She couldnt possibly have changed so much! Oliver gasped when he spotted his exwife outside the sleek restaurant on Bond Street. He stared at the glossy shop window, halfexpecting a prank. No, that cant be her. I cant believe Daisy would look like that. He swallowed hard, inching away so she wouldnt notice him.
Inside, a glamorous blonde sat by the window, tapping away on a laptop. A waiter placed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a tart topped with raspberries and strawberries on the table. Where did she get that pricey bracelet? Oliver muttered, clenching his jaw. She must be worth a fortune. He scooted to the side, hoping she wouldnt see his nervous grin.
—
Oliver and Daisy first met six years earlier. Hed just graduated from university and landed a junior role at a wellknown construction firm. His career was taking off faster than a London tube at rush hour.
One day at a buildingmaterials exhibition, Oliver struck up a conversation with a pleasant young woman manning a stand. What do you think of these excavators? Fancy a coffee instead? he suggested cheerfully. The two chatted, and Daisys quiet, friendly nature immediately caught his eye.
In Olivers head, she was the perfect catch: She never argues, she agrees with everything. Shell make a splendid, obedient wife. He thought, Shes a bit on the round side, but a gym membership will sort that out. And if she ever gets lively after the kids, Ill simply take a mistress. He handed her a coffee and smirked.
Later, when they stepped out onto the street, Oliver teased, What are you doing here at the show? Daisy blushed, her large blue eyes sparkling. Im a budding writer, hoping to break into screenwriting, she admitted, but I need to pay the rent. Oliver, already plotting, thought, Shes got no connections, no property. I could shape her into whatever I need: cook, clean, raise children, obey me without question. He puffed his chest and bragged.
—
Oliver bought a coffee from a kiosk across the road, perched on a bench, and kept an eye on Daisy. When she stepped back onto the pavement, he was stunned. She glided in a mink coat, her stride as graceful as a runway model. Oliver could hardly believe that three years could transform her so completely. Then she slipped into a sleek sports car, and his jaw dropped.
She must have found a rich bloke, he whispered, gulping his hot brew and shaking the fragile cup as if it might explode. Daisy was already whisked away down a side street.
That night Oliver lay awake. After their breakup, Daisy had blocked him on every social platform. In a fit of desperation he created a new account just to stalk her Instagram. Envy, jealousy, rage, and a halflit bottle of whisky flooded his mind.
You couldnt possibly have changed like this You were nobody, and I took you in with nothing to my name. How do you afford those lavish hotel photos, designer bags, sparkling jewellery? he muttered, scrolling through pictures of Daisy posing in fivestar resorts. Did you lose ten stone? Are those curves from plastic surgery or the gym? His fingers curled around the phone like a vice.
—
The next morning Oliver recalled a conversation with Daisy. That story of yours was nonsense, he said, shaking his head. Taste is personal. Daisy replied meekly, I already have a few admirers of my work. Oliver snorted, Admire? Only fools read that drivel.
You know, Oliver, weve been together a year and you cant accept that I have my own passions, Daisys voice trembled. Im not criticizing your endless work hours, but you could help me out a bit. Oliver snapped, Exactly! If youd actually support me, Id spend less time at the office. He leapt from his chair, Enough of this useless writing. From now on youll stop the stories and start assisting me.
What? Stop writing? Daisy froze, eyes wide. If you want to keep the family together and make life better, youll quit the pointless scribbling and help me properly. Oliver glared, My soul doesnt need your whining. Youre useless as a person right now. From today youll get a daily task list and obey.
But writing is my heart! Daisy sobbed. I cant just bury my lifes work. Oliver shrugged, I dont care. No one else needs it. Youre nothing without me. Ill give you chores; youll do them. He continued, Ive been feeding you, buying you gifts, even taking you on a beach holiday. Either you help me or youre out.
Youre not holding me by force, Daisy snapped, turning away. If you dont like it, the doors right there. Oliver pointed at the exit. She wiped her tears, shut down her laptop, and never lifted a pen again.
—
A year later Oliver had forged connections, amassed a modest fortune from the sale of his grandmothers house, and launched his own construction company. Daisy spent her days handling paperwork, presentations, and overseeing contractors. The business thrived, but Oliver still wasnt happy with Daisys appearance.
Stress made Daisy turn to sweets, and she quickly put on weight. Where am I supposed to go with this pig? Oliver complained to a mate in a pub. She was already a bit plump at the wedding, now shes unwatchable. His friend chuckled, Tough sight, mate. Oliver, after a pint, downloaded a dating app on his phone. I thought Id get a sidelove when Daisy had the kids, but shes become a nightmare, he muttered. Time to replace her.
