My ex-husband said, “It’s just a little fun.” He portrayed our marriage-destroying affair that way. Harmless, he said. But when he arrived
My ex-husband said, “It’s just a little fun.” He portrayed our marriage-destroying affair that way. Harmless, he said. After our divorce, he came back and began peeling wallpaper off the walls since he “paid for it,” so Karma decided to have fun at his cost.
I married Eli for eight years. I received a sunny, lovely home from my grandma and had two children. It was a house with tales, memories, and lavender-scented walls.
I believed our life was excellent for years. Eli had a good profession, I freelanced from home, and we handled parenthood with grace—until I discovered his affair.
I forgiven him initially. I gave him another opportunity against my better judgment. Hoped he regretted it. That we might proceed. The second time? I didn’t wait for Apologies. My divorce was filed that day.
It ached terribly, but I retained my dignity.
Smooth divorce was unexpected. I kept the house—it was always mine—and we shared our assets equally. As for custody? I took the kids full-time because Eli demanded.
“I’m not good with routines,” he muttered, scratching his neck. “You do that better.”
Meaning: “I don’t want the responsibility.”
Fine. I yielded. Kids require stability, not disappointment.
Eli vowed to leave the home by weekend. Our son Alex and daughter Mia stayed with my mom for a few days to give him space.
I anticipated stillness when we returned. Closure. Maybe even some tranquility.
Instead, I entered a house remodeling nightmare.
After decades, my grandmother’s hallway wallpaper—delicate blue blooms on a pastel background—was gone. Raw, uneven walls had drywall sections protruding like bones. I discovered Eli in the kitchen, yanking down the rest of it like a madman.
You’re doing what? Shocked, I asked.
He was unfazed. He bluntly responded, “I paid for this wallpaper,” pulling another piece off the wall. It’s mine.”
My voice shook. “You’re destroying the kids’ home.”
Shrugging. My money, my wallpaper.
Alex and Mia silently peered around the corner behind me. I could sense their perplexity and terror hanging in the air.
I looked at Eli again. “Do whatever you want,” I replied. Despite shaky hands, my voice was steady. “We’ll stay away.”
I took the kids and fled. I knew—deep down—that life would give Eli every piece of that wallpaper, one way or another.
Eli was gone when I returned. So was everything he purchased. The toaster, cutlery, and guest bathroom light bulbs were gone. Littlest prize? Toilet paper. He used every roll.
Standing in my half-empty kitchen, I laughed.
Six months. Rebuilding was my priority. New habits, furnishings, memories. Alex chose dinosaur wallpaper, while Mia chose unicorns with sparkly stars. I painted the home wall-by-wall. It was ours again.
I received an unexpected call.
“Hey, Ava,” Eli said, overly happy. “I wanted you to know—I’m getting married next month!”
My stomach flipped. “To who?”
She’s awesome. Stunning. Smart. I’m moving on, just wanted you to know. Some ladies desire me, believe it or not.”
“Congratulations,” I said, hanging up before he could respond.
I saw Eli across the street at the farmers’ market a few weeks later while enjoying a rare Saturday morning to myself. He held hands with a tall brunette in heels and fancy sunglasses.
As they approached, my mouth dried. My old book club buddy Naomi stood beside him.
The sight of me fired her up. “Ava! Wow, unexpected!”
Naomi pulled Eli like a prize toward me. This is my fiance! His name is—
“Eli,” I replied calmly. “Yeah. I know.”
Naomi blinks, her grin fading. “Do you know each other?”
Eli seems to want to vanish.
“Oh, we go way back,” I remarked carelessly.
Head tilted, Naomi. “You mean what?”
She faced Eli. Do you know her?
He chuckled with effort. “Not important—”
“Actually,” I said, “he’s my ex-husband.”
Naomi’s eyes widened. She gently faced Eli. “Hold on. I heard your ex cheated and went to Europe with the kids.”
Eli clenched his jaw.
Gasped Naomi. Hold on. Did you tell me about the man who removed wallpaper after a divorce at book club? Was that Ava?
I said nothing. It wasn’t necessary.
Naomi looked at Eli again. “My God. That was YOU?!
He stumbled. “Just a misunderstanding—”
You removed wallpaper off your kids’ walls because you paid for it? Seriously? Who does it?
“That wasn’t it—”
“And you lied about everything else!” Naomi was furious. “You said Ava cheated. You were abandoned. You were a victim! You’re a mess.”
She faced me. Ava, I’m sorry. I was unaware.”
She removed her engagement ring and pushed it into Eli’s hand before I could answer. We finish. Have fun being yourself throughout your life.
She ran down the sidewalk in heels like weapons, back straight and head high.
Eli was frozen. The ring shook in his hand.
It was a little grin and I looked away.
No words. No vengeance. Just finished.
Alex glanced up as he put the kids to bed that night.
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you recall Dad removing the wallpaper?”
I waited, dubious of his recollection.
But he smiled. “I’m glad he did.”
“You are?”
“Yeah,” he answered, pointing to his wall. We have dinosaurs today. I chose them. Dad can keep the old stuff.”
The vivid blue walls decorated with funny ancient animals made me smile as I gazed around. In Mia’s chamber, purple, glittering stars and pink unicorns sparkle gently at night.
They weren’t simply walls. Declarations. Who we were. Who we’d become. We rebuilt the family together.
You know what, Alex? I hugged him. “I think you’re right.”
Naomi taught me something essential that day. Screaming wasn’t necessary. I didn’t need to reveal Eli or take revenge. No karma desire was needed.
Karma already had him on speed dial.
He lost his new engagement, dignity, and—most importantly—the potential to be anything other than the person who tore wallpaper off walls in petty retaliation.
I got something better. Peace, love. Two youngsters who know how to fix things.
Drywall and shattered hearts are sometimes life’s gifts.
If you’re fortunate and patient, you can see karma work.
Trust me, when she arrives?
Decorates.
