My husband, Mark, was going on another ‘business trip’ to Paris and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to surprise him. We had been estranged lately, and I hoped that the romance of the city of love could reignite our spark. I bought a ticket for the same flight without telling him anything, imagining his delighted reaction when I revealed my plan.
But my dream of a romantic holiday was shattered the moment I met him at the airport. Instead of happiness, his face contorted with shock and anger. ‘What the hell are you doing here? Get out,’ he hissed.
Before I could ponder his words, a young woman appeared behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. ‘Hey, baby. Who’s that?’ – She asked, smiling at me like I was a stranger.
I froze, my heart racing. And then Mark delivered the final blow. ‘No one,’ he said coldly. No one. The word rang in my ears, piercing deeper than I could have imagined.
I stood, stunned, waiting for an explanation. But instead, Mark turned his back to me and told me to pretend I hadn’t seen anything. He walked away with her, leaving me humiliated and seething.
–
Consumed with rage and disbelief, I decided to play his game. I boarded the same plane, sitting far enough away not to be in plain sight but close enough to watch. They giggled and whispered like teenagers, oblivious to the fact that I was nearby.
As the plane climbed into the air, I thought of my plan. I wasn’t going to sit idly by while he demonstrated his infidelity to me. Revenge was already mapped out in my mind.
–
In the middle of the flight, I smilingly approached the stewardess and calmly explained my situation. She was understanding and tactful in helping me compose a handwritten note to give to Mark. It read:
*”Dear Mark.
*”Since I’m a nobody, I thought I’d be helpful.’ By the time we land in Paris, you’ll find your credit cards frozen, your suitcases confiscated at our house, and your mistress enjoying a lovely surprise from me: I’ve booked her a one-way ticket from wherever she’s coming from. Don’t bother coming home. Your things will be waiting in the driveway.
*Sincerely, Nobody.
The stewardess, amused by my boldness, handed the note right into Mark’s lap. I watched from afar as he read it, his face pale, his jaw clenched. The woman next to him peered over his shoulder, and her expression changed from curiosity to alarm. Mark was looking around the plane, clearly searching for me, but I stayed back, enjoying the chaos I’d caused myself.
–
When we landed, I calmly stepped off the plane, watching from afar as Mark frantically tried to explain to his mistress why she’d been put on another flight home. His anger boiled over when he realised he couldn’t access his credit cards and bank accounts. Meanwhile, I checked into a luxury Paris hotel, determined to save the trip for myself.
I spent the next week exploring Paris, enjoying the art, food and beauty of the city – at his expense, of course. Meanwhile, frantic calls and texts from Mark flooded my phone. I ignored every single one.
–
When I got home, I filed for divorce. My lawyer made sure Mark’s betrayal didn’t leave me empty-handed, and I began to rebuild my life. The humiliation and heartache I’d experienced at the airport was replaced by a sense of elation. I turned the situation around and came out of it stronger.
As for Mark, from what I heard, his ‘mistress’ didn’t stay with him once the money ran out. I guess karma had the final say.
