On the night of our first wedding anniversary, I stood in my best dress, excitement bubbling inside me. The candles flickered on the beautifully set table, the duck à l’orange rested perfectly on the plate, and my heart felt full.
But then the phone rang.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Thomas’s voice came through, casual as ever. “I’m already halfway to the airport.”
I frowned, gripping the phone tighter. “What airport?”
“There’s an emergency meeting. Clients, you know how it is…”
My heart sank. “Thomas, today is our anniversary.”
“And I haven’t forgotten! I’ll make it up to you, I promise, as soon as I’m back.”
Make it up to me. The words echoed in my head. I stared at the romantic dinner I had prepared, imagining myself eating alone.
“Right. Safe flight.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Love you.”
I didn’t want to ruin my night sulking, so I decided to relax with a warm bubble bath. But just as I sank into the fragrant water, the doorbell rang. Annoyed, I wrapped myself in a towel and answered the door. A delivery man stood there, holding a large white box tied with a red ribbon.
“Anna?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Special delivery,” he said, handing me the box.
“Who is it from?” I asked.
“Anonymous order. Have a great evening!”
Confused, I shut the door and carried the box to the table. My heart lifted. Did Thomas arrange a surprise after all? I carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was a cake, its creamy aroma filling the air. But it wasn’t the cake that stole my breath. It was the message written across it in golden lettering.
“It’s time to get divorced!”
My hands shook. Was this some kind of sick joke? A mistake? And then I noticed a small card tucked beneath the lid.
“Hope you take this as well as he did. XOXO.”
A mistress? My stomach twisted.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Gloria, my mother-in-law.
“Anna, darling! Happy anniversary!” she chirped.
I swallowed. “Thank you.”
“How do you like the ring? Thomas said it was exquisite!”
My blood ran cold. “Ring?”
“Oh yes! He said he gave it to you this morning. Such a shame he had to leave today, but what a wonderful opportunity for a surprise!”
I forced a smile into my voice. “A surprise?”
“Of course! He told me he’s staying at the same hotel where you two once stayed. Oh, how romantic! You should buy a ticket and surprise him!”
The cake. The note. The mysterious ring I never received. My breath hitched.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Gloria,” I said sweetly. “I’ll book a flight right now.”
An hour later, I was racing through the airport, barely catching the last flight. My mind spun. Am I making a mistake? What if I’m about to see something I can’t unsee?
By the time I landed, exhaustion weighed on my shoulders, but adrenaline kept me moving. The kind receptionist at the hotel had provided Thomas’s room number without question when I casually flashed a picture of the cake.
Room 614.
I stood outside, my pulse pounding in my ears. I knocked.
The door swung open, and I nearly gasped.
A stunning brunette stood before me, wrapped in a silk dress that clung to her like it had been designed just for her. Her dark hair cascaded over one bare shoulder, and behind her, on the bed, lay Thomas’s clothes.
She smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “Thomas is in the shower,” she purred. “I’ll let him know you stopped by.”
I clenched my fists. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Oh? Wouldn’t want to disturb him?”
“Something like that,” I said, shifting the weight in my hands.
“You look tense,” she mocked. “Maybe you should get a massage while you’re here. There’s a great spa downstairs.”
I smiled sweetly. “Thanks for the suggestion. But I brought my stress relief.”
And with one swift motion, I smashed the cake straight into her smug little face. Buttercream and fondant exploded everywhere.
She shrieked, stumbling back, her hands flying to her frosting-covered hair. “WHAT THE…?! ARE YOU INSANE?!”
“Possibly,” I said, stepping inside.
She grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at me. I dodged effortlessly.
“I was aiming for your dignity, but it turns out you didn’t have much to begin with.”
She lunged, but her icing-coated heels betrayed her, and she went sprawling onto the carpet in a spectacular heap.
I stepped over her. “Don’t forget to send me the dry-cleaning bill!”
Then I stormed toward the bathroom, heart pounding, ready to rip Thomas apart…
And stopped cold.
There, wrapped in a plush robe, sipping champagne like she owned the place, stood Gloria.
My mother-in-law smirked. “Oh, you weren’t supposed to burst in. That’s not very… you.”
“What?”
“You’re always so uncertain. I wasn’t expecting this side of you. Almost impressive for a gray little mouse like you.”
I ignored the insult. “Where’s Thomas?”
She sighed. “Oh, he’s at another hotel. Who leaves his wife alone on their anniversary? I saw an opportunity and took it.”
“Opportunity for what?”
She smiled lazily. “To get rid of you.”
I stiffened. “The cake… You sent it?”
“Baked it myself! Did you like it?”
“You’re insane. Thomas loves me. You will never separate us.”
She swirled her champagne. “Now it’s just a bit trickier. But don’t worry. I play the long game.”
I smiled. “So do I.”
I pulled out my phone and held it up. Gloria froze.
“Didn’t I mention? I called Thomas the moment I walked in. I left the line open.”
And then, Thomas’s voice boomed from the speaker.
“Mom, I can’t believe you! How could you?! We’ll talk later… Anna, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Wait in the lobby.”
For the first time, Gloria’s smirk faltered.
I smirked back. “Enjoy your evening.”
I turned to leave but glanced back at the brunette, still dripping in cake.
“Oh, and Gloria? Thanks for the cake. It looks amazing on Alicia’s face.”
Then, with my head held high, I strode out like I had won the Oscars.
By the time Thomas arrived, I was in the hotel lobby, still covered in frosting. He ran a hand through his hair. “Anna, I had no idea…”
“Try ‘My mother is insane’ for starters.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Let’s go get dinner.”
At dinner, he pulled out a velvet box. Inside was a stunning ring.
“Is this… from your mother?” I asked.
He laughed. “No. This is actually from me.”
I smiled. “Good. But if you ever go on a business trip on our anniversary again… there will be another cake. And it won’t have frosting.”
Thomas laughed, reaching for my hand. That night, we celebrated. It wasn’t perfect. But it was ours.
