My partner looks after the house while Im here with you, my love.
The call came from an unknown number, and I heard my husbands voice say, *”My wife is either cooking or cleaning the bathroom right nowsuch a predictable little thingwhile Im here with you, darling.”*
When James told me he had a work event to attend, I thought nothing of it. But that call froze me where I stood. What I heard sent me grabbing the car keysready to confront him the very next day and pack his bags.
After ten years of marriage, I thought I knew James inside and out. Yet last week, I learned that not even a decade together can shield you from betrayalor the quiet thrill of karma striking at the perfect moment.
It began innocently enough.
On a Thursday evening, James strolled in whistling.
*”Brilliant news!”* he announced. *”The firms throwing a do for the team tomorrow. Staff only.”*
He kissed my forehead and dropped his briefcase on the floor.
*”Itll be dull as dishwater, so dont trouble yourself with coming. Just a load of shop talk and finger food.”*
I raised an eyebrow.
James had never been one for parties. His idea of fun was watching cricket highlights. Still, I shrugged.
*”Fine by me,”* I said, already planning the next days chores.
The next morning, he was sweeter than usual. Too sweet.
As I made breakfast, he came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and murmured,
*”You know youre brilliant, dont you?”*
I chuckled. *”Whats with the flattery? Trying to earn brownie points?”*
*”Maybe,”* he said, handing me his favourite white shirtthe one with the stubborn cufflink that always gave me grief.
*”Can you press this? Oh, and while Im out, any chance of your legendary lasagne? Extra cheese. You know how I love it.”*
*”Anything else, your highness?”* I teased.
*”Actually, yes.”* He grinned. *”Could you tidy the loo? I like it spotless. You never know when we might have guests”*
I rolled my eyes but laughed.
James had his quirks, and his diva-like demands never bothered me. If only Id known
That day, I threw myself into housework. The hoover roared, the washing machine spun, the scent of lasagne filled the air. My cleaning playlist hummed in the background, 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, just loud music and muffled laughter. I frowned, assuming a prank.
Then I heard James voice.
*”My wife?”* He laughed. *”Shes either cooking or scrubbing the loo. So predictable. Meanwhile, Im here with you, darling.”*
A woman giggled in the background.
My stomach twisted.
I stood there, phone pressed to my ear, as my world flipped upside-down.
Thensilence.
A moment later, a text. Just an address.
No explanation. Only a location.
I stared at the screen, heart pounding.
Maybe it was a misunderstanding. A joke. But deep down, I knew better.
I didnt cry. Not yet.
Instead, I snatched my coat, grabbed the keys, and stormed straight to that address.
The lasagne could wait.
James was about to get the shock of his life.
The GPS led me to a swanky rental house on the other side of town.
The place was enormouspristine windows, manicured lawn, luxury cars lining the drive. Through the glass door, I spotted well-dressed guests laughing, drinking, looking every bit the part of happy revellers.
My stomach churned at the familiar faces.
I didnt know whod be more stunnedJames or me. But I had to find out.
As I reached the entrance, a security guard appeared.
*”Can I help you, maam?”*
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 handfilled with toilet brushes and disinfectant.
*”Tall bloke, white shirt,”* I said coolly.
He hesitated, then stepped aside.
Inside, every head turned.
And there he wasJames.
Arm in arm with a woman in a red dress.
He looked livelier than he had in years, sipping champagne like he hadnt a care in the world.
My chest tightened.
Every fibre of me wanted to lunge at him, but a voice whispered: *”Be smarter. Make it count.”*
James saw me.
His face paled. He choked on his drink, stumbling back.
*”Emily?”* he croaked. *”Whatwhat are you doing here?”*
*”Hello, darling,”* I said, loud enough for all to hear. *”You forgot something at home.”*
James blinked, baffled.
I lifted the bucket, showing off the brushes and bleach.
*”Since youre so fond of discussing my cleaning skills, I thought you might need these to tidy up the mess youve made of our marriage.”*
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
The woman in red shrank away, mortified.
But I wasnt done.
*”See,”* I announced to the room, *”James loves playing the devoted husband at home. But as you can see, hed much rather play house with someone wholl stroke his ego.”*
*”Emily, please,”* James whispered desperately. *”Lets talk outside”*
*”Oh, now you want privacy?”* I shot back. *”Where was that concern when you mocked me behind my back?”*
I turned to the guests.
*”Enjoy the party. And rememberonce a cheat, always a cheat.”*
With that, I dropped the bucket at his feet and strode out, my heels clicking sharply against the marble.
At the car, my phone buzzed again.
Same unknown number.
A message:
*”You deserved the truth. Im sorry it happened like this.”*
Hands shaking, I called the number.
A woman answered.
*”Hello?”*
*”Who are you?”* I demanded.
*”Im Sophie,”* she said after a pause. *”I work with James.”*
*”Why did you do this?”*
*”Because someone had to,”* she sighed. *”For months, Ive watched him lie and manipulate. It made me sick. You deserved better.”*
I swallowed hard.
*”I had a friend call so youd hear it for yourself. You needed to know.”*
For a moment, I closed my eyes.
I didnt feel anger. I felt gratitude.
The next morning, James found his bags waiting by the door.
When he tried to enter, the locks had already been changed.
I dont knowand dont carewhere he spent the night.
His phone held just one message from me:
*”Enjoy.”*
And for the first time in years, I smiled.
Not from spite.
But because my life was finally mine again.
