When Lexie overheard her husband, Mark, and the neighbor’s daughter discussing their affair, she didn’t cry, didn’t scream, didn’t confront them in a fiery explosion of emotions. No, she planned. And what she had in store for them was far more satisfying than any argument could ever be.
Mark and I had been married for ten years. We had two kids, a house, and what I thought was a strong partnership. Sure, Mark wasn’t exactly the most helpful husband—he never cooked, never cleaned, never managed the never-ending chaos of raising a family.
That was all on me.
Exhausting? Beyond words.
But I had convinced myself that it was okay.
“We’re a team, Lexie,” he’d say with a smile, usually while I scrubbed dishes or helped the kids with homework as he relaxed on the couch.
Except, apparently, Mark had signed up for a different team entirely.
It all started on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. I had just come back from the grocery store, my car packed with bags heavier than my patience. As I stepped out, I heard voices drifting from the front porch.
Mark’s voice.
And Emma’s.
Emma was our neighbor’s 25-year-old daughter, fresh out of her interior design program. Her parents were thrilled when she got her big internship. I had always liked her—until that moment.
“I can’t believe she hasn’t figured it out yet,” Emma said, her voice dripping with amusement.
Mark chuckled. “She’s too busy with the house and kids. She doesn’t notice anything. And look at her. She’s gone so gray. But she just brushes her hair the other way to hide it. Honestly, she’s let herself go. She doesn’t even look like a woman to me anymore. She’s nothing compared to you, my princess.”
Emma giggled. “Well, lucky for you, mister, I’m here now. You can parade me around all you want. And trust me, there’s no gray hair in sight.”
Then they kissed.
My heart clenched, and my hands tightened around the grocery bag so hard that the plastic began to rip. I felt my stomach drop, my breath hitch.
But I didn’t cry.
Instead, I quietly carried my groceries through the back door, placed them on the counter, and let a plan form in my mind.
The next morning, I woke up early and made Mark breakfast—fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and coffee with just the right amount of cinnamon, just how he liked it. I kissed him goodbye as he left for work, my smile so sweet that he didn’t suspect a thing.
Then I walked next door and knocked on Emma’s door.
She answered, looking surprised. “Oh! Hi, Mrs—uh, hi, Lexie.”
I smiled warmly. “Hi, Emma. I was wondering if you could come over tomorrow night. I could really use your advice on something.”
Her eyebrows raised in curiosity. “Advice? On what?”
“Well,” I hesitated, pretending to be unsure. “I’ve been thinking about redecorating the living room. Your parents mentioned you studied interior design, and I’d love your opinion on colors and furniture ideas.”
For a moment, doubt flickered in her eyes, but then she smiled. “Oh! I’d love to help! What time?”
“Seven would be perfect,” I said. “Dinner time.”
The next evening, Emma arrived dressed to impress. She greeted me cheerfully, her confidence radiating through the door.
I welcomed her inside with a grin. “Oh, before we get to the living room, I need to show you a few things.”
I led her through the house, my voice casual, but my words precise.
“Here’s the dishwasher. You’ll need to load it every night, since Mark never bothers. The kids’ laundry goes here. Be careful—each of them has different detergent needs.”
Emma frowned slightly. “What?”
“Oh, and here’s the after-school schedule. You’ll need to pick them up Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesdays are for errands. I’ve also listed the numbers for the plumber, the electrician, and the pediatrician. Just in case.”
Her smile started to fade.
“And this,” I continued, leading her to the kitchen, “is where you’ll prepare all the meals. It’s a lot, but you’ll get the hang of it. Mark likes his steak medium-rare. The kids prefer theirs well done—practically charcoal.”
She blinked. “Wait, I—”
“Oh, and don’t expect Mark to thank you,” I added. “Manners aren’t really his thing.”
She was pale now. “Lexie, I—I didn’t offer to—”
Just then, the front door opened.
Mark walked in, whistling, then froze at the sight of us.
“Lex, what’s going on?” he asked, his voice tight.
I turned to him, smiling. “Oh, I’m just showing Emma how to run the house. Since you think I’ve let myself go, I figured it’s time I focus on myself. And also, maybe find someone who sees me as a princess.”
Before they could respond, there was a knock at the door.
I opened it with a flourish.
Emma’s parents stood there, smiling. “Lexie! We heard you were making your famous roast chicken,” her father said, stepping inside.
I grinned. “Oh, yes. And I thought it was the perfect time to make Emma part of the family. She and Mark have gotten so close, after all.”
Emma’s mom’s smile faltered. “Wait… what?”
I turned to Emma. “Go ahead, tell them.”
Emma turned ghost-white. “It’s not what it looks like!” she stammered.
Her dad’s face darkened. “Emma, tell me this isn’t true.”
Mark, the coward, tried to shift the blame. “Lexie, this isn’t fair! Emma came onto me!”
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re saying you had no part in this?”
Howard, Emma’s father, looked at Mark with disgust. “This is on you, Mark. And you too, Emma. Let’s go.”
Emma shot me a murderous glare before storming out. Her parents followed, muttering apologies.
Mark turned to me, desperation in his eyes. “Lexie, please, we’ve been together for so long. Let’s talk.”
I sighed. “We’ll talk. My lawyer will call you tomorrow. But for now? Pack your bags.”
He paled. “Where will I go?”
I shrugged. “Motel. A friend’s place. The circus.”
“And the kids?”
“With my sister. Until the divorce is settled.”
A week later, I heard Emma had dumped Mark.
“It was fun while it lasted,” she reportedly said, “but I didn’t sign up to be a mom.”
Two weeks later, Mark came crawling back with flowers.
“I’ve been miserable without you,” he pleaded. “Please, let me come back.”
I smiled. “I don’t care, Mark.” And then I shut the door in his face.
Now? I’ve never been happier. I took up salsa dancing, found my joy, and created a new life filled with laughter and love.
As for Mark? He’s still single.
And karma? She’s a wonderful thing, isn’t she?
