“Happy Anniversary… Now Let’s Get Divorced?”
It was our first wedding anniversary. I wore my favorite dress, did my hair just the way Thomas liked it, and lit the candles on our beautifully set dinner table. Everything was perfect.
I had spent two whole weeks planning this night. I even learned how to cook duck à l’orange—tried the recipe twice to make sure it came out just right. I wanted everything to feel magical. After all, Thomas and I had spent our first year of marriage laughing through burnt pancakes and dancing barefoot in the kitchen. I felt loved. I felt safe.
And I didn’t forget about his gift either.
A few months ago, I saw him stop in front of a store window, admiring a sleek designer tie. He didn’t say anything, just smiled and walked on. But I noticed. I remembered. And I bought it.
So now I stood there, glowing with happiness, proud of everything I had prepared. I imagined the look on his face when he walked in.
Then my phone rang.
“Hey, sweetheart,” came Thomas’s voice—way too casual for the occasion.
“I’m already halfway to the airport.”
I froze.
“What airport?”
“Emergency client meeting. You know how it is…” he said lightly.
I blinked.
“Thomas, it’s our anniversary today.”
“I haven’t forgotten! I’ll make it up to you, I promise. As soon as I’m back.”
Make it up to me?
I looked at the candlelit table again. The perfect meal. The gift. The dress. And now… I’d be eating alone?
“Right. Safe flight.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Love you.”
I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. Instead, I tried to salvage the evening. I ran a hot bath, poured in lavender oil, and sank into the warm bubbles. Maybe tomorrow would be better.
But just as I was starting to relax… ding-dong!
Wrapped in a towel, I answered the door.
A delivery man stood there holding a big white box with a shiny red ribbon.
“Anna?”
I nodded, confused.
“Special delivery,” he said.
“From who?”
“Anonymous. Have a great evening!”
He walked off, leaving me alone with the mystery box. My heart did a hopeful flip.
Maybe Thomas DID leave me a surprise after all!
I rushed to the table and opened the lid.
Buttercream.
Vanilla cake.
Golden lettering.
And then—my heart dropped.
Across the top of the cake, written in shimmering gold, were the words:
“It’s time to get divorced!”
What. The. Hell?
Was this a prank?
Then I noticed the small card tucked under the lid. I pulled it out with trembling fingers.
“Hope you take this as well as he did. XOXO.”
I stood there in shock.
Was this… from his mistress?
My phone rang again.
It was Gloria—my mother-in-law. I hesitated, but picked up.
“Anna, darling! Happy anniversary!” she chirped.
“Thank you,” I said, trying not to sound shaky.
“How do you like the ring?”
I froze.
“Ring?”
“Thomas said it was exquisite!”
My mind raced.
Thomas always gave me gifts in the morning. Always.
But today? Nothing.
I forced a lie.
“Oh… yes. It’s beautiful.”
“Such a shame he had to leave today,” Gloria sighed. “But what a fun chance for a surprise!”
“Surprise?”
“Yes! He said he’s staying at the same hotel you two visited last spring! You should go surprise him, Anna!” she giggled.
That was it. The cake. The note. The mysterious missing ring. Something wasn’t adding up.
“That’s a great idea,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’ll book a flight right now.”
“How exciting! Can’t wait to hear all about it!”
I ended the call and stared at the cake one last time.
Then I grabbed my purse and booked the next flight.
The Flight and The Hotel
I barely made it in time. I sprinted through the airport like my life depended on it. My thoughts were louder than the jet engines.
Am I crazy? Is this really happening?
By the time I landed, it was past midnight. I went straight to the hotel where Thomas was supposedly staying.
The kind receptionist smiled at me.
“Room 614,” she said, after I flashed her the cake photo and gave her my “cheating husband” face.
I stood outside the door, my hands shaking.
Then I knocked.
It opened.
And standing there…
Was a beautiful woman.
Silky dark hair. Red lips. Bare shoulder. Gorgeous silk dress.
Behind her, on the bed?
Thomas’s clothes.
I couldn’t breathe.
She leaned against the doorframe and gave me a wicked smirk.
“Thomas is in the shower,” she said. “I’ll let him know you stopped by.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said calmly.
“Oh? Don’t want to interrupt?”
“Something like that.”
She smiled mockingly.
“You look tense. There’s a spa downstairs. Go relax.”
I smiled sweetly.
“Thanks. But I brought my own stress relief.”
And then—BAM!—I smashed the entire cake into her face.
Buttercream. Everywhere.
She screamed, “WHAT THE—?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!”
“Possibly,” I replied, stepping inside.
She flung a pillow at me. I dodged it.
“I was aiming for your dignity,” I said, “but I guess you didn’t have any left.”
She charged, but her cake-slick heels slipped. She crashed to the floor.
I stepped over her.
“Send me the dry-cleaning bill!”
I headed toward the bathroom, ready to confront Thomas.
But what I found stopped me cold.
The Twist No One Saw Coming
There, lounging in a white bathrobe, champagne glass in hand, was Gloria.
Yes. My mother-in-law.
She looked at me like I was a puppy who had finally barked.
“You weren’t supposed to barge in,” she said lazily.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Oh, sweetie. You’re always so… passive. I didn’t expect this fire.”
“Where’s Thomas?”
“Another hotel. He left you alone, remember? I saw a chance—and I took it.”
My voice cracked. “What chance?”
She sighed like I was boring her.
“To get rid of you, of course.”
I stared at her.
“The cake…?”
She grinned. “Baked it myself! Beautiful, wasn’t it?”
“Why?”
“Because you were never good enough for my son. But Alicia,” she waved toward the frosting-covered woman on the floor, “she’s perfect. Model. Rich. Classy.”
“You’re insane. Thomas loves me.”
She smirked. “Not for long. I play the long game, sweetheart.”
I smiled and pulled out my phone.
“Funny. I play smarter.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“What do you mean?”
I held up my screen.
“I called Thomas the second I entered. And when I realized the suit on the bed wasn’t his—I left the line open.”
Her smirk disappeared.
I hit speakerphone.
“Mom, I can’t believe you! HOW COULD YOU? We’re talking about this later.”
Thomas’s voice was full of fury.
“Anna, I’ll be there in ten. Wait in the lobby.”
Gloria froze.
I smiled sweetly.
“Thanks for the cake. It looks amazing on Alicia’s face.”
And I walked out like a queen.
The Aftermath
I waited in the hotel lobby, still smeared in frosting, hair a mess, dress wrinkled from the chaos. But inside? I felt powerful.
The elevator dinged. Thomas rushed out.
He stopped in front of me, breathing hard.
“I… I don’t even know what to say.”
“Start with: ‘My mother is crazy.’”
He rubbed his face. “Anna, I had no idea…”
I raised my hand.
“We’ll talk later. Right now? I’m starving.”
He laughed, pulled me into his arms, and we headed out for dinner.
It wasn’t romantic or fancy. But it was real.
Later, over dessert, Thomas pulled out a small velvet box.
I eyed it.
“Is this from your mother?”
He chuckled.
“No. This one’s really from me.”
Inside was a beautiful ring. I smiled.
“I have a gift for you too,” I said.
“Another cake?”
I smirked.
“If you ever miss our anniversary again… then yes. But it won’t be edible.”
He laughed.
That night, I didn’t just win back my evening.
I reminded everyone—especially Gloria—that I wasn’t someone to mess with.
Marriage wasn’t perfect.
But I sure as hell wasn’t going to let anyone take it from me.