I Came Back From My Business Trip Earlier Than Expected. I Didn’t Tell Anyone I Was Returning...

I came back from my business trip earlier than expected I didn't tell anyone I was returning I wanted to surprise Miguel when I arrived on our street I saw several cars parked in front of our house the garden was decorated with blue and pink balloons a banner read welcome our little miracle I parked my car a street away and walked over the door was slightly open music and laughter spilled from inside when I stepped in I froze in the middle of the living room Carmen my best friend was visibly 6 months pregnant my mother in-law

Rosa was gently stroking her belly while my mother served drinks gifts were stacked on a decorated table so is the nursery ready my aunt Elena asked almost Carmen replied Miguel insisted on painting it himself he's been working on it every weekend at that moment my husband walked in carrying more drinks he approached Carmen and hugged her from behind placing his hands on her belly we just need to set up the crib we picked it out together last week I watched as my mother stiffened upon seeing me she quickly walked over Anna we weren't expecting you

today she whispered grabbing my arm let's go outside we need to talk I pulled away from her grasp talk about what about how my husband got my best friend pregnant while I was working in another country by chatter in the room died down Carmen was the first to notice me her face turned pale Miguel stood Frozen his hands still on her belly Anna he began don't you dare I cut him off how long have you been cheating on me no one answered my father standing in a corner couldn't even look me in the eye I

can explain Carmen said taking a step forward we didn't want you to find out like this oh and how were you planning to tell me after the baby was born or when they turned 18 my mother-in-law stepped in Anna please think about the baby Carmen doesn't need this stress in her condition her condition I let out a humorless laugh the same condition I was in two years ago when I lost my baby where was your concern then Rosa the silence that followed was deafening my mother tried again honey I know this is difficult difficult for

whom for me who worked non-stop for 9 months while my husband was sleeping with my best friend or for all of you who had to keep up the charade Miguel finally stepped away from Carmen Anna can we talk privately don't make a scene a scene no Miguel a scene would be telling everyone how you convinced me to take that overseas job how you said we needed the money to start our family I turned to Carmen did he tell you that or did he say he was lonely and abandoned while his cruel wife chased her career

Carmen started crying it wasn't like that we didn't plan this of course not I suppose you just tripped and fell pregnant by my husband these things happen right the guests began shifting uncomfortably some grabbed there bags ready to leave my father finally spoke up Anna calm down you're upset upset no Dad I'm perfectly calm in fact I'm grateful my mother frowned confused grateful yes because now I see everyone for who they really are my husband the liar my best friend the traitor and my family the cowards who chose to protect this lie instead of me

I walked over to the gift table and grabbed one at random this one's yours mom you bought a nice gift for your son-in-law's mistress's baby Anna please my mother pleaded I tore the wrapping paper open it was a white baby outfit with blue details how thoughtful I hope you kept the receipt Miguel stepped forward trying to take the gift from my hands enough Anna you're making a fool of yourself making a fool of myself no Miguel you did that all on your own getting my best friend pregnant while I was paying all the bills my

mother in-law stood up outraged this is too much Miguel was just looking for the happiness you couldn't give him always busy always working you're right Rosa I was too busy working working to pay the mortgage on the house where your son was sleeping with my friend I looked around the room every familiar face now looked like that of a stranger you know what you can keep the house the furniture the gifts but Miguel I suggest you get a good job because you won't have access to my money anymore what are you talking about he asked

turning pale I'm talking about how while I was overseas I wasn't just working I was also Consulting a lawyer I have proof of every penny I spent on this house on you on our marriage I walked out of that house without looking back my hands were shaking my breathing was erratic but I refused to break down in front of them they didn't deserve to see my tears I walked away ignoring the Curious stares from the neighbors who had probably heard every word of the scene that had just unfolded I got into my car and slammed

the door shut my hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my fingers turned white white my vision was blurred but I refused to cry I started the engine and just drove no destination no Direction just getting away from that nightmare my phone was flooded with messages missed calls from my mother texts from Miguel even Carmen please Anna we need to talk this wasn't supposed to happen this way you don't understand the whole situation oh I understood I understood perfectly I understood that while I was working to support my home my family my marriage they

were together I understood that every time Miguel called me saying he missed me it was a blatant lie I understood that every time Carmen said she was busy and couldn't talk it was because she was busy with him a bitter taste filled my mouth disgust disgust at myself for not seeing it sooner after driving for a while I pulled into the parking lot of a random Hotel I needed a place to breathe I wasn't going back to that house that house that now stood as a monument to my humiliation I walked to the front desk

and booked a room for a few days the receptionist gave me a strange look probably because of my disheveled appearance but handed me the key without asking questions the moment I stepped inside the room I locked the door and collapsed onto the bed only then did the weight of everything crush me I curled up hugging myself and let the tears fall tears of Rage of disgust of a deep suffocating pain that squeezed my chest but I couldn't stay like this forever I had to do something the next morning I went straight to my lawyer's office

