When Lexie overhears her husband and the neighbor’s daughter discussing their affair, she doesn’t cry or confront them. Instead, she plans ahead. With a clever invitation and a stunning plot twist, she flips the script on their betrayal, serving up karma with a touch of sass. Revenge has never been so satisfying.
My husband, Mark, and I had been married for ten years. Two children, a mortgage, and what I thought was a solid life tied us to each other. Of course, Mark wasn’t much help around the house.
He didn’t cook, clean, or manage the endless chaos of child-rearing.
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
I was the one who took care of it.
Exhausting?
Absolutely.
But I figured it was okay because “we’re a team, Lexie.”
Except apparently, Mark had decided to join a completely different team.
It all started with a shopping bag.
Shopping bags | Source: Midjourney
I had just pulled into the driveway after an exhausting trip to the store. My car was packed with heavy bags, and I was mentally preparing myself for the solitary effort of hauling everything inside.
Mark, as usual, wouldn’t lift a finger.
It was then that I heard voices coming from the porch.
A woman holding a shopping bag | Source: Midjourney
It was Mark, chatting with our neighbor’s 25-year-old daughter, Emma, who had just moved back to town. Her parents were so proud that she had landed her internship after studying interior design.
Now Mark and she stood there, laughing like old friends.
I almost called them to say hello, but something made me stop.
I ducked behind my car, hidden by shadows and running, and listened.
A couple under a porch | Source: Midjourney
“I can’t believe she hasn’t figured it out yet,” Emma said, her laughter echoing in the cool afternoon air.
Mark responded with a small laugh.
“She’s so busy with the kids and the house, Em. Lexie hardly notices anything else. She’s gone so gray, too. But she brushes her hair the other way to hide it. Honestly, she’s let herself go so much. To me, she doesn’t even look like a woman anymore. She’s nothing compared to you, my princess.”
Emma giggles.
A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney
“Well, lucky for you, sir, I’m here now. You can parade me around all you want. And trust me, there isn’t a gray hair in sight.”
Then they kissed.
Kissed?!
I gripped a bag so tightly I could feel the plastic starting to tear. My vision blurred as tears, humiliation, and rage coursed through me. They continued their conversation, the shameless flirting, all oblivious to my presence.
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
But other than those few tears, I didn’t cry properly. I didn’t scream or shout. I didn’t face them.
Instead, I quietly carried the groceries inside, using the back door, and began my planning.
The next morning, I woke up with a calm that surprised even me. I made Mark breakfast: fluffy eggs and extra-crispy bacon. I made his coffee with a hint of cinnamon, just the way he liked it. I kissed him goodbye and greeted him cheerfully as he left for work.
A plate of food | Source: Midjourney
Once he left, I went to knock on Emma’s door.
She opened it, visibly surprised.
“Oh! Hello, Mrs…. Um, hello, Lexie,” she stammered, her smile exaggeratedly bright.
“Hello, Emma,” I said warmly. “I was wondering if you could come over tomorrow night. I could really use your advice on something.”
A woman standing in front of a front door | Source: Midjourney
She blinked, her smile faltering.
“Advice? On what?”
“Well,” I hesitated, letting my voice sound uncertain. “I’ve been thinking about redecorating the living room. Your parents told me you studied design, and I thought you could help me choose some colors or furniture ideas. It’ll just take a little time.”
A bohemian-themed living room | Source: Midjourney
For a moment, doubt flickered in her eyes. Then she tilted her head, a smirk forming.
“Oh, I’d love to help you! What time?”
“I think seven o’clock will be perfect? It’s dinner time!” I said, my own smile sweet and genuine. “Thank you so much, Emma. You’re a lifesaver.”
Emma showed up the next evening, dressed to impress. She greeted me with her usual cheerfulness, practically radiating confidence.
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
I greeted her warmly and led her inside.
“Oh, before we get to the living room,” I said casually. “I wanted to show you a few things.”
I guided her around the house, pointing out the main areas of domestic responsibility.
“Here’s the dishwasher. You’ll have to load it every night because Mark doesn’t bother with it, of course. The kids’ laundry goes in here, but please make sure you separate the loads, as they are sensitive to different detergents.”
A laundry room | Source: Midjourney
She stares at me.
“Oh, and here’s their after-school schedule. You’ll have to pick them up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Wednesdays are free for errands. I wrote down the numbers for the plumber, electrician, and pediatrician. Just in case.”
Emma’s smile faltered, her face turning pale.
“And this,” I said, leading her into the kitchen, where the smell of roasting chicken filled the room.
