When Lisa’s husband, Derek, suggested they take a month-long break to “reignite their relationship,” she wasn’t thrilled about the idea. But he spoke about it with such enthusiasm, making it sound like some revolutionary relationship strategy.
“You’ll see,” he had said over breakfast, smiling as he stirred sugar into his coffee. “It’ll be like dating all over again. You’ll miss me. I’ll miss you. And when the month’s over, it’ll be a fresh start for us.”
Lisa hesitated but ultimately agreed. Maybe some time apart would make them appreciate each other more. Maybe this was just a temporary hurdle in their marriage. So, with a heavy heart, she packed a bag and moved into a short-term rental across town.
The first week was lonely. Derek barely texted or called, but when he did, he acted like everything was fine. Lisa tried to focus on herself, keep busy, and believe that their “big reunion,” as Derek called it, would be worth it.
One evening, her sister Penelope came over with a bottle of wine.
“Lisa, are you sure about this?” Penelope asked, taking a sip from her glass. “It just seems… sketchy.”
Lisa sighed, arranging a few crackers on a plate. “I know. But anytime I questioned it, Derek would act like I was overreacting. He was so sure this was good for us.”
Penelope frowned. “Something feels off. If I were you, I’d keep an eye on him.”
Lisa felt the same way, but she didn’t want to spiral into paranoia. Instead, she told herself to trust her husband.
That trust shattered one quiet Saturday evening when Lisa’s phone rang.
“Lisa,” her neighbor Mary’s voice came through, tense and urgent. “You need to come home. Now.”
Lisa sat up straight. “Mary? What’s wrong?”
“There’s a woman in your house,” Mary whispered. “I saw her silhouette through the window.”
Lisa felt the air leave her lungs. A woman? In their house?
Her mind raced. Maybe it was a break-in. Maybe it was Sheila, Derek’s mother. But deep down, her gut whispered the truth: Derek had moved another woman in.
“Are you sure?” Lisa’s voice trembled.
“Positive,” Mary insisted. “Hurry!”
Lisa didn’t think. She grabbed her keys and ran out the door.
When she reached the house, she shoved the front door open without hesitation. Her heart pounded as she sprinted upstairs, straight to their bedroom.
And there she was.
Not a mistress, but Sheila.
Derek’s mother stood in the middle of the bedroom, holding up one of Lisa’s lace bras with a look of pure disapproval. Around her, Lisa’s clothes were scattered everywhere, and trash bags sat on the floor, filled with what used to be Lisa’s wardrobe.
“What the hell are you doing?” Lisa demanded, making Sheila jump.
Sheila turned, completely unfazed. “Oh, Lisa. You’re back early.”
She waved the bra in the air. “I’m cleaning up this house. This isn’t suitable for a married woman.”
Lisa’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
Sheila gestured toward the bags. “These clothes don’t reflect the values of a proper wife. Derek asked me to help get things in order while you were gone.”
Lisa’s blood boiled. “Get my things in order? By throwing away my clothes? Who gave you the right?”
Sheila huffed. “Honestly, Lisa, someone had to step in. The house is a mess, and your wardrobe… well, it sends the wrong message. Derek deserves better.”
Lisa clenched her fists. “Where is Derek?”
“Out running errands,” Sheila said dismissively. “He knows I’m here. We both agree this is what’s best.”
Lisa stood there, stunned. Derek hadn’t just allowed this—he had invited it.
An hour later, Derek returned, bounding up the stairs. Sheila had moved to the living room, wisely choosing to remove herself from Lisa’s line of fire.
“Lisa?” Derek said, stepping into the room. “Why are you here?”
“Why am I here?” Lisa shot back. “Because Mary called and told me there was a woman in my house going through my things. Imagine my surprise when I found out it was your mother!”
Derek sighed like she was making a big deal out of nothing. “Lisa, calm down. Mom is just here to help.”
“Help?” Lisa laughed bitterly. “By throwing away my clothes? By treating me like some misbehaving child?”
“You’ve been struggling with… well, everything lately,” Derek said, his voice maddeningly patient. “The house is always messy. There are crumbs in the bed. The fridge handle is sticky.”
Lisa gaped at him. “That’s because YOU eat in bed, Derek! And the fridge? That’s YOUR peanut butter and jelly hands!”
“Don’t blame me for everything, Lisa!” Derek snapped. “I thought Mom could step in while we figured things out.”
Lisa shook her head. “You said this break was to reignite our relationship, not to let your mother take over my life!”
Derek rubbed his neck, clearly frustrated. “Lisa, you’re twisting this. Mom just wants to help. I didn’t think you’d react like this.”
“React like this?” Lisa threw up her hands. “You let your mother invade our home, disrespect me, and throw away my things! This isn’t about help, Derek. This is about control. And if you can’t see that, I can’t help you.”
Derek’s face fell. He finally looked shaken. But Lisa didn’t care. She was done.
She grabbed a suitcase and packed what little Sheila had left untouched. Without another word, she walked out the door.
That was three days ago. She had already called a lawyer.
Some might say she was overreacting, but to Lisa, this wasn’t just about privacy. This was Derek showing, loud and clear, that he didn’t see her as an equal. He didn’t want a wife—he wanted a maid who obeyed.
Well, that wasn’t Lisa.
Now, she was staying with Penelope while sorting out the divorce.
“What was the worst part for you, sis?” Penelope asked one evening.
Lisa thought for a moment. “That my husband saw me as a failure. Sure, we had problems, but I thought we were still in this together. And Sheila… she’s always hated me.”
Penelope sighed, kneading pizza dough. “I always knew Derek was the biggest mistake of your life.”
Lisa gasped. “What?”
“Sorry, but it’s true,” Penelope admitted. “After you married him, you lost yourself. You stopped painting, Lisa. Where’s the sister who would turn any blank canvas into art?”
Lisa fell silent. She hadn’t realized it, but Penelope was right.
“Find her, Lisa,” Penelope said. “She deserves to come back.”
And so, Lisa did exactly that.
She rented a new place with an extra room just for painting. She picked up a brush again and started creating. She was finally shedding Derek and Sheila from her life.
For the first time in years, she was finding herself again.
