**Diary Entry 12th October 2023**
I never thought Id be writing this, but here we are.
When my husband, James, told me he had a work function to attend, I didnt think twice. But then came the phone call that froze me in place. What I heard on the other end made me grab my car keysready to confront him and, by morning, pack his things.
After ten years of marriage, I thought I knew James inside out. But last week, I learned that not even a decade together shields you from betrayalor the quiet satisfaction of seeing karma strike at the perfect moment.
It started innocently enough.
On Thursday evening, James walked through the door humming, an unusual spring in his step.
“Brilliant news!” he announced. “The firms throwing a team dinner tomorrow night. Employees only.”
He kissed my forehead and dropped his briefcase by the sofa.
“Itll be dull, honestly. Just spreadsheets and shop talk. No need for you to bother coming.”
I raised an eyebrow.
James had never been one for parties. His idea of fun was watching golf on telly. Still, I shrugged.
“Fine by me,” I said, already mentally ticking off my to-do list for the next day.
The next morning, he was sweeter than usual. Too sweet.
As I made breakfast, he slipped his arms around my waist and whispered, “Youre amazing, you know that?”
I laughed. “Whats gotten into you? Trying to earn brownie points?”
“Maybe,” he grinned, handing me his favourite white shirtthe one with the stubbornly 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 highness?” I teased.
“Actually yes,” he smirked. “Could you clean the loo? You know I like it spotless. Never know when we might have guests”
I rolled my eyes but chuckled.
James had his quirks, and as fussy as his requests seemed, I didnt think much of it. If only Id known
That day, I threw myself into chores.
The vacuum hummed, the washing machine churned, and the house filled with the scent of lasagne. My cleaning playlist played softly in the background, and for a moment, life felt normal.
Then the phone rang.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it, but something made me answer.
“Hello?”
At first, there was just loud music and muffled laughter. I frowned, assuming it was a prank.
Then I heard James voice.
“My wife?” he said, laughing. “Shes probably scrubbing the toilet or cooking dinner. So predictable. And here I am, with you, love.”
A woman giggled in the background.
My stomach dropped.
I stood frozen, the phone pressed to my ear, as my world tilted.
The call cut off.
Seconds later, a text came throughjust 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 better.
I didnt cry. Not yet.
Instead, I grabbed my coat, snatched my keys, and drove straight to the address.
The lasagne could wait.
James was about to get the shock of his life.
The GPS led me to a swanky Airbnb across town.
The place was enormousgleaming windows, manicured hedges. Expensive cars lined the driveway. Through the glass doors, I could see people laughing, drinking, living it up.
My stomach twisted at the sight of familiar faces.
Whod be more stunnedJames or me? I was about to find out.
As I neared the entrance, a security guard stepped forward.
“Can I help you, madam?”
I forced a smile. “Just delivering something to my husband.”
The guard eyed me suspiciously, especially when he noticed the cleaning bucket in my handinside, a toilet brush and a bottle of bleach.
“Tall bloke in a white shirt,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
He hesitated but, deciding I wasnt a threat, stepped aside.
The moment I walked in, every head turned.
And there was James.
He stood centre-stage, arm slung around a woman in a tight red dress.
He looked more alive than he had in yearslaughing, sipping champagne, like nothing mattered.
My chest tightened.
Every part of me wanted to lunge at him, but a small voice whispered, *Be smarter. Make it count.*
James saw me.
The colour drained from his face. He choked on his drink and stumbled back.
“Emily?” he stammered, shoving the woman away. “Whatwhat are you doing here?”
“Hello, darling,” I said, loud enough for the room to hear. “You forgot something at home.”
James blinked, baffled.
I held up the bucket, flashing the toilet brush and bleach.
“Since you love praising my cleaning skills, I thought you might need these to tidy up the mess youve made of our marriage.”
A ripple of gasps spread through the crowd.
The woman in red inched away from James, visibly uncomfortable.
But I wasnt done.
“You see,” I announced to the room, “James likes to play the doting husband at home. But as you can see, hed rather play house with whoever strokes his ego.”
“Emily, please,” James hissed. “Lets talk outside.”
“Oh, now you want privacy?” I shot back. “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 dropped the bucket at his feet and walked out, my heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.
By the time I reached the car, my phone buzzed again.
Same unknown number.
The text read:
*You deserved the truth. Im sorry it had to happen like this.*
My hands shook as I dialled the number.
A woman answered.
“Hello?”
“Who is this?” I demanded.
“My names Charlotte,” she said after a pause. “I work with James.”
“Why did you do this?”
“Because someone had to,” she sighed. “Ive 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 relief.
The next morning, James found his suitcases by the door.
When he tried to come in, the locks had already 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.
