Hearing footsteps, Olivia swiftly deleted the messageone that confessed how desperately the sender missed her and longed to meet againbefore placing the phone back on the bedside table where it had been.
She reread the text on her husbands phone, unable to believe it wasnt some cruel dream. Her husband, her rock, her beloved Paul, was betraying her again.
And not with some young, glamorous model like before. This time, his mistress was a woman at least fifteen years his senior.
When Paul walked in, whistling, Olivia erased the message in a flash. Hed just received a hefty bonus at work, enough to buy her an anniversary gift and whisk his new lover, Natalie, off to the seaside.
Thinking of Natalie made him smile. Hed had many affairsyoung girls, divorcees, even married womenbut none like Natalie. She was his colleague, plump but poised, with a voice like honey and a way of moving that left him spellbound. Age had done nothing to dull her allure. If anything, he intended to savor every last drop of her.
Noticing Olivias grimace, Paul snapped back to reality.
“Something wrong? You seem off.”
“No, just thinking about the anniversary. Could you give me some money to organize the party?”
“Of course, love.”
Olivia didnt understand herself. In the past, shed have raged, threatened divorcebut now, she acted as if nothing had happened, as if she hadnt just read proof of his latest betrayal.
Paul took his phone, pretending to call a colleague before slipping onto the balcony to send Natalie another fiery text. Olivia forced calm. Arguments and tears changed nothing.
This wasnt his first affair. Hed once blamed her post-pregnancy weight, her faded beauty. But now? She was flawlesstoned, glowing, dressed in elegant loungewear, more actress than housewife.
Her friends didnt understand. She came from money, had a degreeshe wouldnt starve with three children. Yet she endured his betrayals, only occasionally mustering the energy to fight, to threaten leaving. Each time, his parents intervened, scolding her for ingratitude.
“Look at our neighbor, Grace! Widowed, working two jobs, sewing at night. Or Veraher husband drinks, she wears rags, so do the kids.”
“But”
“No buts! You live like a princessno job, designer clothes. So what if he strays? Men are like cats; they crave warmth. Nag him, and hell leave. Then what? Four kids and no husband?”
Olivia smiled bitterly. Shed recently seen her father-in-law leaving Graces house. Some reformed family man.
“Polinas right. If he strays, youre lacking. My wife nagged like you? Id have put her in her place. Dont like it? The doors there!”
Her mother-in-laws simpering made Olivia sick. Her own parents had loved faithfully, raised her to demand honesty. No one deserved deceit. So why was it always the wifes fault?
How many tears had she shed? How much spent on fortune-tellers promising to “fix” him? All for nothing.
Friends urged her to run. But where? Her parents home was full. Rent? Could she afford it? No job, three childrenand despite everything, she loved him. Theyd been together since primary school, childhood sweethearts.
Maybe her in-laws were right. Maybe hed tire of it. Maybe it *was* her fault.
Then she remembered the textand fury returned. Before, hed claimed shed let herself go. Now? What excuse was left? What did this older, oddly dyed woman have that she didnt?
And their anniversaryten yearsloomed while he repeated old patterns.
Snatching her phone, she scrolled event planners sites, jotting numbers. One promised any celebration, any surprise, budget permitting. She called immediately.
The next day, the co-owner, Leonard, arrived. Apologizing for his absent partner, he assured her of perfection.
“We have gift catalogs, themesor suggest your own. What does your husband enjoy? Fishing? Cars?”
“Women. And cheating.”
“Pardon?”
“My husband adores women. He cant go a day without betraying me.”
Olivia burst into tears, drawing stares from the café.
“Why tolerate it? Youre enabling him. My younger sister did the same. Now Im raising her children. Do you have kids?”
“Yes.”
“Live for them. Youll find work, a home. Lifes too short.”
“Youre right.”
Dabbing her eyes, Olivia smiled weakly. “Thank you. I know what surprise to plan.”
The next week, she met repeatedly with organizers, finalizing a grand party at a picturesque countryside villa. Invitations went to friends, family, even Pauls colleaguesNatalie included.
Leonard became her rock, showing her not all men were like Paul, offering the support even her parents hadnt.
On the night, Olivia stood in a black lace dress, flawless. Leonard hugged her.
“Ready? No turning back?”
“No. Theres no going back.”
The party was in full swing. Pauls parents held court, indifferent to her absence. He flirted openly with Natalie, stealing moments in the guest loountil Olivia appeared.
“Time for gifts! Darling, in ten years, Ive learned one thing: never argue with a man like you. Accept him as he is. And Im *so* grateful you showed me what marriage should be.”
A massive cake was wheeled inout sprang three women: blonde, brunette, redhead. Olivia watched Pauls stunned face, then whispered to Natalie:
“Think youre special? See how he looks at them. Now look at yourself.”
As Natalie paled, Olivia turned to her mother-in-law.
“Turns out Gregory still visits Grace.”
Before the spluttering reply, she faced Paul.
“Like your gift? Youve always loved womenhow many? Three? Ten? Blondes, brunettes now Natalie. Your parents were right. No more jealousy. Enjoy this lifebut without me. Happy anniversary!”
Gasps filled the room as she took the childrens hands and left. Leonard waited outside.
The divorce was tedious. Paul blamed *her*, yet fought it. Still, the courts ruled.
Friends marveledhow had timid Olivia pulled this off? Simple: Paul funded it. Weekly deposits, anniversary moneyall spent on her freedom.
Years later, she never regretted leaving. Now married to Leonard, adored, her children loved as his own.
Life isnt worth wasting on betrayal. If one thrives while the other sufferswhy stay?
