Unbelievable
She couldn't believe her eyes as she saw the photographs. How could he do this to her? And with that woman, of all people? She fell down to the floor, on her knees, trying to catch her breath. It felt like a nightmare.
But after a while, she started to think more clearly. The damage was done. Now, there was only one thing on her mind; no sorrow, no grief: just revenge. And she had a plan for it.
A Seemingly Perfect Life
For an outside viewer, Emma Robinson had everything a woman could ask for. She lived in a large, beautiful house in New York City with her husband, Dominic.
She had an accomplished career as a manager for a construction company, while her husband was a surgeon in one of the city's hospitals. They had been married for seven years now and together for almost twelve. Up until that point, things had been perfect for them. But all that glitters is not gold.
Worries
Emma believed the couple was already set in life and ready to conceive their first child. She felt there was no point in building a stable and loving household if they couldn't share it with their kids.
But Dominic felt otherwise. He argued that he was still waiting for the big promotion that would make him chief of surgery: he still had to focus on his career before bringing any children to the world. However, there was a reason why Emma thought differently.
The Clock Was Ticking
She was already 33 years old. She was well aware that her chances of conceiving a healthy child were getting slimmer and slimmer every day. But her husband didn't seem to want to hear about it.
Still, Emma kept waiting and hoping. Perhaps when he finally got that promotion… But one day, she started noticing some signs that let her know that maybe there was something else going on.
Suspicious Stains
One day, as she was doing the laundry, Emma noticed some suspicious stains on Dominic's clothes. Immediately, she feared the worst. But could it be true? Could Dominic really do that to her?
She tried to tell herself that it was probably just her imagination and insecurities talking. But one day, when she told a friend about it over a cup of coffee, she said something that completely blew her mind.
Friend’s Advice
"You should never dismiss what your gut is trying to tell you," her friend said. "I could give you the number of a private detective if you want to be sure. He did a job for my aunt a while ago, found out her husband had a lover."
Emma nervously laughed at her friend's suggestion. "I don't think we need to go all cinematic here." But she insisted on giving her his card, and Emma put it in her purse.
An Unexpected Encounter
As she walked back home, Emma was thinking about her friend's suggestion. "I don't think I need to go that far," she thought to herself.
Besides, Dominic's birthday was tomorrow, and she didn't want to taint the celebration with her suspicions and insecurities. While pondering all this, she suddenly heard someone calling her name. It was someone she could have never expected to run into that day.
Her Ex-Boyfriend
She would have recognized that dark hair and deep eyes anywhere. It was Rick, her ex-boyfriend from college! Emma's face and mood instantly lightened up. "Rick! How have you been? What are you even doing here?"
"I just got promoted! The company transferred me to a branch here in the city. What have you been up to?" Right then, a million possibilities of what to say ran through Emma's mind. But this is what she replied:
What Did She Say?
"Eh, you know, just the usual. Work is going alright, and I'm living in the suburbs now." She also caught herself saying something that just came straight out of her mouth before she could think about it.
"We could go for a coffee and catch up sometime!". Rick seemed a bit surprised by this: she knew Emma was married. However, he was glad to accept. "Sure!" he said with a smile. But back home, she had other things to worry about: Dominic's birthday party.
Dominic’s Plans
Dominic intended to host a party in their house, inviting all his friends and colleagues. But when she got home, Emma was hit with the news: he had made some additional plans.
"Honey, the hospital staff has booked a bar for us to have some drinks after the party at home. I can't miss it, I have to be there. But don't worry, I won't stay very long." He assured, seeing the disappointment in Emma's expression. Right then, Emma knew something was fishy. Now she knew what to do.
Emma’s Decision
She called and hired the private investigator that same night. She couldn't help but feel that her husband's story about an after-party was just a pretext.
And the next day, she continued to notice strange signs right from the beginning of Dominic's birthday party at home. The first person to arrive at the house was a long-legged brunette that Emma didn't know. However, she seemed to be suspiciously friendly with Dominic during the whole party.
Who Was She?
For the whole time, even when Emma was taking care of the guests and going back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room, Dominic stayed in the company of the mysterious brunette, joking and giggling. Later, Emma learned that she was Dominic's boss' wife.
And after the party was finished and all the hospital staff, including the enigmatic woman, went to the bar, Emma was left alone. She had a bad feeling that Dominic would not return home early like he said he would. And after a few hours, she received a message on her phone.
It Was The Detective
It was from the private investigator! He had sent her pictures of Dominic and his boss' wife getting into a hotel. Other photos clearly showed what was going on between them behind the glasses of one of the room's windows.
Emma felt an unbearable pain taking all over her. Now she knew her suspicions were true. Slowly, she felt her pain turning into anger for all the time and worries wasted on that man. Now she knew what to do. She had a plan for vengeance.
Emma’s Payback
She opened Dominic's work laptop and emailed the photos to all his coworkers, not forgetting his boss' the husband of the woman he was having an affair with.
After that, she thought of another thing she could do. She hesitated for a minute. Should she? But after some minutes of deliberation, she picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Coup De Grace
"Hey, Rick! How are you doing? I know it's a bit late, but would you like to go out for some drinks tonight? By the way, I just left my husband," she said with an air of triumph.
Rick was pleased to accept. Emma hung up the phone and started looking for that old fancy dress she used to wear in college, looking forward to a night out.