“Darling, could you fetch me from work?” After a gruelling day, Jenny hoped to avoid the forty-minute bus ride home.
“Love, would you mind picking me up?” Emily rang her husband, praying she wouldnt have to rattle around on the bus after such an exhausting shift.
“Bit busy,” came the clipped reply. In the background, the telly blaredso, Thomas was clearly at home.
It stung her to the point of tears. Their marriage teetered on the edge, and yet, just six months ago, Thomas wouldve carried her in his arms. What had changed so quickly? Emily couldnt fathom it.
She kept herself trim, spending hours at the gym. She cooked beautifullyno wonder she worked at a popular restaurant. Never begged for money, never kicked up a fuss, always ready to indulge his every whim…
“Youll bore him soon enough,” her mother sighed, listening to Emilys woes. “You cant spend your life bending over backwards for a man.”
“I just love him,” Emily replied helplessly, forcing a smile. “And he loves me…”
*****
“Turns out I *did* bore him,” Emily muttered, chewing her lip as she scrolled through the browser history. Thomas had spent all his free time on dating sites, chatting up multiple women at once. “Why couldnt he just *talk* to me? Id have understood. Id have let him go. Why torment yourselfand mestaying with someone you dont love?”
So, divorce it was. Fine. She was strong; shed survive. But she wouldnt let him off *that* easily. A little payback was in order…
That same evening, Emily signed up to the same site, found him, and messaged. The photo she used was lifted from the webtouched up just enoughand she was certain hed bite. And bite he did.
A whirlwind of messages followed. Thomas claimed he wasnt married, was ready for commitment, even children. He praised his own wonderful character at every turn, which had her laughing till tears came. As if she didnt *know* how insufferable he was to live with.
“Lets meet,” Emily typed, holding her breath.
“Absolutely,” came the reply in seconds. “Though my sisters staying overstudying for exams. So, neutral ground first, then maybe a hotel after?”
“Seriously?” Emily nearly choked. “Who assumes a woman would just *agree* to that? Anyone decent would be offended!” Not that she minded.
“How about my place?” she ventured. “I live out in the country. No one to disturb us…” Would he take the bait?
“Brilliant!” Thomas was clearly thrilledlikely because it meant no extra expense. “Send the address. Ill be there on loves wings.”
“25 Willow Lane, 10 PM. Suit you?”
“Perfect! Wait for me.”
At nine, Thomas pretended hed been called into work. Frantically searching for his car keys, he reluctantly asked his wife if shed seen them.
“They were on the dresser,” Emily said sweetly, while the keys sat snug in her pocket. “Maybe the cat took them?”
She certainly didnt wait up. Why bother? She spent the time usefullypacking her things. Thankfully, she had her own flat, left to her by Gran. The only thing she left behind was the divorce papers, placed right where he couldnt miss them.
Thomas didnt return till morning, fuming. Not only had the trip taken over an hour each way, but Angelahis online flirtwas nowhere to be found.
The address was real. The house was real. But the model-esque beauty from the photos didnt live there. Instead, the door was opened by a woman three times his size, dressed in a near-transparent nightgown. Hed have paid *all* his savings to unsee that.
Honestly, he barely escaped! Had to call a cab in a panic. The driver took forever, leaving him shivering in his jacket. Then the bloke got *lost* on the way back. What a night.
Only when he stumbled into the flat and saw the papers on the table did it click. Beside them, scrawled in lipstick: *Sweet revenge…*
Brandon, could you give me a ride home? – After a grueling workday, Jenny hoped to avoid the forty-minute bus journey.
