When Gina and her husband, Brendan, decided to part ways, she sought a brief escape from the chaos by spending a weekend at her parents’ home.
Little did she know, upon returning, she would find her life turned upside down—quite literally—when all her belongings were strewn across the front lawn. But luck was on Gina’s side, and among the mess, she stumbled upon something invaluable to her ex. What followed was a perfect moment of sweet revenge.
After Brendan and I agreed to separate, the man I once knew vanished. He morphed into someone unrecognizable—bitter, hostile, and full of resentment.
“You’re really going to complain about me? About the way I talk?” Brendan yelled, his voice echoing through the house.
“All I’m saying is, calm down. Yelling isn’t helping,” I replied, massaging my temples as another headache crept in.
“Don’t you dare ‘calm down’ me, Gina! You did this! With your endless complaints and ridiculous demands. Just go live your own life.”
And so, I did.
As we began the painful process of dividing our belongings, Brendan became even more insufferable. We couldn’t even pack without bickering.
“I’ll take care of the books,” he muttered while rummaging through the shelves.
“You’ll just mix my stuff with yours,” I countered, crossing my arms.
“Fine. Do it yourself then,” he snapped.
The stress was suffocating, so I decided to spend the weekend at my parents’ house to clear my mind.
“You’re running back to your parents, huh? Typical,” Brendan sneered as I packed.
“They’re better company than you,” I shot back, slamming the door behind me.
The weekend was exactly what I needed. Mom pampered me with home-cooked meals, and Dad offered his quiet support. “Are you sure about the divorce?” he asked gently one evening.
“Yes,” I sighed. “Brendan and I haven’t been on the same page for years. There’s no love left.”
Mom chimed in, “If your heart is telling you to let go, then follow it.”
I spent the weekend walking my parents’ dog, Pippy, reflecting on the fresh start ahead of me. By Monday, I felt more grounded and ready to face the reality of my situation.
But when I pulled into the driveway, I was greeted with a shock. All my furniture—everything I had collected over the years, from my grandmother’s rocking chair to my beloved flea market finds—was scattered across the lawn. A large, hand-painted sign reading “Free Stuff!” stood proudly amidst the chaos.
“What the hell?” I muttered, slamming the car door shut. My coffee table, couch, and family heirlooms were baking in the sun, waiting for random passersby to claim them.
I immediately called Brendan, my hands shaking. “Why is all my stuff on the lawn?” I demanded.
“Oh, that,” he replied, smugly. “You were going to take me for everything in the divorce, right? Now you know what it feels like to lose something important.”
I was speechless. Yes, I had thought about fighting for what I deserved in the divorce, but this? This was spiteful beyond belief.
“You’re unbelievable,” I finally said. “You think this solves anything? You’re just digging yourself a deeper hole.”
He laughed. “Whatever. Maybe charge people for it instead of giving it away for free.”
I hung up, too exhausted to argue anymore. As I stared at my belongings, frustration bubbling over, I kicked the bedside table that I had repainted just months ago. It toppled over, and I heard a small jingling sound. Curious, I crouched down and opened the drawer.
There, tucked among loose change and old receipts, was Brendan’s most prized possession—his father’s watch, an heirloom passed down through generations. He cherished it so much he rarely wore it, terrified of losing it.
A grin spread across my face. “Checkmate,” I muttered, slipping the watch into my pocket. Brendan had unknowingly left it behind, and now, I held all the cards.
I texted a few friends to help me move my things back inside. As we worked, I confided in Jenny about the watch. “Brendan’s going to freak when he realizes it’s gone,” I said, feeling a small, satisfying flicker of revenge.
That evening, my phone buzzed. It was Brendan. “Hey, Gina. I think I left something important behind. Can I come by and grab it?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I replied casually, enjoying a slice of pizza. “The neighbors took a few things. Maybe you should check with Cathy. She might have what you’re looking for.”
“Gina, it’s my dad’s watch. I need it back.”
I let the silence hang for a moment before answering. “Oh, the watch? Well, you might want to see if Cathy will sell it back to you—for the right price.”
He knew I was bluffing, but there was nothing he could do. The next morning, he showed up with $500 in an envelope, his expression a mix of desperation and regret.
“Here,” he said, handing me the money. “You win.”
“Thanks. You can go now,” I said, handing him the watch.
As he walked away, I felt an odd sense of closure. Brendan may have made the split ugly, but I got the last word—and the satisfaction that came with it.
