My life has turned into a revenge drama, although I never dreamed it would. When treachery strikes, you either crumble or get creative.
I married Liam just over three years ago. Our pair was called “too perfect to be true.” I should have realized that meant something was festering. It appeared he was friendly, supportive, and ambitious—he dubbed me his “forever home.” Eventually, he must have preferred Airbnb experiences.
His birthdate was Thursday of that year. He claimed he had a Denver conference on company expansion, late meetings, and other buzzwords. I didn’t doubt. Even his suitcase was packed. I kissed him goodbye and instructed him to bring back a silly souvenir magnet.
Mom and I were fabric shopping that day. As a former interior designer, she loves projects. She froze when comparing toss pillows. “Is that Liam?”
He was at the café window as I turned. Laughing. Inappropriately close. Holding hands across the table like the last two humans on Earth. The person was Mandy.
Mandy. My pal. Same Mandy who planned my bridal shower. Someone who knew Liam’s preferred whiskey and my least favorite colors. She cried on my shoulder when she battled with her husband, Steve.
My neck heated up. Mom snatched my arm before my head caught up.
“Don’t,” she said. “Not yet.”
How do you mean not yet? There he is! With her!”
Mom whispered. “You want this satisfying or loud?”
She devised the plan then.
Two days later, I stood at the door with a smile and something in my hand when Liam got home. A pregnancy test. Positive. Obviously fake. A little plastic and food coloring. Oh, his eyes sparkled. He hugged me, kissed my forehead, and said, “You’ve just made this the best day of my life.”
I nodded politely. That’s why I planned something special.”
We held a “belated birthday-slash-baby surprise” meal the next weekend. I requested Mandy and Steve participate. “It’s a celebration,” I said. “You’re almost family.”
Steve was wary of Liam—he never trusted him. He might have detected something. However, Mandy couldn’t say yes fast enough.
Champagne and lamb chops for dinner. Everyone laughed and smiled. So Liam kept caressing my back like a glowing diaper commercial coupling. Mandy glanced at Liam whenever Steve looked away, trying to stay calm. The scene was a sick joke, and I was to provide the punchline.
I got up before dessert.
“I have some news,” I murmured, clutching my flat stomach like a stage actress.
Liam beams. “Is anything more important than having a baby?”
“Yes,” I responded, extending the moment.
He blinks. “What?”
“The baby isn’t yours,” I stated quietly. It’s Steve’s.”
The room froze. Wine choked Mandy. Steve dropped his fork. Liam gazed like I uttered Morse code.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Finally, Liam uttered.
I said, “I’m talking about revenge,” smiling. Did you think I didn’t notice you and Mandy at the café last week? On a ‘work trip?’ Come on, Liam. Your intelligence is low.”
Mandy stood up, scared. “She lied, Steve! This is crazy!”
Steve saw her for the first time between us. His expression changed like a switch. “Mandy. This true?”
She sputtered. Of course not! She’s only trying.”
Want to view the hotel bill? Pulling a paper from my purse, I inquired. “Maybe parking lot camera photos? Should we ask the waiter who observed you sharing tiramisu?
Liam faced me. “You went through all that trouble to humiliate us?”
“No,” I answered. I endured that because I believed in us. I supported our marriage. You discarded that like a napkin.”
Steve stood with fists clenched. “You slept with him?”
Mandy looked between us for an exit. It happened once. It meant nothing!”
“Oh, that’s comforting,” I said. “Then this baby is meaningless too.”
Steve bolted without speaking. Liam stopped Mandy from following. Wait—Mandy, don’t leave.”
A laugh. I was surprised by the raw sound. Don’t worry, Liam. You can take her. Now you own her. Don’t expect paternity tests. I fabricated that.”
He appeared bewildered. “What?”
“No baby. Steve had no affair. I wanted to experience the feeling of the knife twisting.
I brought a CHEERS TO LOYALTY cake into the kitchen. I cut a piece and gave it to my mom, who had been listening in the corridor, saying, “You were right. This satisfied me more than screaming in a café.”
Mandy left alone that night. Three days later, Steve divorced. I heard he’s traveling, working out, and rediscovering himself. Mandy rejoined her parents. Liam apologised. He sent flowers. Then letters. A guitar song he wrote.
I ignored everything.
Instead, I divorced, sold our condo, and started a small business with my parents. We redesign homes to help people start again. Don’t you find that poetic?
And I? My life is good. No fake pregnancies. No fake pals. Genuine peace.
Would I have preferred no cheating? Sure. Would I change my approach? No, wait.
Share your experience if someone betrayed you. Would you play safe or smart?
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