he already knew about my situation and had all the necessary documents ready to ensure that I got out of this mess with as little damage as possible I want to start the process today I said firmly divorce property division everything and I want it to be clear that Miguel won't see a single scent of my money he nodded you have more than enough evidence to contest any claim he might make the house is in your name all the expenses we covered by you he has no rights to anything I took a deep breath good then

let him find out the hard way I walked out of the office feeling an odd sense of relief for the first time in a long time I felt like I was in control of my own life my phone buzzed Miguel I ignored it minutes later a message popped up we need to talk please Anna I only responded with talk to my lawyer days passed and the calls and messages didn't stop until one afternoon while I was having coffee at a cafe near the hotel someone approached my table Miguel he looked awful deep eye bags messy

hair but I felt no sympathy Anna please he sat across from me without being invited I didn't want you to find out like that I crossed my arms oh but how did you want me to find out with an invitation to the baby shower he ran a hand over his face exhausted this isn't how I wanted things to happen I I made a mistake a mistake getting my best friend pregnant was a mistake no Miguel it was a choice you chose to sleep with her you chose to lie to me you chose to let everyone

cover for you he lowered his head I was lonely Anna you were never here you were always traveling always busy with work I let out a bitter laugh and why was I busy Miguel because I was the one paying for our damn house while you sat at home doing nothing he said nothing you want to know the most ironic part I continued I took that job because I thought we were building something together I made sacrifices thinking it was for a greater good but while I was working myself to exhaustion you were screwing my best

friend he looked at me desperate I know I messed up Anna but can't we fix this another way I leaned forward staring directly into his eyes we are fixing it my lawyer has already filed for divorce you won't get a s from me and as for that child I hope you're a good father because I want you out of my life Anna please it's over Miguel I stood up and walked away without looking back it didn't take long for the news to spread my real friends the ones who hadn't betrayed me stood by my side

and my family oh they tried to reach out my mother called me multiple times trying to justify everything we didn't want to hurt you sweetheart it was complicated for all of us you need to forgive forgive no I moved on over time I rebuilt my life I left that hotel and bought myself a new apartment I focused on my career my future and Miguel well he soon realized that life wasn't so easy without the Comfort I had provided a few weeks later I received another message can we talk I miss you I laughed deleted the

message without replying and for the first time in a long time I felt free when I finally received confirmation that Miguel had been officially served with the divorce papers I knew his real nightmare was just beginning he tried to contact me in every way possible he called me dozens of times a day sent endless messages even showed up at places he knew I frequented but I didn't answer I didn't give him a chance I refused to let him manipulate me one night as I was returning to my apartment I found my mother waiting outside Anna

we need to talk I rolled my eyes I already knew exactly what this was about we have nothing to talk about Miguel is desperate you're taking everything from him she said outraged as if I were the villain in this story I crossed my arms oh now HEK the victim honey he made a mistake but that doesn't mean you should ruin his life I let out a humorless laugh he ruined my life mom he cheated on me got my best friend pregnant and all of you covered for them and now you have the nerve to tell

me that I'm being cruel she sighed reaching for my hand but I pulled away what you're doing to him this isn't right Anna anger burned in my chest oh you want to talk about what's right was it right for me to pay for the mortgage alone while he was screwing my best friend was it right that I worked my ass off while he played the perfect husband now he gets to deal with the consequences she looked at me like I was a monster he has nowhere to go I Shrugged not my problem she shook her

head in disbelief I didn't raise you to be this way Anna and I didn't expect my own mother to take the side of a cheating bastard I turned around and walked into my building without looking back days passed and Miguel's situation only got worse since I was the one who had paid for everything he was now drowning in bills the mortgage payments were overdue and without my money to cover them he quickly spiraled into Financial ruin then then came the eviction I knew it was coming when I received confirmation that he had failed to make

any payments I made sure to personally be there to witness the moment he was forced out of my house when I arrived the place was in chaos boxes were scattered around the front yard Miguel was arguing with the officer handling the eviction Carmen Stood Beside him clutching her pregnant belly with a panicked expression Anna he shouted when he saw me you can't do this to me I crossed my arms feeling a dark sense of satisfaction Bloom inside me I can and I did this isn't fair I lived in this house no I paid for this

house you were just a parasite living in it his face turned red with frustration where the hell do you expect me to go I Shrugged not my problem Carmen looked at me as if expecting Mercy Anna please please she actually had the nerve to look me in the eyes and say please I took a step toward her oh so now you can say my name before it was just I hope she never finds out wasn't it she lowered her head it wasn't supposed to be like this but it is and now you and Miguel have

