I wanted to surprise Miguel. As I turned onto our street, I noticed several cars parked in front of our house. Blue and pink balloons swayed in the yard, and a big sign read:
“Welcome, our little miracle.”
Curious, I parked a block away and walked over. The front door was slightly open. Music and laughter spilled out into the warm air. When I stepped inside, I froze.
There, in the middle of the living room, stood Carmen – my best friend – visibly six months pregnant. My mother-in-law, Rosa, was lovingly rubbing her belly while my own mother poured drinks. Gifts covered a decorated table.
“So, is the nursery ready?” Aunt Elena asked.
“Almost,” Carmen replied proudly. “Miguel insisted on painting it himself. He’s been working on it every weekend.”
Just then, Miguel walked in, carrying a tray of drinks. He went straight to Carmen, hugged her from behind, and placed his hands on her belly.
“All that’s left is the crib. We picked it together last week.”
My mother’s face went pale when she saw me. She hurried over, whispering, “Anna, we weren’t expecting you. Let’s talk outside.”
I pulled my arm away. “Talk about what? That my husband got my best friend pregnant while I was working abroad?”
The Truth No One Wanted to Face
The laughter di:ed instantly. Carmen’s face drained of color. Miguel froze, his hands still resting on her stomach.
“Anna—” he began.
“Don’t. How long have you been che:ating on me?”
No one answered. My father stood in the corner, unable to meet my eyes.
Carmen stepped forward. “We didn’t want you to find out like this”
“Oh, really? How were you planning to tell me? After the baby was born?”
Rosa interrupted sharply. “Anna, think about the baby. Carmen doesn’t need this stress.”
“Her condition?” I let out a bitter laugh. “The same condition I was in two years ago when I lost mine? Where was your concern then, Rosa?”
The room fell silent. My mother whispered, “Honey, I know this is hard—”
“Hard for who? Me, who worked nonstop for nine months while you all hid this from me? Or for those who helped cover it up?”
Betrayal in Broad Daylight
Miguel finally pulled away from Carmen. “Anna, can we talk privately? Don’t make a scene.”
“A scene?” I laughed coldly.
“You mean the scene where you convinced me to work abroad so you could ‘save money for our future’? Or the one where you played the victim while sleeping with my best friend?”
Carmen’s eyes filled with tears.
“We didn’t plan this.” “Of course not. You just accidentally fell on top of my husband, right?”
The guests shifted awkwardly, some grabbing their things to leave. My father tried to calm me, but I neglected him.
“I’m actually grateful,” I said flatly.
“Because now I see everyone for who they really are — my husband, the liar; my best friend, the traitor; my family, the cowards.”
I grabbed a random gift from the table. “Here, Mom. You bought this for your son-in-law’s mistress. Lovely choice.” I tore the wrapping open – a white baby set with blue trim.
“Thoughtful. Keep the receipt.”
Miguel tried to snatch it away.
“Stop it, Anna, you’re embarrassing yourself.”
“Me? You did that all by yourself, Miguel when you got my best friend pregnant while I paid every bill in this house.”
The Final Straw
Rosa rose from the couch.
“He was just looking for happiness – something you couldn’t give him. You were always too busy.”
“You’re right,” I said coldly. “Too busy paying the mortgage on this house where your son cheated on me.”
I looked around the room, at the faces that once felt familiar but now seemed like strangers.
“You know what? Keep the house, the furniture, the gifts. Miguel, I hope you get a job, because you’ll never see a cent of my money again.”
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, while I was away, I wasn’t just working. I was consulting a lawyer. I have proof of every dollar I put into this marriage.”
I walked out, ignoring the shocked whispers behind me. My body trembled, but I refused to cry. They didn’t deserve my tears.
Running from the Ruins
I got into my car and drove aimlessly, my phone buzzing nonstop — Miguel, my mother, even Carmen.
“Please, Anna, we have to talk,” one message read.
But I already understood everything. Every “I miss you” call was a lie. Every “busy” excuse from Carmen was an alibi.
Eventually, I stopped at a random hotel. The receptionist gave me a sympathetic look as I checked in. Once inside my room, I collapsed on the bed and finally cried not for Miguel, not even for Carmen, but for myself.
The next morning, I went straight to my lawyer’s office.
“I want to file immediately,” I said.
“Divorce, division of assets — and make sure he gets nothing.”
“You have all the evidence,” he confirmed. “The house is in your name. He has no claim.”
“Good,” I replied. “Let him find out the hard way.”
The Fall of Miguel
Miguel tried calling, texting, begging to meet. I ignored him until one afternoon he showed up at the café where I was having coffee.
He looked terrible – unshaven, hollow-eyed. “Anna, please, I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
I crossed my arms. “How exactly did you plan for me to find out? An invitation to the baby shower?”
He sighed. “I felt lonely. You were always gone.”
“And why was I gone? Because I was working to pay for everything while you did nothing!”
He looked at me helplessly. “Can’t we fix this another way?”
“We already are,” I said calmly. “Through my lawyer. You won’t get a dime — and I hope you’re a good father, because I’m done.”
I stood up and walked away, not looking back.
Reve:nge Served Cold
The news spread fast. My true friends supported me; my family tried to justify their betrayal.
My mother begged, “Please forgive us. We didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Forgive? No. I’m moving on.”
I bought a new apartment, focused on my career, and ignored every call from Miguel. When he texted, “I miss you,” I laughed and deleted it.
A few weeks later, my mother showed up again. “He’s losing everything, Anna. Have mercy.”
“Mercy?” I snapped. “He ruined my life. Now he’s living the consequences.”
Days later, I heard Miguel was behind on the mortgage. Then came the eviction notice. I showed up to watch him pack his boxes. Carmen stood beside him, clutching her belly.
“You can’t do this to me,” he shouted.
“I already did,” I said. “You lived in my house, Miguel. You were just a parasite.”
The eviction officer ended it: “Time’s up.”
Miguel’s face twisted in panic. “You just want to destroy me!”
I looked him dead in the eyes. “Yes.”
Karma Comes Full Circle
My family called me cruel, heartless, obsessed with revenge. Maybe I was. But after everything he took from me, justice felt right.
Miguel spiraled downward – jobless, homeless, desperate. Then came the final twist. A mutual friend told me Carmen had filed for divorce.
“She’s leaving him,” he said. “And she’s asking for alimony.”
I burst out laughing.
“Oh, the irony,” I said. “She used him until he was broke, just like he used me.”
Karma had done its work. Miguel was left with nothing — no home, no love, no money — just the wreckage he created himself.
And me? I was finally free.
