But I didn’t. Instead, I stepped back quietly and slipped upstairs, ready to get into the shower and wash away the slimy feeling that had taken over me. That night, Ethan acted like nothing had happened.
He came into the kitchen and helped me cook the salmon and broccoli, a dish that the kids loved. He even kissed me on the cheek, asked about my day, and helped put the kids to bed. It was almost comical how oblivious he was to the storm brewing inside me.
“You okay?” he asked later when I was making mugs of hot chocolate for the kids. Finally, he seemed to realize that I was quieter than usual. I forced a smile.
“Just tired. It’s been a long day,” I said. “Well, don’t overdo it,” he said, patting my shoulder like he was doing me a favor.
I nodded, biting back the urge to scream. The next morning, I got up early, my mind racing. Ethan left for work with his usual kiss on the cheek, and I plastered on a smile as he walked out the door.
As soon as he was gone, I started planning. I wasn’t just angry. I was determined.
By mid-afternoon, I had everything I needed: photos of Ethan with his “pretty ones,” screenshots of flirty messages, and a few financial records that painted a very clear picture of his double life. I sat there with my laptop, feeling like how I felt at university when I was putting an assignment together. The same looming anxiety because of a deadline.
The same dread as I put things together. Like everything was riding on this. And if I’m being honest…
everything was. I had no idea how long this had been going on for, but what I wanted was to make Ethan feel pain. I wanted to embarrass him and break his heart.
I wanted him to understand how humiliating his words were. I wanted him to grow up and realize that he wasn’t behaving like the man worthy of a wife and children, unworthy of the life we had built. He deserved nothing.
When he came home that evening, he had no idea what was waiting for him.
I hadn’t bothered to cook for him. Instead, I had taken the kids to get Chinese food and dropped them off at my mother’s. Ethan and I were going to have a showdown.
“Hey, babe,” he said, flashing his usual smug smile. “How was your day?”
“Oh, just the usual,” I replied casually. “But I did get something special for you.”
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Special? What’s the occasion? I’m the luckiest man alive, aren’t I?
What’s for dinner?”
“I just felt like treating you,” I said with a sweet smile. “Come to the living room. I’ll show you.”
He followed me, curiosity plastered across his face.
“Sit, honey,” I said, gesturing for him to sit in the chair I’d placed in front of the TV. I’d even left a bowl of pretzels and a can of beer on the coffee table for him. “What’s this about, Sarah?” he asked, still grinning.
“You’ll see!” I replied, handing him the can of beer. I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Then, the slideshow began.
At first, Ethan didn’t understand what he was seeing. The first few photos were harmless enough—scenic shots from vacations he’d taken under the guise of “business trips.”
But then the pictures shifted. There he was, arm in arm with a woman I recognized from his Facebook friends list.
Then another photo of him laughing with a different woman, drinks in hand. “Sarah,” he began. “Look, I can explain.”
I held a hand up.
“Hush, honey,” I said. “Keep watching. Enjoy the show.”
More photos appeared, each one more damning than the last.
“You didn’t think I’d find out, did you?” I asked. “Where did you get these?” he demanded, his smugness replaced by panic. “You’re not exactly subtle, Ethan,” I replied.
“But that’s not the point. The point is, I’ve put up with a lot over the years. And I’ve ignored all the red flags, much to my mother’s dismay.
I’ve ignored every stupid excuse. But this? Bragging to your friends about how you’re using me?
That’s a new low, even for you.”
“Sarah, please, let’s talk about this, honey,” he pleaded, his hands actually trembling. “Oh, we’re going to talk,” I said, stepping closer. “But first, let me introduce you to someone.”
I opened the door, and in walked my divorce lawyer.
“What the hell? Who is this?” he sputtered. “This,” I said calmly.
“This is the beginning of the end, Ethan.”
The lawyer explained the terms:
Ethan would lose the house, which was my parents’ wedding present to us. He’d lose the car, which was in my name. And most of his paycheck would go toward child support.
“You can’t do this, Sarah!” Ethan shouted, his face turning red. “Actually, I can,” I replied. “You made your choices, Ethan.
Now you get to live with them.”
The next day, Ethan packed his things and moved out. He planned on couch surfing until things “settled for him.”
At first, he tried to win me back with apologies and promises. He swore that he would change and that he’d been “stupid” and “selfish.”
But I wasn’t interested.
“I gave you everything,” I told him during one of his desperate calls. “But you threw it away. This is on you.”
The kids and I are doing fine.
They’ll ask about Ethan occasionally, and they do get excited when I take them to meet him. But at the end of the day, we’re better off this way. Months later, I heard through a mutual friend that Ethan was struggling.
“He’s still crashing on Joshua’s couch,” she said. “Apparently, he can barely keep up with his expenses.”
And it turned out that his “pretty ones” had all disappeared, leaving him alone to face the mess he’d made. As for me?
I was thriving. Between work and all my free time, I started taking time off for myself. I rediscovered my love for embroidery, which is something I did with my grandmother when I was a child.
And I even went on a few dates. But the best part? Seeing my kids smile, knowing that they were growing up in a home filled with love and respect.
Ethan thought he’d broken me. He thought he could take and take without consequences. But in the end, the only thing he broke was himself.
And honestly? I don’t feel bad about it. Enjoyed this story?
Here’s another one for you:
When Claire, John, and their son, Ethan, board a flight to John’s parents, John mysteriously disappears to Business Class, leaving Claire to tackle the flight with the baby alone. But when they get to their destination, Claire’s father-in-law teaches John a lesson that he won’t forget.
About a week ago, my father-in-law really showed my husband that despite being married and having a son, he still had a lot to learn. My husband, John, and I were gearing up for the long-awaited trip to his parents with our energetic two-year-old son, Ethan.
John had been particularly stressed with work and kept going on about how much he needed a break. “Claire, I can’t wait to finally relax,” John said as we packed our bags. “I just need some peace and quiet, you know?”
I smiled, though I was preoccupied with packing Ethan’s toys.
“I know, John. We all need a break. But it’ll be fun for Ethan to see his grandparents and be spoilt with their love for a bit.”
Little did I know, my husband had rather selfish plans in mind.
At the airport, I was busy wrangling our toddler and managing the luggage while still trying to open a container of applesauce for Ethan. John mysteriously vanished.
