Her eyes widened slightly. Custody hearing? Oh, you haven’t heard? Amanda’s parents are going through some legal issues. I’m just trying to help sort out the paperwork.
I sighed dramatically. It’s such a mess when families fall apart. I left the daycare knowing that within hours, the staff would be gossiping about Amanda’s family drama.
Word would spread to other parents, creating another circle of people who knew the truth about Samuel and Heather. Tuesday brought the social media phase of my campaign. I’d been careful not to post anything directly that would look vindictive and desperate.
Instead, I’d been liking and commenting on posts from friends who’d attended my dinner party. When Jennifer posted a vague status about being shocked by people you thought you knew, I commented, Sometimes the people closest to us are the best at hiding their true selves. Thank you for your support during this difficult time.
When Grace shared an article about infidelity statistics, I added, So true. The betrayal is bad enough, but the lies that go with it are what really destroy trust. Each comment was carefully crafted to seem supportive and grateful rather than bitter.
But they served their purpose, keeping the story alive in people’s minds, ensuring that Samuel and Heather’s reputation continued to crumble. Wednesday morning, Mildred called with the news I’d been waiting for. DNA results are in.
Samuel is definitely Amanda’s father. The child support agency is moving immediately to garnish his wages and seize assets. What about his business partnership with David? That’s where things get interesting.
David’s been calling me all morning. Apparently, Samuel’s partnership agreement has a morality clause. David wants him out, but he’s worried about the legal implications.
I smiled. David had been Samuel’s business partner for five years. They’d built their architectural firm together.
And it was Samuel’s primary source of income. David forced him out. What did you tell David? That he should consult his own lawyer.
But between you and me, I think Samuel’s about to lose more than just his marriage. That afternoon, I received an unexpected visitor. Heather stood on my doorstep, looking haggard and desperate.
Amanda wasn’t with her. We need to talk, she said. I considered slamming the door in her face, but curiosity won.
Five minutes. She followed me into the living room, perching nervously on the edge of the couch where she’d sat so many times before as my friend. You have to stop this, she said without preamble.
Samuel’s lost his job, his accounts are frozen, and now David’s talking about dissolving their partnership. You’re destroying him. I’m not destroying him, I replied calmly.
I’m just making sure people know who he really is. Amanda needs her father. If you ruin him completely, how is he supposed to support her? The irony was breathtaking.
Amanda needed her father three years ago. Where was your concern then? Heather’s eyes filled with tears. I know we hurt you.
I know what we did was wrong. But Amanda is innocent in all this. You’re right.
Amanda is innocent. Which is why she deserves better than parents who are liars and cheaters. Samuel wants to leave his wife for me.
Heather burst out. He was going to tell you everything after your anniversary. We had it all planned out.
I stared at her. You’re lying. I’m not.
He loves me, Teresa. He loves Amanda. He only stayed with you because he felt guilty.
The words hit like physical blows but I kept my expression neutral. If that’s true then I did him a favor by finding out first. Now he’s free to be with you without the burden of guilt.
Heather’s face crumpled. You don’t understand. My job is in jeopardy.
People are talking. Amanda’s daycare is asking questions. You’re not just hurting Samuel.
You’re hurting us too. Good, I said simply. She stared at me like I’d slapped her.
This isn’t you, Teresa. You’re not cruel. You’re right.
The old Teresa wasn’t cruel. The old Teresa was trusting and naive and stupid enough to believe her best friend and husband were good people. But that Teresa is gone.
I stood up, signaling that our conversation was over. You have two minutes left. Heather stood too, desperation making her voice shrill.
What do you want? Money? An apology? What will it take for you to stop this? I want you to suffer, I said quietly. I want you to lose everything just like I did. I want you to know what it feels like to have your life destroyed by people you trusted.
We never meant. Get out. My voice was ice.
And don’t come back. After she left, I poured myself a glass of wine and sat in my garden, thinking about what she’d said. Samuel had been planning to leave me anyway.
Their betrayal wasn’t just about sex or even love. It was about my complete replacement. The knowledge should have hurt more but instead, it just made me more determined to see this through to the end.
Thursday brought the final domino. David called me personally, something he’d never done before. Teresa, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you something about Samuel.
What do you want to know? Is it true that he’s been using company resources for personal expenses? I’ve been going through our books and there are some irregularities. I smiled. Samuel had been sloppy, mixing his business and personal finances.
I couldn’t say for certain, David. You’d have to ask Samuel about that. I’m asking you because Samuel’s not exactly trustworthy right now.
David’s voice was strained. If he’s been embezzling from the company, I’d suggest you hire a forensic accountant, I said helpfully. They’re very good at finding financial irregularities.
After I hung up, I felt a deep satisfaction. Samuel hadn’t just been stealing from our marriage. He’d been stealing from his business partner too.
David would find the evidence and Samuel would face criminal charges on top of everything else. Friday afternoon, Mildred called with the final update. It’s over, she said.
Samuel’s agreed to all our terms. He gets his clothes and personal effects. You get the house, the investments and most of the liquid assets.
He’s also agreed to pay you spousal support for three years. What about his business? David’s buying him out for pennies on the dollar. Samuel needs the money to pay his legal fees and back child support.
He’s essentially starting over with nothing. I closed my eyes, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. And Heather? Lost her job yesterday.
Apparently, the non-profits board decided she wasn’t a good fit for their family values mission. Perfect. That evening, I sat in my beautiful house.
My house now, and opened a bottle of champagne. Not to celebrate love this time, but to celebrate justice. My phone buzzed with one final text from Samuel.
I hope you’re happy now. I typed back. I’m getting there.
Then I blocked his number and deleted every photo of him from my phone. The morning sun streamed through the windows of my home office as I put the finishing touches on my latest project. I’d started a consulting business helping other women navigate divorce proceedings.
And it was thriving. Apparently, there were a lot of women who needed someone who understood betrayal and knew how to fight back. My doorbell rang and I opened it to find a delivery man with a large bouquet of flowers.
Teresa Giovanni? That’s me. The card was from my newest client, a woman whose husband had been embezzling from their joint business to fund his gambling addiction. Thank you for helping me get my life back.
It read. I smiled, arranging the flowers in a vase. Helping other women reclaim their power had become my passion.
Each case was different, but the satisfaction of watching cheaters face consequences never got old. My phone rang. Mildred’s name appeared on the screen.