a cab. But this weekend—let’s meet again. Just as old friends.”
She woke at home. Natalie was snoring in the armchair.
“You stayed all night?” Olivia squinted against the sunlight.
“Uh-huh. A ‘thank you’ would be nice,” Natalie yawned. “So? How was the date?”
“I ran into Daniel,” Olivia murmured.
“That Daniel? The one who nearly fell for you three years ago?”
Olivia nodded. But before she could say more, the doorbell rang. Natalie went to answer while Olivia, stomach twisting, hurried to the bathroom.
“Liv! Visitor,” Natalie called, sarcasm dripping.
“Who?”
Standing in the doorway was… her husband.
“Liv, I’m so sorry… I was an idiot, I made a mistake—”
“You? A mistake? Was it when you went to Brighton with that woman and posted it on Instagram? Or when you ‘stayed at a mate’s’ overnight?”
“I never loved anyone but you… Think of the kids—”
“Don’t you dare bring them into this!” Olivia cut in sharply. “You know what? I went on a date last night. With Daniel. We had a brilliant time. And even if nothing happened, I realised—I don’t need you anymore.”
Her husband paled.
“So you’re with him now?”
“And who were you with when you betrayed me? We’re even.”
He stormed out, white-faced. She exhaled—light, free, as if a weight had lifted.
That evening, she dialled Daniel.
“Hi. I’m officially divorced. Still up for that walk along the Thames?”
“Always, Liv. I’ve been waiting for this call.”
They started seeing each other. No rush, no illusions—just trust and warmth. When the kids returned, Daniel met them as an old family friend. And it worked. Not instantly, not easily, but properly.
Sometimes, destruction is just the start of something better. Olivia understood now. And she’d never let herself be betrayed again.