Enter Olivia, a sporty, ambitious woman he met on the app. Within their first date she agreed to be his new companion, even sneaking off to a posh London restaurants restroom for a quick tryst. Olivia was demanding, whispering in his ear at his upscale flat with panoramic city views, You love how I look, dont you? Oliver cooed, trailing a feathersoft kiss along her back.
She listed her demands: Three thousand pounds a month for hair, nails, a cosmetologist, gym membership Oliver barely listened, mesmerised by her beauty and confident that his newfound success could afford anything.
A month later Olivia had completely supplanted Daisy in Olivers thoughts. He rarely returned home, where Daisy waited each evening with a plate of pasta and pesto sauce. How was the business trip? she asked. Fine, Oliver grunted. Im not hungry. He brushed her off, saying, Lets get back to work. How are the numbers?
Daisy, now more like an office clerk than a wife, worked for free while Oliver demanded more from her than any other employee. After a month, Oliver grew sick of seeing her, and his business started to falter. Contracts slipped away, partners quit, and his empire crumbled. He blamed Daisy, sued for divorce, and ensured she walked out with nothing. One swift day he put her out the door.
Three years later Oliver, sipping tea in his kitchen, mused, Shes probably living in a posh Surrey village, owned by some millionaire. He had a meeting with an investor nearby, the route passing Daisys former house. I cant believe a dull mouse can turn into a rose, he muttered, stirring his coffee.
A text pinged from Olivia, who was off on a holiday in the Maldives: Oliver, we should break up. Ive met someone else. Ill have a friend collect my things. Oliver roared, You think I paid for your trip? Youre pathetic! He typed a furious reply, lashing out with the worst insults he could muster.
Olivia, voice calm, replied, Im angry too, but Ill block you for a while. Drama doesnt suit my complexion. She hung up and vanished.
Defeated after the investor turned him down, Oliver, in a haze, drove to the upscale Surrey estate where Daisy now lived. After a halfhour of smoking and waiting, a sleek black car pulled up. Daisy answered the gate, looking bewildered as Oliver knocked three times.
What are you doing here? she asked. I just wanted to see how youre doing, Oliver grumbled. He tried to act apologetic, Ive realised a lot while you were gone. Things ended badly. Daisy laughed, Apologise? You banned me from my passion, had me work for free, cooked, cleaned, and then threw me out in a day.
Oliver pleaded, Could you at least let me in? Its awkward out here. He kicked a small stone. Daisy considered, Maybe Ill let you in just to see you squirm. Oliver stared at the spacious living room, Whos keeping you afloat? You cant expect to build stone castles on nothing. Daisy answered, I bought everything myself. She walked into the kitchen.
Dont lie, Oliver shouted, following her. Daisy placed a glass of water on the table. How how did you change so much in three years? How can you afford this lifestyle? Oliver spun the glass, bewildered.
I went back to writing, this time screenplays. I sold a few pilots to production houses. They thought my ideas were rubbish at first, but now Im one of the most recognised writers in the country. My shows run on the main channels, she said modestly.
Oliver tried to cling to his version of events. Youre here to apologise, right? Daisy sat opposite him. He murmured, The best revenge is to beat your enemy with success. A wave of fury crashed over him againhis split with Olivia, the failed investor, Daisys meteoric rise. He needed an outlet.
You were a drab mouse, talentless, without a flat. All that youve achieved is thanks to me. Half of your money belongs to me, Oliver whispered, halfheartedly. Daisy smiled, The only thing you taught me was how shady people can be. She stood, pointing to the door, Youll get nothing from me.
Youll open the safe and hand over the cash now, Oliver lunged, grabbing Daisys elbow and dragging her toward the lounge. Let go, it hurts! she screamed. Oliver, eyes wild, shouted, A grey mouse stays grey! He grabbed a log from the fireplace, advancing menacingly.
Daisy, still calm, replied, Lonely women keep cats, but I have dogs. She rubbed her elbow, eyes twinkling. Ive got Biscuit and Rex waiting. Two massive Dobermans appeared, sniffing the polished floor, tongues lolling.
Biscuit, Rex, you thieves! Daisy shouted. Oliver froze, saliva dripping from the dogs jaws onto the marble. He tried to flee, but the hallway was a deadend. The scene turned chaotic, police sirens wailed, and officers swarmed in, cuffing Oliver. He was handed a suspended sentence and a lifetime ban from Daisys life.
Today Daisy lives happily, reportedly married to a talented director and expecting a child. They say every successful woman has a man who broke her heart, and the sweetest revenge is proving you can thrive without him. Whether thats true or not, one things clear: if you truly believe in yourself, nothing can stop you.
