When Gina and her husband, Brendan, decided to split up, Gina hoped a weekend at her parents’ house would offer her a break from the madness. But when she came back, her life was turned upside down—literally. All her belongings were dumped on the front lawn.
Yet, amidst the mess, Gina stumbled upon something Brendan deeply cherished. What followed was a perfect moment of sweet revenge.
After Brendan and I decided to go our separate ways, the person I once knew disappeared. He turned into someone completely unrecognizable—bitter, hostile, and full of resentment.
“You’re really going to complain about me? About the way I talk?” Brendan’s voice boomed through the house.
“All I’m saying is, calm down. Yelling isn’t going to help anything,” I replied, massaging my temples as another headache started to build.
“Don’t you dare ‘calm down’ me, Gina! You did this with your endless complaints and ridiculous demands. Just go live your own life.”
And so, I did.
As we started the painful process of splitting our belongings, Brendan became even more unbearable. We couldn’t pack without fighting.
“I’ll take care of the books,” he grumbled while going through the shelves.
“You’ll just mix my stuff with yours,” I retorted, crossing my arms.
“Fine. Do it yourself then,” he snapped.
The stress was overwhelming, so I decided to spend the weekend at my parents’ house to clear my head.
“You’re running back to your parents, huh? Typical,” Brendan sneered as I packed.
“They’re better company than you,” I shot back, slamming the door behind me.
The weekend turned out to be just what I needed. Mom treated me to delicious home-cooked meals, and Dad gave me his quiet support. “Are you sure about the divorce?” he asked gently one evening.
“Yes,” I sighed. “Brendan and I haven’t been on the same page for years. There’s no love left.”
Mom nodded and said, “If your heart is telling you to let go, then follow it.”
I spent the weekend walking Pippy, my parents’ dog, and thinking about the new start ahead. By Monday, I felt more grounded and ready to face the reality of my situation.
But when I pulled into the driveway, I was in for a shock. All my furniture—my cherished items from my grandmother’s rocking chair to my favorite flea market finds—was scattered across the lawn. A huge, hand-painted sign read “Free Stuff!” among the chaos.
“What the hell?” I muttered, slamming the car door shut. My coffee table, couch, and family heirlooms were baking in the sun, waiting for anyone to take them.
I immediately called Brendan, my hands trembling. “Why is all my stuff on the lawn?” I demanded.
“Oh, that,” he replied smugly. “You were planning to take me for everything in the divorce, right? Now you know what it feels like to lose something important.”
I was speechless. Yes, I had thought about fighting for what I deserved in the divorce, but this? This was spiteful beyond belief.
“You’re unbelievable,” I finally said. “You think this solves anything? You’re just digging yourself a deeper hole.”
He laughed. “Whatever. Maybe charge people for it instead of giving it away for free.”
I hung up, too exhausted to argue anymore. As I stared at my belongings, frustration boiling over, I kicked the bedside table I had repainted just months ago. It toppled over, and I heard a faint jingling sound. Curious, I crouched down and opened the drawer.
There, hidden among loose change and old receipts, was Brendan’s most prized possession—his father’s watch, an heirloom passed down through generations. He treasured it so much he rarely wore it, afraid of losing it.
A grin spread across my face. “Checkmate,” I muttered, slipping the watch into my pocket. Brendan had unknowingly left it behind, and now I held all the cards.
I texted a few friends to help me move my things back inside. As we worked, I told Jenny about the watch. “Brendan’s going to freak when he realizes it’s gone,” I said, feeling a satisfying flicker of revenge.
That evening, my phone buzzed. It was Brendan. “Hey, Gina. I think I left something important behind. Can I come by and get it?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I replied casually, enjoying a slice of pizza. “The neighbors took a few things. Maybe you should check with Cathy. She might have what you’re looking for.”
“Gina, it’s my dad’s watch. I need it back.”
I let the silence hang for a moment before answering. “Oh, the watch? Well, you might want to see if Cathy will sell it back to you—for the right price.”
He knew I was bluffing, but there was nothing he could do. The next morning, he showed up with $500 in an envelope, his face a mix of desperation and regret.
“Here,” he said, handing me the money. “You win.”
“Thanks. You can go now,” I said, handing him the watch.
As he walked away, I felt a strange sense of closure. Brendan might have made the split ugly, but I got the last word—and the satisfaction that came with it.