After Gina and her husband Brendan decided to split, she took a break from the tension by staying with her parents for the weekend. However, when she returned, she found all of her belongings dumped on the lawn. To her surprise, Gina discovered a priceless item belonging to her ex-husband. Read on as she gets her revenge…
When Brendan and I decided to end our marriage, he quickly changed. The man I once knew, the one I had spent years with, was gone.
In his place stood someone bitter and resentful.
“You’re complaining about my behavior?” Brendan shouted.
“I’m just saying you need to calm down,” I responded, trying to keep my composure.
“Oh, please, Gina,” he yelled louder. “You made me this way! Your constant complaints and demands. Just go live your life!”
So, I did.
During the divorce process, we tried to go through our things and make a clean break.
“Let me just pack these up, Gina,” Brendan said one day as he went through my bookshelf.
“No, I need to handle my things,” I replied.
“Fine,” he muttered.
But things only worsened, and the emotional rollercoaster was taking its toll. So, I decided to spend the weekend with my parents to clear my head.
“Yeah, run away to your parents,” Brendan said sarcastically as I packed.
“They’re better than you,” I snapped, walking out.
And honestly, it was exactly what I needed. It gave me space to process everything and come to terms with the fact that I was going to be alone for the first time in twelve years. I couldn’t quite see my future yet, but I knew this was necessary.
I also wanted my parents to pamper me.
“Oh, Gina,” my mom said, setting down a tray of roast lamb. “All you need to do is eat and relax. Whatever you want, just tell me.”
I let out a slow breath. I was where I needed to be.
“Are you sure divorce is the right choice?” my dad asked at dinner.
“Yes,” I said quietly. “If we were ever going to reconcile, it should have happened a long time ago. Brendan and I just can’t see eye-to-eye anymore.”
“You do what’s best for you, sweetheart,” my mom said, giving me a warm smile. “If a clean break is what you need, that’s what you should do.”
I took long walks with my parents’ dog, Pippy, just to clear my mind and breathe.
“You’re doing the right thing,” I told myself. “There’s nothing wrong with a fresh start.”
But when I pulled into our driveway on Monday morning, expecting to find Brendan and his things gone, I was met with a shocking sight.
All of my furniture—everything from before and during my time with Brendan—was scattered across the lawn. A large, hand-painted sign that said “Free Stuff!” was planted proudly in front, inviting strangers to take my belongings.
“What the hell is this?” I muttered, slamming the car door.
I couldn’t believe it. My coffee table, my flea market couch, even my grandmother’s rocking chair—all just sitting there, exposed to the sun.
I kicked the sign flat and dialed Brendan. He picked up after three rings.
“Hey, what’s up, Gina?” he answered casually, almost smugly.
“What’s up? Why is all my furniture on the lawn? Are you out of your mind?”
There was a pause before he responded.
“You were going to sue me for all my money anyway,” he said coldly. “I heard you on the phone, planning to take everything, or at least half. Now you get to see how it feels to lose what’s yours.”
I was speechless.
Yes, I’d thought about taking my share of his money, but spending the weekend with my parents had made me realize that wasn’t the way to go.
“You’re unbelievable,” I finally managed to say. “You really think this will fix anything? You’re just making things worse for yourself.”
He scoffed.
“Whatever. It’s your problem now. Maybe you should charge people for your stuff instead of letting them take it for free.”
I was furious, but I knew yelling wouldn’t help. Brendan had made up his mind, and no amount of reasoning would change it.
I hung up, staring at my belongings scattered across the lawn. There was no way I could move it all back inside alone. Frustrated, I kicked the bedside table I had repainted.
As it hit the ground, I heard something jingle.
“What now?” I muttered, crouching down to open the drawer.
Inside, I found something that made me smirk despite my anger.
“Stupid Brendan,” I said, seeing his father’s heirloom watch tucked away in the drawer.
This priceless watch, which Brendan cherished but never wore, had somehow slipped through his hands.
“Checkmate,” I whispered to myself.
I felt a surge of satisfaction as I tucked the watch into my pocket. After all, he had put it out there for free. I wasn’t stealing it.
Then I texted my friends, asking them to come help me bring everything back inside.
“Brendan is the worst,” my friend Jenny said as she carried a lamp. “This is a new low.”
“Yeah, but don’t worry,” I said. “I’ve got a way to get back at him.”
I told her about the watch and how I’d tucked it safely away in my car. I knew it was just a matter of time before Brendan realized it was missing.
Later that evening, while I was moving furniture, my phone buzzed. It was Brendan.
“Hey, Gina,” he said. “I think I left something important behind. Can I come by and grab it?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said casually, grabbing a slice of pizza. “The neighbors came over and took a few things. The bedside tables are gone, too. Maybe Cathy will sell them back to you if you’re polite enough.”
There was a long pause.
“Gina, it’s my dad’s watch. My granddad’s watch. I really need it back,” he said, sounding desperate.
I let the silence linger before responding.
“Sure, it’s with Cathy. But I’m sure she’ll be reasonable. You know, for the right price.”
He knew I was bluffing, but there was no way he could prove it, and I wasn’t going to let him off easy. He had to fight for it.
“How much?” he asked, clearly frustrated.
“How much do you think it’s worth?” I asked. “A few hundred?”
“Fine,” he said, gritting his teeth. “Just get it back.”
“I’ll do my best, but no promises.”
The next morning, Brendan showed up while I was sitting on the porch with coffee.
“Here,” he said, handing me an envelope. “$500. But you know how priceless it is.”
I nodded, taking the envelope. “Thanks. You can go now.”
“I’ll get in touch with you about the divorce. My lawyer has some things to discuss.”
“Cool,” I replied, uninterested.
Brendan gave me a double-take, but took the watch from me, walking away slowly as if wanting to say something but couldn’t.
What would you have done?
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