On our anniversary night, I was happy in my best dress, waiting for my husband. Then a cake arrived with golden lettering: “It’s time to get divorced!” An hour later, I found a way to uncover the truth.
Marriage changed me. It wasn’t always perfect, but I felt loved and secure with Thomas.
That’s why I spent two weeks preparing for our first wedding anniversary.
Two weeks. Can you depict?
Every detail had to be perfect.
The table was set, the candles flickered, and I was happy in my best dress.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Thomas’s voice sounded… casual. “I’m already halfway to the airport.”
I frowned. “What airport?”
“There’s an emergency meeting. Clients, you know how it is…”
“Thomas, today is our anniversary.”
“And I haven’t forgotten! I’ll make it up to you, I promise, as soon as I’m back.”
That phrase stuck in my mind. Make it up…
I looked at the beautifully set table. I pictured myself sitting there, eating alone, wearing that dress I chose just for him.
“Right. Safe flight.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Love you.”
Just as I was sinking into the warmth, the doorbell rang. A delivery man stood there, holding a large white box tied with a red ribbon.
“Anna?”
I nodded.
“Special delivery,” he said, handing it over.
“Who is it from?”
“Anonymous order. Have a great evening!”
I shut the door, walked to the table, and stared at the box.
For a split second, my heart lifted.
Did Thomas organize a surprise? I love surprises!
I carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was a cake. It was the message written across the top in elegant golden lettering.
“It’s time to get divorced!”
A joke? A cruel mistake? Some kind of mix-up?
And then, I saw a small card tucked beneath the lid.
“Hope you take this as well as he did. XOXO.”
Mistress? But how…
And then my phone rang. It was Gloria. My mother-in-law. I hesitated before answering.
“Anna, darling! Happy anniversary!”
I swallowed, barely managing a muted “Thank you.”
“How do you like the ring?” she chirped. “Thomas said it was exquisite!”
Because I never received a ring.
“Oh… yes, it’s beautiful,” I lied.
“Such a shame Thomas had to leave today,” Gloria sighed dramatically. “But what a wonderful opportunity for a surprise!”
“A surprise?”
“Of course! He told me he’s staying at,” she giggled, “the same hotel where you two once stayed, remember? Oh, how romantic! I know you’re spontaneous, Anna. Buy a ticket and surprise him!”
Something inside me opened place.
The cake. The note. The mysterious ring I never got. That wasn’t an acci.dent. Is Thomas che:ating on me?
“That’s a wonderful idea, Gloria,” I said sweetly. “I’ll book a flight right now.”
“Oh, how exciting! Can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Of course,” I said, staring at the cake one more time. “Thank you for calling.”
I ended the call and set my phone down.
Then, without hesitation, I decided to grab my purse and book the next flight.
***
Am I making a mistake? Am I about to walk into something I couldn’t unsee?
My hands trembled as I checked the room number.
Room 614.
The door swung open, and I almost nẻvous.
A brunette. Gorgeous. Effortlessly styled waves of dark hair cascaded over one bare shoulder.
Behind her, on the bed, lay Thomas’s clothes. The air left my lungs.
“Thomas is in the shower,” she purred.
“I’ll let him know you stopped by.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Oh? Wouldn’t want to disturb him?”
“Something like that,” I said.
“You look tense. Maybe you should get a massage while you’re here. There’s a great spa downstairs.”
“Thanks for the suggestion,” I said sweetly. “But I brought my stress relief.”
“WHAT THE…?! ARE YOU INSANE?!” she screeched.
“Possibly,” I admitted, stepping inside.
“You… you… psychopath!” she shrieked, grabbing a throw pillow and hurling it at me.
“I was aiming for your dignity, but it turns out you didn’t have much to begin with.”
“Don’t forget to send me the dry-cleaning bill!”
I stormed toward the bathroom, heart pounding, ready to rip Thomas apart…
And then I stopped cold.
My mother-in-law. She lifted her glass in a mock toast and bothered.
“Oh,” she said lazily. “You weren’t supposed to burst in. That’s not very… you, honey.”
“What?”
“You’re always so… uncertain. I wasn’t expecting this side of you.” Her eyes roamed over my heaving chest, my wild hair, the remains of cake still smeared on my fingers. “Almost impressive for a gray little mouse like you.”
I ignored the insult.
“Where’s Thomas?”
“Oh, he’s at another hotel. Who leaves his wife alone on their anniversary? I saw an opportunity and took it.”
“Opportunity for what?”
“To get rid of you, sweetheart.”
“The cake…” I breathed.
She laughed, taking another slow sip.
“Oh, I baked it myself! Did you like it?”
“But why?”
“Oh, darling, you were never the right fit for my boy. But Alicia…” she gestured lazily toward the still-flailing mess in the other room, “now, she is perfect. A successful model. Beautiful. Well-connected. You two have met now… how delightful!”
“You’re insane. Thomas loves me. You will never separate us.”
“Oh, now it’s just a bit trickier,” Gloria mused. “But don’t worry. I play the long game.”
“Thomas is going to find out, and you’ll regret ruining my day.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that, dear?”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and held it up between us. Gloria froze.
“Oh,” I mused, tapping the screen. “Didn’t I mention? I called Thomas the moment I entered this room. And when I realized the suit on the bed wasn’t his? I left the line open.”
“Mom, I can’t believe you! How could you?! We’ll talk later…” his voice was sharp with rage. “Anna, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Wait in the lobby.
And with that, I felt like I had won the Oscars.
I stood in the hotel lobby, beginning my reflection in the glass doors.
Dinner was quieter than usual. By the time dessert arrived, I finally felt like I could breathe again. Then, Thomas reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Slowly, I set my fork down.
“Is this… from your mother?”
“No. This is actually from me.”
Inside was a stunning ring.
“My gift for you is back home.”
Thomas leaned in, smirking. “Is it another cake?”
“No. But if you ever go on a business trip on our anniversary again… Then yes. But it won’t have frosting.”
