I stand outside my own home in Birmingham, clutching the key that no longer fits the new lock, feeling my heart shatter into pieces. My marriage, which I fought so hard to save, has crumbled in an instant. But my cheating husband and his mistress have no idea whats cominga lesson theyll never forget.
James, its nearly ten, Id said the night before, my voice trembling. You promised youd be home by seven.
He tossed his keys onto the side table without looking at me.
Work, Emily. What am I supposed to tell my boss? That I need to rush home to my wife? His tone dripped with irritation, as if I were an inconvenience.
I swallowed hard, staring at the table Id set for a simple birthday dinner. Two candles flickered beside the cake Id bought during my lunch break.
Yes, James. Thats exactly what you couldve done. Just once. I crossed my arms, holding back tears. Its my birthday.
Finally, he glanced at the table. His face twisted with realisation.
Bloody hell, Emily, I forgot He ran a hand through his hair.
Obviously, I replied coldly, the hurt choking me.
Dont start, he snapped. Im working for us, you know that.
I gave a bitter laugh.
For us? I shot back. Youre barely home, James. When was the last time we had dinner together? Watched a film? Spoke like husband and wife?
Thats not fair, he scowled. Im building a career so we have a future.
What future? We live like strangers under the same roof! My voice cracked. I earn more than you, so dont hide behind providing for the family.
His face hardened.
Right, you were bound to throw that in my face, he sneered. How am I supposed to keep up with my high-flying wife?
Thats not what I meant
Enough, Emily. Im going to bed. He cut me off and walked away, leaving me alone with the cold cake and burnt-out candles.
I blew them out, whispering to myself that things would get better. He was my husband. I loved him. Every marriage has rough patches, dont they?
How wrong I was to forgive him so easily.
Wed been married three years, but the last one was a slow, painful unravelling. We had no childrenand looking back, I thanked my lucky stars for that. My job as a marketing director paid most of our bills, while James, a sales executive, constantly moaned about stress, long hours, traffic everything except the truth, which I discovered too late.
Three weeks after my ruined birthday, I came home early with a pounding headachejust wanting painkillers and bed. But as I reached our house on the outskirts of Birmingham, something felt off. The doorknob and lock, once brass, now gleamed with new silver metal.
What the? I muttered, sliding my key in. It didnt turn.
I tried again, but the key wouldnt budge. Confused, I checked the address. Definitely my house.
Then I spotted a note taped to the door. Jamess familiar handwriting hit me like a punch: This isnt your home anymore. Find somewhere else.
The world spun. My blood turned to ice.
You absolute bastard, I hissed.
I hammered on the door, screaming his name. Finally, it swung open. James stood there, and behind him, a woman wrapped in my cashmere dressing gowna gift from my mother.
Seriously? My voice shook with rage.
Emily, listen, he crossed his arms, smirking. Ive moved on. Anna and I are together. We need this place. Go stay with someone.
Anna. The same just a work colleague hed mentioned for months. She stepped forward, hands on hips, glaring.
Your stuffs in boxes in the garage. Take it and leave.
I stared at them, stunned. Then I turned on my heel and marched to the car, determination burning inside me. They thought they could throw me out like rubbish and get away with it. But I wasnt done yet. I needed a planone that would hit them where it hurt.
I knew exactly who to call.
Emily? Oh my God, whats wrong? My sister Charlotte flung open her flat door, took one look at my tear-streaked face, and pulled me inside. What happened?
I collapsed onto her sofa, the story pouring out between sobs.
What a wanker! Charlotte hissed when I finished. And that Anna was wearing your dressing gown?
Mums gift, I choked out, wiping my eyes. The cashmere one from last birthday.
Charlotte marched to the kitchen and returned with two glasses of wine.
Drink, she ordered. Then well figure out how to ruin them.
What can I do? I took a sip. The house is in Jamess name. The mortgage was under his credit because mine was still recovering from my masters.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
And who paid for everything else? she asked.
Both of us, but I paused, realising. I bought everything. The furniture, the appliances, the bathroom renovation last year. Its all in my name.
Exactly! She grinned slyly. Whats James got left? An empty house?
I opened my banking app, scrolling through transactions.
Ive got all the receipts. I always handled the finances.
Of course you did, Miss Organised, she laughed. Queen of spreadsheets!
For the first time that horrible day, I felt control returning.
They think theyve won, dont they? I whispered.
Charlotte clinked her glass against mine.
Theyve got no idea who theyre dealing with.
The next morning, I called my lawyer friend, Rebecca.
What he did was illegal, she said after a sip of coffee. He cant change the locks and kick you out, even if the house is in his name. You have every right to live there.
I dont want to go back, I said firmly. But I want whats mine.
Rebecca smiled.
Then lets make a list.
We spent the morning cataloguing everything Id bought for the house: the sofa, the TV, the fridge, even the rugs. By noon, I had a detailed list with receipts, dates, and amounts.
Impressive, she nodded. With this proof, no one can deny its yours.
So I can take it all? I asked.
Legally, yes. But Id recommend bringing a police escort to avoid accusations of trespassing.
I remembered Jamess smug grin. Anna in my dressing gown. Their certainty theyd won.
No, I said slowly. Ive got a better idea.
That same day, I contacted a removal company. The owner, Mark, listened to my story and nodded in understanding.
Had a similar case last year, he said.
The next morning, while James and Anna were out for coffee, the movers arrived with my old key and stripped the house baredown to the last fork Id bought with my salary, leaving the place so empty even the echoes got lost in the walls.