A cozy kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“This is where you’ll prepare all the meals. And let me tell you, besides breakfasts, and the various lunches from school and work, there are snacks and desserts, and there’s a lot. Mark likes his steak medium rare, by the way. Kids only eat steak if it’s well-done. The more cooked, the better.”
She jumps.
“Don’t expect Mark to thank you, manners aren’t his thing. Children are difficult, I’m sorry to say, but you’ll figure it out.”
Steak on a plate | Source: Midjourney
She stared at me, her eyes wide.
“Uh, Lexie. I’m not sure… I don’t think so… I didn’t offer to babysit.”
At that moment, Mark came in. His face went pale as soon as he saw us.
“Lex, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice tight and high-pitched.
A woman looking confused | Source: Midjourney
“Oh,” I replied brightly. “I probably should have included you in this too. But I’m just showing Emma how to run the house. Since you think I’ve let myself go, I figured it was time I started prioritizing myself. And also, maybe it’s time I found someone who sees me as their princess. Emma, you’ll take charge of everything I do. Good luck!”
Before either of them could answer, there was a knock at the door.
I opened the door and saw Emma’s parents. The same couple who often babysat my children when I was in trouble.
A shocked man | Source: Midjourney
“Oh! That smells delicious! I told Annie you were going to make your roast chicken, Lexie,” Emma’s father said happily.
“Thank you for coming, Anne and Howard. And thank you for raising such a helpful daughter,” I said. “She and Mark have become so close that I thought it was time to bring her into the family.”
“Wait, what?” Anne asked, frowning.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
“I’m leaving and Emma will take care of everything now! You must be so proud of your little girl!”
Emma’s mother looked confused. Her father, meanwhile, was livid.
“Emma,” her mother said. “Tell me it’s not true. Tell me it’s not what I think it is.”
“It’s not what it looks like!” Emma stammers.
Close-up of a woman | Source: Midjourney
Mark, ever the coward, tried to blame others.
“Lexie, it’s not fair! Emma came to me! She came on top of me!”
“Oh, she did it?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “So you’re saying you’re not responsible for sneaking out with a 25-year-old while insulting your wife?”
He opened his mouth to argue, but Howard cut him off.
“Mark, this is your fault. Emma, this is your fault too. Let’s leave. Now.”
A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney
Emma shot me a venomous look before storming off. Her parents followed her, muttering a thousand apologies as they went.
Mark turned to me, despair etched on his face.
“Lexie, please, honey,” he said. “Let’s talk about it. We’ve been together for so long… you owe me a talk, at least.”
“Oh, honey,” I said. “We’ll talk, don’t worry. My lawyer will call you tomorrow. But for now, I think you should pack your bags and go.”
A frustrated man | Source: Midjourney
“Where am I going to go?” he asked pathetically. “My family lives in another state.”
“I don’t really care, Mark,” I said, taking the chicken out of the oven. “Go to a motel. Go to a friend’s house. Join the circus.”
“And the children? Where are the children?”
“They’re with my sister. And they’ll stay there until you sort out your mess. You can tell them the truth once the lawyers have reached a settlement. I won’t go down without a fight, Mark.”
A roast chicken on a platter | Source: Midjourney
A week later, I heard through rumors that Emma had dumped Mark.
“It was fun while it lasted, but I didn’t sign up to play mom. For him or for his kids.”
Two weeks later, Mark came back.
“What do you want?” I asked, seeing the bouquet of flowers in her hand.
A man holding a bouquet of flowers | Source: Midjourney
“I’ve been so miserable without you,” he said, practically begging me. “Please let me come back. Please, Lexie. We can work things out. I miss my kids. I miss our family.”
“I don’t care, Mark!” I exploded. “I really don’t care. Now, if you don’t have anything productive to do here, then leave. The kids are at a playdate, and I won’t pick them up for a few hours.”
Then I closed the door, leaving him speechless.
A distraught woman | Source: Midjourney
Months have passed since that night, and I’ve never been happier. I’ve rediscovered parts of myself I thought were long gone. I started taking up salsa dancing, and with it, my confidence, joy, and freedom flooded in.
Amidst the chaos, my children and I have found a new rhythm, filled with laughter and love.
As for Mark, he’s still single. He’s still single. And from what I’ve heard, Emma’s parents aren’t thrilled either. But Anne bakes cakes and pies, which she often sends out. And Howard likes to rake leaves in our garden.
Karma is a funny thing, isn’t it?
A happy woman | Source: Midjourney
Read also: My fiancé left me after my hair started falling out – Years later, I accidentally ‘stole the spotlight’ at his wedding
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the story. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims regarding the accuracy of events or character portrayals and are not responsible for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and all opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the opinions of the author or publisher.
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