My Ex Refused to Spend a Penny on Our Children, Yet I Saw Him Splurging on Designer Trainers for His…

My ex never gave a penny for our children, but I caught him buying expensive trainers for his stepchildren. So, I decided to get my revenge…

There I am, walking into the shopping centre with my two kids, and I spot him. My ex-husband. The same one who hasnt paid a single pound for the children in months, always pleading financial difficulties whenever I asked for trainers for school or basic supplies.

Hes in the fanciest shoe shop in town, with his two stepchildren, fussing over pricey designer trainers for them as if hes won the lottery.

I could feel my blood boiling. Instead of making a scene, I took a deep breath and thought, He wont get away with this.

I approached slowly, holding my childrens hands, just as he was absorbed in his phone while the stepkids were trying on ridiculously expensive Nikes. The shop assistant was packing up the boxes.

Excuse me, miss, I said with my sweetest smile, Do you have these in sizes 2 and 4?

The assistant looked at me, a bit confused.

Of course. For?

For my children, I replied. Then, raising my voice just a touch, I added, My husband will pay for everything together, wont you, darling?

My exs head snapped up from his phone as if hed been struck by lightning. His eyes looked ready to pop out.

What? he started, but I was already settling my kids in to try on the trainers.

Yes, yes, hes paying for it all, I said calmly to the assistant. Were a blended family, you see? These are his stepchildren, and these are ours. He insists on treating everyone equally, dont you, dear?

My ex turned red as a beetroot. He opened his mouth to protest, but the assistant was already bringing over the boxes, and I winked at him.

They fit perfectly, miss. Well take them.

Then I spotted a stunning pair of coral running trainers on the shelf. Absolutely my style.

Oh, miss, could I have those as well in a size 5? The coral ones.

For yourself? the assistant asked.

Yes, for me, I said, slipping them on. Theyre gorgeous. And do you have those smart black ones too? I need something for work.

MORE? my ex managed to croak, almost choking.

Dont be tight, darling, I said gently. You know I need comfy shoes for work. And the trainers are for when I take the kids to the park. Ive told you before how much I need new ones.

The poor assistant, oblivious to the drama unfolding before her, just smiled and wrote everything down.

Excellent, thatll be eight pairs altogether, she said, tapping away on the calculator.

I stood up, quickly kissed my kids, and walked over to my ex.

Well, darling, Im offstill have shopping to do. The kids are staying with you, alright? Just bring them home later.

Before he could react, I took the bags with my childrens trainersAND mineand marched calmly out towards the exit, feeling like a queen.

The last thing I heard was the assistant saying, Thatll be £500. Cash or card, sir?

I only allowed myself to laugh out loud once I was in the car park. His face was priceless. I glanced at my new trainers in the bag and thought, Now thats divine justice.

That evening, when he brought the kids back home (of course, half an hour late), his expression was somewhere between outraged and resigned. The stepchildren werent with him.

What you did was he started.

What? I cut him off, eyes innocent. Making sure YOUR children also have new trainers? Dont mention it, darling. Its the least you could do.

He went quiet for a moment, then shook his head.

Eight pairs… EIGHT. And you really needed two?

You never know when comfy trainers will come in handy, love. Alsohow many months maintenance do you owe me? Consider it an advance payment.

Youre mad.

No, just tired, I replied. Theres a difference. And now, Ive got great shoes.

He turned to leave, but before getting in his car, I heard him mutter, Eight pairs itll cost me more than just paying the maintenance

Exactly, genius, I thought as I closed the door.

The kids ran up and hugged me, beaming in their new trainers. I wore my coral ones that very evening for a stroll and felt fantastic.

Was it wrong? Maybe.

Do I regret it?

Not for a second. What would you have done in my place?