When Gina and her husband, Brendan, decided to end their marriage, Gina thought a weekend away at her parents’ house would give her a break from the chaos. But when she returned, her world was turned upside down—literally. All her belongings were spread across the front lawn.
However, fortune was on her side, and amidst the mess, she found something incredibly valuable to Brendan. What followed was a perfectly sweet moment of revenge.
Once Brendan and I decided to separate, he turned into a stranger—bitter, hostile, and resentful.
“You’re really going to complain about me? About how I talk?” Brendan’s voice boomed through the house.
“All I’m saying is, calm down. Yelling isn’t going to fix anything,” I replied, rubbing my temples as a headache started to build.
“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.
The process of dividing our belongings was agonizing, with Brendan becoming even more unbearable. We couldn’t pack without arguing.
“I’ll take care of the books,” he grumbled, shuffling through the shelves.
“You’ll just mix my stuff with yours,” I shot back, crossing my arms.
“Fine. Do it yourself then,” he snapped.
The stress was overwhelming, so I decided to spend the weekend at my parents’ house to clear my head.
“You’re running back to your parents, huh? Typical,” Brendan sneered as I packed.
“They’re better company than you,” I retorted, slamming the door behind me.
The weekend turned out to be just what I needed. Mom pampered me with delicious home-cooked meals, and Dad provided 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 added, “If your heart is telling you to let go, then follow it.”
I spent the weekend walking Pippy, my parents’ dog, reflecting on the fresh start ahead. By Monday, I felt more grounded and ready to face reality.
But when I pulled into the driveway, I was stunned. All my furniture—my cherished belongings from my grandmother’s rocking chair to my beloved flea market finds—was scattered across the lawn. A large, hand-painted sign read “Free Stuff!” 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 anyone to take them.
I immediately called Brendan, my hands trembling. “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. Sure, 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. As I stared at my belongings, frustration boiling over, I kicked over the bedside table I had repainted just months ago. It toppled over, and I heard a faint jingling sound. Curious, I crouched down and opened the drawer.
There, hidden among loose change and old receipts, was Brendan’s most treasured possession—his father’s watch, an heirloom passed down through generations. He loved it so much he rarely wore it, afraid of losing it.
A grin spread across my face. “Checkmate,” I muttered, slipping the watch into my pocket. Brendan had unwittingly 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 flip when he realizes it’s gone,” I said, savoring the sweet taste of revenge.
That evening, my phone buzzed. It was Brendan. “Hey, Gina. I think I left something important behind. Can I come by and get 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 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 face 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 a strange sense of closure. Brendan might have made the split ugly, but I got the last word—and the satisfaction that came with it.
