John smirked. “Oh, Nicky!
It’s not like you didn’t see it coming. Come on. We both know there’s nothing left between us.
I don’t want to waste my remaining years sulking around. I want to live, be free, and maybe even find someone… SO YES, I’M DIVORCING YOU.”
“And you think I will let you off the hook so easily? You wish, John!” I snarled.
“You want to live like a free man, don’t you? Well, guess what? I am not going to sign the divorce papers, and you are not getting a single penny, let alone any share!”
“You can’t do that, Nicky!
If you don’t sign the papers of your own volition, I will compel you to the point where you will have to!”
I laughed. “Oh, poor Johnny! What will you do?
Bring a mistress home? Those young girls you’ve been playing around with? They won’t clean and cook for you like I did, John!
I looked after you for 47 goddamn years! I raised our children by myself while you slept on the living room couch after work, drank beer, and went out with friends. And you think you’re going to get away with it?
Never!”
“Well then,” John paused, looking at his wristwatch. “I don’t think I have a way out. I am leaving for a trip to Mexico in one hour.
And I guess I’ll be away for six months. I completed all of the bookings, and, well, I used up nearly all of the savings we had in our joint account.”
My heart stopped. “What?
How the hell did you…That had my savings too, John! How dare you use it without discussing it with me?”
“I knew you would create a ruckus over divorce Nicky. And so, that’s how I had it planned!”
With that, John went to our bedroom, packed his stuff, and left our house, leaving the divorce papers behind.
“If you don’t want to live with the consequences of your decision, sign it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, your life will be nothing but hell from now on!” he added before leaving.
I broke down in tears as I watched him walk away.
Sure, John hadn’t been the best partner ever, but I’d only recently discovered that he was sleeping with women much younger than him who didn’t want anything serious but just a night’s stand.
And so, he tried to get rid of me and divorce me.
But I didn’t want the divorce.
After our son and daughter moved out, I had only John beside me. And so, even after discovering his infidelity, I kept quiet, thinking things would improve, but alas, it did not.
John finally declared he wanted to divorce me.
But I had made up my mind I wouldn’t let him slide. Not this time, John! You are not getting away with it!
Three months later…
I was sitting in the living room, sipping raspberry tea, munching on chocolate chip cookies, and continually checking my watch when I heard the doorbell ring.
My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw John at the doorstep.
“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in Mexico?”
“Oh, Nicky! I am sorry, I am so sorry for what I did!” he begged, getting on his knees.
“Please forgive me. I was wrong to leave you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
I was stunned.
“John, what’s the matter? Okay, calm down. Let’s go inside and talk, alright?”
“Oh, Nicky!
Where do I even start? I met this young girl, Maddison,” he began once we’d settled inside. “She was gorgeous, and I thought she loved me.
We spent two months in Mexico togethe but she was a con! She robbed me! She took all my money and everything!”
“We were living in her modest apartment in Mexico together.
She made me do everything for her, including cooking and cleaning. She had two children, and I even babysat them since I felt she loved me. But every night…” he cleared his throat.
“We never slept together because every time her kids would come into the room and she’d make an excuse and leave with them.
She said she would marry me, but it was all fake… she was just after the money!”
“Oh, dear!” I gasped, struggling to hide my smile. “That’s terrible…terrible…You know what….” I had started to speak when the doorbell rang.
“Just a minute, John. Let me see who’s there,” I said as I walked to the door.
“Who’s there, Nicky?
What… What are you doing here?” John was taken aback when he noticed Maddison on our porch. “Nicky! She’s the one!
She’s the one who robbed me!”
Maddison and I exchanged glances and burst out laughing.
“All right, John! I know everything. Meet Mandy — or as you said — Maddison.
She is my friend’s daughter. A single mother of two who helped me gather evidence against my infidel husband!”
“I had warned you, John, that you would regret it! I tracked down your hotel using Facebook and called Maddison for help.
This was all a trap, honey, and I’m so glad you fell for it!”
“What?” John exploded. “You did all of this on purpose?! You will regret it, Nicky!
You will!”
“No, John,” I yelled. “You will be the one at a loss this time. Take your luggage and leave my house immediately!
And yes, I’m divorcing you, you jerk! And I’ll see to it that you don’t get a single cent! So get up and leave!
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE NOW!”
John took his luggage and left the house, mumbling something I didn’t care about.
I thanked Mandy for her help, and we enjoyed a cup of delicious raspberry tea on that chilly morning, laughing about how well our plan worked out.
A few months later, John and I were divorced, and when our children learned about what had transpired, they took my side and ridiculed their father for stooping so low.
