Ten years of marriage should have made me know Brian inside and out. Last week, I learned that even a decade together can’t protect you from betrayal—or the satisfaction of karma’s perfect punch!
It started innocently. Brian hummed when he entered on Thursday night, a rare spring in his step. “Big news!” he said. “The company is hosting a team-building party tomorrow night. Employees only.”
My forehead was kissed and his briefcase fell.
It will be dull, so don’t bother about arriving. Just numbers and short talk.”
Raised eyebrow.
Brian wasn’t a party animal. His idea of enjoyment was watching golf on TV, but I ignored it.
“Fine by me,” I responded, planning tomorrow’s tasks.
Brian was kinder the next morning. I find it too sweet. He approached me while I cooked breakfast, threw his arms around my waist, and said, “You know you’re amazing, right?”
“What’s this?” I laughed and asked. “Trying for brownie points?”
“Maybe.” His beloved white shirt with the irritating loose button was presented to me.
“Can you iron this? While I’m gone, could you cook lasagna? The cheese-laden one? You know I adore it.”
“Anything else, Your Highness?” I joked.
“Yes, actually.” He winked smugly. “Could you clean and organize the bathrooms? You know I appreciate clean places. It’s worth cleaning things up in case of guests.
I rolled my eyes but laughed. Despite his diva expectations, I felt my spouse was harmless. If only I had known…
I tackled my tasks that day. The house smelled like lasagna as the vacuum buzzed and the washing machine churned. As I cleaned, my soundtrack kept me company and things felt regular.
I was so busy working that I didn’t realize the day had passed until my phone called.
The number was unfamiliar, and I considered ignoring it to avoid being interrupted. I took it anyway. “Hello?”
I initially heard music, noise, and muted laughter. I frowned, suspecting a hoax. I heard Brian’s voice. As clear as day…
“My wife?” he sarcastically asked. “She may be cooking and cleaning toilets. She’s predictable! I’m with you, love.”
My stomach dropped when I heard a woman laugh.
I froze, phone to ear, as my world spun. Line went dead. A single-address text followed a second later. No words, only place. Though the address was unfamiliar, I knew it. Not a work party. This was dangerous.
My heart raced as I watched the television. I wondered if this was true. Could my Brian be that cruel?
No tears. Not yet. I put on a coat, grabbed my keys, and drove directly to the address without thinking. I turned off lasagna, which could wait. If Brian thought I’d remain home like an idiot, he was wrong!
Though this could be a prank or something else innocent, I couldn’t risk not knowing if my husband was cheating. I had to see for myself. I found a chic Airbnb across town using the GPS.
The huge entrance, dazzling windows, and lush greenery screamed “luxury.” A group of beautiful cars was parked in the driveway, and I saw people laughing and drinking inside.
Scanning the faces made me queasy. Brian or I were about to get the surprise of his life. In a minute. Suddenly, a doorman stopped me and asked, “Can I help you, ma’am?”
I answered, “Hi, yes, I just came to drop something off for my husband quickly,” referring to the toilet brush and cleaner in my bucket, pretending to smile. The doorman looked at me and my bucket, confused.
“Look, he’s the tall guy in the white T-shirt,” I said.
Though skeptical, the doorman let me in because I wasn’t dangerous. Everyone turned to me, disheveled from cleaning and cooking, with a bucket.
Then I saw him…
My spouse stood in the middle of the room, casually holding a young woman in a tight red dress. He was more vibrant than I had seen him in years, smiling and drinking champagne without a worry!
Everyone in me wanted to rush to him and let loose, but another said, “Be smart. Do more than react. Make it count.” I was immediately noticed by Brian. His face drained of color, and he stepped back, nearly dropping his drink!
“Emily?” he muttered, leaving his companion. “What are you doing here?”
I shouted, “Hi, sweetheart,” filling the room. “You left something home.”
Brian blinked, perplexed. I took rubber gloves, a toilet brush, and a bottle of toilet cleaning from the bucket.
I thought you would need my cleaning abilities to clean up this mess you’ve made of our marriage because you like bragging about them.
The crowd gasped. The horrified red woman backed away from Brian. But I continued.
“You know,” I began, turning to the room, “Brian loves to play the doting husband at home. As you can see, he prefers playing house with ego-stroking people.”
Brian whispered, “Emily,” desperate. “Can we talk outside?”
“Oh no,” I snapped. You didn’t respect my privacy when you mocked me behind my back. Starting now? Why?
I spoke to the crowd like a theater audience.
“Enjoy the party, everyone. Remember: he’ll cheat on you if he cheats with you!”
I dropped the bucket near his feet and left, my heels clicking on the marble floor. When I got to my car, my phone buzzed again. Same unknown number.
“You deserve to know the truth,” it said. Sorry it had to be this way.”
I called the number with trembling hands. I realized I never asked who gave me the tip or why. Was Brian’s cheating partner now spiteful? Perhaps someone wanted him for themselves?
Heck! The lady Brian was with could have been trying to sabotage him so she could get him.
A woman answered the phone quickly. “Hello?”
“Who is this?” I demanded.
Her name was Valerie, she said after a moment. I previously worked with Brian.
How come you doing this?
“Because someone had to,” she added, visibly frustrated. I’ve seen him cheat and lie for months. Joking about how ‘easy’ it is to fool you. It made me sick.”
Swallowed hard. “How did you get my number?”
“I left the company a month ago for greener pastures after working to secure the office party venue,” she said. “But before quitting, I saw his character. Your number was in the emergency contact list. Even though it was wrong, you needed to know. Ted, my husband, was too. I left him two years ago and resolved never to let it happen to another woman.”
I felt her words like a freight train.
“I got another female colleague to attend the party and shadow Brian. At the right time, she called you and let you hear him berate you before returning my phone. I’ve been lurking in my car outside the venue waiting for you to approach him. Emily—you deserved the truth.”
I should have been angry and violated, yet I was grateful.
I muttered, “Thank you,” before hanging up. I wanted to go home and lick my wounds, so meeting Valerie seemed futile. I had to do my part after she had.
The next morning, I had clarity I hadn’t felt in years! Outside the door were Brian’s packed possessions. I covered the keyhole in the house, so his key wouldn’t fit when he returned home last night.
I don’t care where he slept last night. One morning, I texted him, “Enjoy.”
My first smile in a while. Not for retribution, but because I reclaimed my life. My next task was divorce, and I couldn’t wait to exploit him!