‘Oh, we go way back,’ I said nonchalantly.
Cassie’s gaze darted between us, confusion turning to suspicion. ‘What do you mean, ‘long time acquaintances’? How do you know each other? Dan, do you…know her?’
Dan laughed nervously. ‘Cassie, it doesn’t matter…’
‘Oh yeah, it doesn’t matter that much. He’s just my ex-husband,’ I said sharply, interrupting him.
Cassie’s face froze, and then it hit her. ‘Wait a minute,’ she said slowly. ‘That story you told at book club…the one about the wallpaper? About that bloody bloke? Is that…him?’
Her words hung in the air. And the panicked look on Dan’s face spoke for itself.
Cassie turned to him, her eyes narrowed. ‘Oh my God… was that YOU?’
‘Cassie, it’s not what you think…’ Dan pleaded.
‘It’s exactly what I think,’ she snapped back. ‘You peeled the wallpaper off the walls of your kids’ house because you bought it? Who does that?’
‘That was a long time ago,’ Dan stammered. ‘It’s no big deal.’
‘No big deal?’ hissed Cassie, jerking her hand away. ‘What about the lies? About the evil ex-wife who took your kids to another country? That she cheated on you? You’re unbelievable, Dan. You’re a liar!’
She turned to me, her expression softening. ‘I’m so sorry, Nora. I had no idea.’
Before I could respond, Cassie turned to Dan again. ‘You’re a walking red flag. I can’t believe I almost married you.’
And just like that, she was gone, leaving Dan standing there, stunned, staring at the engagement ring she’d just thrown into his hands.
He looked up at me, anger and despair on his face. I only smiled weakly and stepped back. This damage was more than enough!
In the evening, as I was putting the kids to bed, Jack asked me something that made my heart squeeze.
‘Mum, do you remember when Dad took all the wallpaper away?’
I tensed, expecting pain in his voice. Instead, he surprised me.
‘I’m glad we picked out new ones together,’ he said, smiling. ‘The dinosaurs in my room are way cooler than those old florals. Daddy can keep that wallpaper to himself!’
Emma nodded enthusiastically from her bed. ‘And my butterflies! They’re the prettiest in the world!’
I looked around at our colourful walls, now covered in the wallpaper we’d chosen together as a family of three. Walls that told our new story, not the one Dan was trying to tear out.
‘You know what?’ I said, pulling them both to me. ‘I think so too.’
I learned an important lesson that day: sometimes you don’t have to chase revenge. Just give karma a little time and it will restore justice, adding a poetic irony to it.