My Wife Keeps the Home Running While I’m Here with You, My Love

My wife is taking care of the house while Im here with you, love.
An unknown caller rang me, and I heard my husbands voice say: “My wife is cooking and scrubbing the loo while Im here with you, darling.”

When my husband told me he had to attend a work party, I didnt think twice. But then I got a call that left me frozen. What I heard on the phone made me grab my car keysI was ready to confront him, and by morning, pack his things.

After ten years of marriage, I thought I knew James like the back of my hand. But last week, I learned that not even a decade together shields you from betrayalor the satisfaction of karma striking at just the right moment.

It all started innocently enough.

On Thursday evening, James strolled through the door humming, an unusual spring in his step.

“Brilliant news!” he announced. “Tomorrow night, the companys throwing a do. Employees only.”

He kissed my forehead and dropped his briefcase by the sofa.

“Bound to be dull, love. No need for you to bother coming. Just a lot of shop talk and spreadsheets.”

I raised an eyebrow.

James was never one for parties. His idea of fun was watching golf on telly. But I shrugged.

“Fine by me,” I said, already thinking about the next days chores.

The next morning, he was sweeter than usual. Too sweet.

As I fixed breakfast, James came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and whispered,

“You know youre amazing, dont you?”

I laughed. “Whats brought this on? Trying to earn brownie points?”

“Maybe,” he replied, handing me his favourite white shirtthe one with that annoyingly loose button.

“Could you iron this for me? Oh, and while Im out, how about making my favourite lasagne? Extra cheese. You know how I like it.”

“Anything else, your highness?” I teased.

“Actually yes,” he grinned. “Could you clean the bathroom? You know I like everything spotless. And you never know when we might have guests”

I rolled my eyes but chuckled.

James had his quirks, and though his requests sounded high-maintenance, I didnt think much of it. If only Id known

That day, I threw myself into housework.

The vacuum roared, the washing machine churned, and the house filled with the smell of lasagne. In the background, my cleaning playlist played, and for a moment, life felt normal.

Then the phone rang.

Unknown number.

I nearly ignored it, but something made me answer.

“Hello?”

At first, all I heard was loud music and muffled laughter. I frowned, thinking it was a prank.

But then I heard Jamess voice.

“My wife?” he said, laughing. “Shes probably cooking or scrubbing the loo. So predictable. And here I am, with you, darling.”

A woman giggled in the background.

My stomach lurched.

I stood frozen, the phone pressed to my ear, as my world tilted.

The call dropped.

Seconds later, a text arrivedjust an address.

No explanation. Just the location.

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding.

Maybe it was a mistake. A joke. But deep down, I knew it wasnt.

I didnt cry. Not yet.

Instead, I grabbed my coat, snatched the car keys, and drove straight to the address.

The lasagne could wait.

James was in for the shock of his life.

The GPS led me to a swanky Airbnb on the other side of town.

The place was massive, with gleaming windows and a manicured garden. Outside the garage, a row of pricey cars. Through the glass doors, I saw people laughing, drinking, living it up.

My stomach twisted at the sight of familiar faces.

Whod be more stunnedJames or me? I was about to find out.

As I approached the entrance, a bouncer stepped forward.

“Can I help you, maam?”

I forced a smile. “Yes, just dropping something off for my husband.”

The bouncer eyed me suspiciously, especially when he noticed the cleaning bucket in my hand. Inside were a toilet brush and a bottle of bleach.

“Tall bloke, white shirt,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

The bouncer hesitated but, deciding I wasnt a threat, stepped aside.

The moment I walked in, every head turned.

And there was James.

He was in the middle of the room, his arm around a woman in a tight red dress.

He looked more alive than Id seen him in years, laughing, sipping champagne, like nothing mattered.

My chest tightened.

Every part of me wanted to lunge at him, but a voice in my head whispered, “Be smarter. Make it count.”

James saw me.

The colour drained from his face. He choked on his drink and stumbled back.

“Emily?” he stammered, peeling himself away from the woman beside him. “Whatwhat are you doing here?”

“Hello, darling,” I said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You forgot something at home.”

James blinked, confused.

I held up the bucket, showing him the toilet brush and bleach.

“Since you love talking about my cleaning skills, thought you might need these to tidy up the mess youve made of our marriage.”

A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.

The woman in red edged away from James, clearly uncomfortable.

But I wasnt done.

“You know,” I said to the room, “James likes to play the doting husband at home. But as you can see, hed rather play house with whoever strokes his ego.”

“Emily, please,” James hissed, desperate. “Can we talk outside?”

“Oh, now you want privacy?” I shot back. “Where was that concern when you were mocking me behind my back?”

I turned to the crowd.

“Enjoy the party. And rememberonce a cheat, always a cheat.”

With that, I dumped the bucket at his feet and walked out, my heels clicking on the marble floor.

Back in the car, my phone rang again.

Same unknown number.

The text read:

“You deserved to know the truth. Im sorry it had to happen this way.”

My hands shook as I dialled the number.

A woman answered.

“Hello?”

“Who is this?” I demanded.

“My names Olivia,” she said after a pause. “I work with James.”

“Why did you do this?”

“Because someone had to,” she sighed. “Ive watched him lie and cheat for months. It made me sick. You didnt deserve that.”

I swallowed hard.

“I had a friend call you so you could hear it for yourself. You needed to know.”

I closed my eyes for a second.

I didnt feel anger. I felt relief.

The next morning, James found his suitcases by the door.

When he tried to come in, the locks had been changed.

I dont knowor carewhere he spent the night.

On his phone, the only message from me:

“Enjoy.”

And for the first time in years, I smiled.

Not out of spite.

But because, finally, my life was back in my hands.