My wife’s at home taking care of the house while Im here with you, my love.
An unknown number called me, and I heard my husbands voice say: “My wife is cooking and scrubbing the loo while Im here with you, darling.”
When my husband told me he had a work party to attend, I didnt think twice. But then I got a call that left me frozen. What I heard on the phone had me grabbing my car keysI was ready to confront him, and by the next day, pack his bags.
After ten years of marriage, I thought I knew Richard like the back of my hand. But last week, I realised even a decade together doesnt shield you from betrayalor the satisfaction of watching karma strike at just the right moment.
It all started innocently enough.
On Thursday evening, Richard strolled through the door humming, an unusual spring in his step.
“Brilliant news!” he announced. “The firms throwing a do tomorrow night. Employees only.”
He kissed my forehead and dropped his briefcase by the sofa.
“Bound to be dull, no need for you to bother showing up. Just a load of shop talk and spreadsheets.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Richard was never one for parties. His idea of fun was watching golf on telly. But I shrugged.
“Fine by me,” I said, already thinking about the next days chores.
The next morning, he was sweeter than usual. Too sweet.
As I whipped up breakfast, he sidled up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and whispered:
“You know youre brilliant, dont you?”
I laughed. “Whats all this about? Trying to score brownie points?”
“Maybe,” he replied, handing me his favourite white shirtthe one with that infuriating loose button.
“Could you iron this for me? Oh, and while Im out, how about making my favourite lasagne? Extra cheese. You know how I like it.”
“Anything else, your majesty?” I teased.
“Actually yes,” he grinned. “Could you scrub the loo? You know I like everything spotless. Never know when we might have visitors”
I rolled my eyes but chuckled.
Richard had his quirks, and though his requests sounded high-maintenance, I didnt think much of it. If only Id known
That day, I threw myself into housework.
The hoover roared, the washing machine churned, and the house filled with the smell of lasagne. In the background, my cleaning playlist hummed, 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, all I heard was loud music and muffled laughter. I frowned, thinking it was a prank.
But then I heard Richards voice.
“My wife?” he said, laughing. “Probably cooking or scrubbing the loo. Shes so predictable. And here I am, with you, darling.”
A woman giggled in the background.
My stomach lurched.
I stood frozen, phone pressed to my ear, while my world tilted.
The call dropped.
Seconds later, a text popped upjust an address.
No explanation. Just the location.
I stared at the screen, heart pounding.
Maybe it was a mistake. A joke. But deep down, I knew it wasnt.
I didnt cry. Not yet.
Instead, I grabbed my coat, snatched the car keys, and drove straight to the address.
The lasagne could wait.
Richard was in for the shock of his life.
The GPS led me to a swanky Airbnb across town.
The place was huge, with gleaming windows and a manicured garden. Outside the garage stood a row of flashy cars. Through the glass doors, I could see people laughing, drinking, enjoying themselves.
My stomach twisted at the sight of familiar faces.
Whod be more stunnedRichard or me? I was about to find out.
As I approached the entrance, a bouncer stepped forward.
“Can I help you, maam?”
I forced a smile. “Yes, just dropping something off for my husband.”
The bouncer eyed me suspiciously, especially when he noticed the cleaning bucket in my hand. Inside were a loo brush and a bottle of bleach.
“Tall bloke, white shirt,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
The bouncer hesitated but, deciding I wasnt a threat, stepped aside.
The moment I walked in, every head turned.
And there was Richard.
He was in the middle of the room, arm slung around a woman in a tight red dress.
He looked more alive than Id seen him in years, laughing, sipping champagne, like nothing mattered.
My chest tightened.
Every part of me wanted to lunge at him, but a voice in my head whispered: “Be smarter. Make it count.”
Richard saw me.
The colour drained from his face. He choked on his drink and stumbled back.
“Emily?” he stammered, peeling away from the woman beside him. “Whatwhat are you doing here?”
“Hello, darling,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You forgot something at home.”
Richard blinked, confused.
I held up the bucket, showing him the loo brush and bleach.
“Since you love talking about my cleaning skills, thought you might need these to tidy up the mess youve made of our marriage.”
A ripple of shock went through the crowd.
The woman in red edged away from Richard, clearly uncomfortable.
But I wasnt done.
“You know,” I said to the room, “Richard loves playing the doting husband at home. But as you can see, hed rather play house with the first person who strokes his ego.”
“Emily, please,” Richard whispered desperately. “Can we talk outside?”
“Oh, now you want privacy?” I replied. “Where was that concern when you were mocking me behind my back?”
I turned to the crowd.
“Enjoy the party. And rememberonce a cheat, always a cheat.”
With that, I dumped the bucket at his feet and walked out, my heels clicking against the marble floor.
When I got to the car, my phone rang again.
Same unknown number.
The text read:
“You deserved to know the truth. Sorry it had to happen this way.”
My hands shook as I dialled the number.
A woman answered.
“Hello?”
“Who is this?” I asked.
“My names Sophie,” she said after a pause. “I work with Richard.”
“Why did you do this?”
“Because someone had to,” she sighed. “I watched him lie and cheat for months. It made me sick. You didnt deserve that.”
I swallowed hard.
“I had a friend call you so you could hear it for yourself. You needed to know.”
I closed my eyes for a second.
I didnt feel anger. I felt gratitude.
The next morning, Richard found his suitcases by the door.
When he tried to come in, the locks had been changed.
I dont knowor carewhere he spent the night.
On his phone, the only message from me:
“Enjoy.”
And for the first time in years, I smiled.
Not out of spite.
But because, finally, my life was back in my hands.
