After hearing her husband and neighbor’s daughter discussing their affair, Lexie doesn’t cry or confront them. Instead, she planned. She turns their betrayal into sassy karma with a brilliant invitation and shocking surprise. Never before has revenge been so satisfying.
My spouse Mark and I were married ten years. I thought we had a good life with two kids and a mortgage. Mark wasn’t much housework assistance.
Neither did he cook, clean, or handle the turmoil of parenting.
I did it all.
Exhausting?
Absolutely.
I rationalized that “we’re a team, Lexie.”
Mark had joined a different squad, though.
One bag of groceries started it.
I had just entered the driveway after a long store trip. My car was full of large goods, and I mentally prepared to carry everything inside alone.
As usual, Mark didn’t move.
That’s when I heard porch voices.
Mark was talking to Emma, our neighbor’s 25-year-old daughter who’d moved back to town. Her parents were thrilled when she received her internship after studying interior design.
She and Mark laughed like old friends now.
I almost shouted hello, but something stopped me.
I listened from behind my car, disguised by groceries and shadows.
“I can’t believe she hasn’t figured it out yet,” Emma laughed in the cold afternoon air.
Mark laughed back.
“Em, she’s so busy with kids and house. Lexie hardly notices anything. She’s gray too. She brushes her hair the opposite way to hide it. She’s been so lax. I no longer see her as a woman. Princess, she’s nothing compared to you.”
Emma laughed.
“Fortunately, sir, I’m here. Parade me all you want. I promise no gray hair.”
So they kissed.
Kissed?!
I grabbed a bag so hard that the plastic started tearing. My tears obscured my vision as shame and wrath filled me. They kept talking and flirting despite me.
I didn’t cry fully after those few tears. No screaming or shouting. I avoided them.
Instead, I quietly brought the items inside through the back door and planned.
I was shocked by my peacefulness the next morning. I prepared Mark breakfast—fluffy eggs and crunchy bacon. He liked his coffee with cinnamon, so I made it. I waved and kissed him goodbye as he departed for work.
I knocked on Emma’s door next door after he left.
It astonished her as she opened it.
“Oh! Hi, Mrs… “Hello, Lexie,” she stammered, beaming.
“Hi, Emma,” I smiled. Maybe you could come over tomorrow night. I need your advice.”
A smile faded as she blinked.
“Advice? On what?”
“Well,” I hesitated, sounding uncertain. Redesigning the living room is on my mind. Your parents said you studied design, so I assumed you could assist choose colors or furniture. Just a little while.”
A flash of hesitation crossed her eyes. A cheeky smile formed as she tilted her head.
“I’d love to help! In what time?”
“I think seven is fine? Dinnertime!” My smile was genuine, I said. “Many thanks, Emma. You rescue lives.”
Emma arrived dressed to impress the next night. She welcomed me with her customary cheerfulness and assurance.
I greeted her and escorted her in.
“Oh, before we get to the living room,” I answered nonchalantly. “I wanted to show you a few things.”
I showed her important domestic tasks around the house.
This is the dishwasher. Mark doesn’t bother, so you must fill it every night. Kids’ washing goes here, but please separate loads because they’re detergent-sensitive.”
Her gaze was fixed on me.
Their after-school schedule is here. You must pick them up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but Wednesdays are errand-free. I’ve recorded plumber, electrician, and pediatrician numbers. Just in case.”
Emma’s smile faded as she paled.
“And this,” I continued, leading her into the kitchen, stinking of roast chicken.
You’ll prepare all meals here. In addition to breakfasts, school and work lunches, snacks, and desserts, there’s a lot. Mark like medium-rare steak. Only fully cooked steak will satisfy the youngsters. Deader is better.”
The woman gasped.
Mark has no manners, so don’t expect a thank you. Sorry, but the kids are picky eaters. You’ll figure it out.”
Wide-eyed, she watched me.
Uh, Lexie. Not sure… Don’t think… I didn’t provide babysitting.”
Just then, Mark entered. A pallid face appeared when he noticed us.
“Lex, what’s going on?” He asked in a rough, loud voice.
“Oh,” I spoke brightly. “I probably should have included you. Emma is learning how to run the house from me. Since you think I’ve neglected myself, I’ll prioritize myself. I may also need a prince to love me. Emma, you’ll control my every move. Good luck!”
A knock on the door interrupted them.
Opening it revealed Emma’s parents. In a pinch, the same couple babysat my kids.
“Oh! The scent is great! “Lexie, I told Annie you’d make your roast chicken,” Emma’s father exclaimed.
“Anne and Howard, thanks for coming. I thanked you for raising a helpful daughter. “She and Mark have grown so close that I thought it was time to make her part of the family.”
“Wait, what?” Anne asked, frowning.
Emma will handle everything now that I’m leaving! You must be proud of your daughter.”
Her mother seemed perplexed. However, her dad was furious.
“Emma,” mom said. Please disprove this. Say this isn’t what I think.”
“It’s not what it looks like!” Emma stuttered.
As usual, coward Mark sought to deflect blame.
This is unfair, Lexie! Emma visited! She grabbed me!”
“Oh, did she?” I asked, eyebrow raised. “So, you’re saying that you’re not responsible for sneaking around with a 25-year-old while insulting your wife?”
He began to argue, but Howard stopped him.
The onus is on Mark. Emma, you’re also responsible. Let’s depart. Now.”
Emma glared at me maliciously before leaving. Her parents followed, muttering a thousand apologies.
Mark looked at me in desperation.
“Lexie, babe,” he said. Talk about this. You owe me a discourse after so long together.”
“Oh, sweetie,” I said. “We’ll discuss, no worries. Tomorrow, my lawyer will call. I suggest packing your luggage and leaving now.”
“Where will I go?” he wailed. “My family lives in a different state.”
“I don’t really care, Mark,” I responded, removing the chicken from the oven. Visit a motel. See a pal. Join the circus.”
What about the kids? Where are kids?”
“My sister has them. They’ll stay till you straighten your mess. You can tell them the truth once the lawyers settle. Mark, I won’t surrender.”
Emma broke up with Mark a week later, I heard.
“While fun, I didn’t sign up to be a mom. To him or his kids.”
Two weeks later, Mark returned.
“What do you want?” Noting his bouquet of flowers, I questioned.
“I’ve been so miserable without you,” he begged. “Please let me return. Lexie, please. This is fixable. Miss my kids. Miss our family.”
“I don’t care, Mark!” I shouted. I don’t care. Leave if you’re not productive. I’ll pick up the kids in a few hours after a playdate.”
He was speechless when I closed the door.
I’ve never been happier since that night months ago. Rediscovered parts of myself I believed were gone. Since starting salsa dancing, my confidence, excitement, and independence have grown.
Despite the craziness, my kids and I have discovered a new rhythm of laughing and love.
As for Mark? Currently single. According to my sources, Emma’s parents dislike her too. Anne bakes and delivers cakes and pies often. Howard enjoys raking our front yard leaves.
Karma’s funny, right?
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Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. Any resemblance to real people, events, or places is unintentional.
The author and publisher neither guarantee event authenticity nor character characterization and are not liable for misinterpretation. While this work is presented “as is,” the characters’ viewpoints do not reflect those of the author or publisher.