to deal with it Miguel ran his hands over his face looking exhausted you don't have a heart I tilted my head funny because you sure love that heart when it was paying all your bills he opened his mouth to argue but shut it again the officer approached time's up you need to vacate the property now Miguel's expression turned to sheer Panic he looked around realizing that he was out of options he grabbed a box and slammed it onto the ground you just want to see me destroyed don't you I leaned in closer meeting his gaze

without a trace of pity yes he clenched his jaw and stormed away Carmen trailing after him I stood there watching as he left broke homeless and Powerless in the following days my entire family turned against me my aunts called me my mother showed up at my apartment again even my father who usually stayed out of things tried to intervene Anna he's sleeping on your mother-in-law's couch don't you think this has gone too far no dad I don't Carmen is pregnant they have nothing great then Miguel can finally do what he should have done a long

time ago get a job my mother threw her hands up exasperated you're obsessed with revenge and you're obsessed with protecting a cheater they couldn't change my mind and Miguel oh Miguel was in Ruins no home no Comfort no access to the money he had leeched off me for years I heard through some mutual friends that he had started taking odd jobs to make ends meet but it wasn't enough and then the inevitable happened Miguel showed up at my apartment he looked miserable thinner with dark circles under his eyes Anna please I have nothing left I

stared at him him I know I need help I tilted my head pretending to think like I needed help when I found out you were cheating on me he closed his eyes frustrated I was an idiot I know that but I can't change the past I crossed my arms no but you sure as hell can suffer in the present his hands clenched into fists as he swallowed his pride you don't have to be this cruel oh but I do I learned from the best and with that I slammed the door in his face and for

the first time in years I felt at peace Miguel was finally exper experiencing what life was like without me and me I was finally free time passed and just as I had predicted Miguel sank even deeper no home no money no Comfort he had gone from a spoiled dependent husband to a desperate man hopping from job to job just to keep himself afloat and me I moved on I didn't feel sorry for him in fact every time I heard about another disaster in his life I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction it was a sweet

taste of justice of knowing that everything he had done to me was coming back to him and then I heard the best news I had received in months Carmen filed for divorce I found out through an acquaintance one of the few people who still dared to talk to me after everything that had happened she ran into me at a cafe hesitated for a moment then smiled slightly before dropping the bombshell she left him I blinked what Carmen she filed for divorce and she wants alimony the laugh escaped before I could stop it a loud genuine

from the gut laugh are you serious I asked still laughing dead serious Miguel can't hold a stable job and she doesn't want to be the one supporting him oh the irony was delicious Carmen the woman who had sworn Miguel was her one true love the one who clung to him like a parasite while I worked to pay for everything had now done to him exactly what he did to me left him when he was no longer useful and she wants alimony I asked still grinning yeah she claims he promised to take care of her and

now that she has a baby she needs financial support I couldn't stop laughing please tell me does Miguel even have money to pay pay her my acquaintance smirked no and I lost it Miguel hadn't just lost everything I had given him now even the woman he betrayed me for was financially screwing him over Karma had come for him and this time he had no one left to leech off of I have to see this the following week I made sure to accidentally show up at a place I knew Miguel still frequented a rundown bar we

used to go to one of the only places he could still afford he was sitting at the counter looking like a ghost of his former self thinner dark circles under his eyes his beard unkempt and of course a cheap beer in his hand I walked in slowly taking my time and sat two seats away he noticed me immediately his face tightening what do you want he muttered his voice rough and tired nothing I said picking up my own drink just enjoying the view he sighed heavily are you happy now I took a sip savoring the

moment yes very he scoffed shaking his head you think this is funny Miguel I think this is hilarious you threw our marriage away for Carmen and look at you now she left you she took whatever little you had left he ran a hand over his face clearly exhausted you don't understand oh I understand perfectly tell me how did your great love fall apart so quickly he went quiet for a long moment before staring at his Empty Glass she said she couldn't be with someone who had nothing to offer funny right that's exactly what you said

about me he shut his eyes his jaw tightening you don't get it Anna oh but I do you were only good enough for her when you were conveni venient now that you can't provide the comfortable life she wanted she threw you away like garbage he didn't argue because he couldn't I stood up ready to leave you know what's the best part you deserve every bit of this and I walked out leaving Miguel to drown in his own Misery after that day I cut off everyone connected to my past I distanced myself from my family the

hypocritical aunts who kept telling me to forgive my mother who insisted I had gone too far I owed nothing to any of them the only person I owed something to was myself and so I started over I rebuilt my life from scratch bought myself a new apartment just for me sold everything that reminded me of that pathetic chapter of my life donated some things burned others Miguel and Carmen were erased went out more met new people enjoyed life without carrying dead weight on my back for the first time in years my life was mine and

while I moved forward Miguel kept falling apart months later I heard that he had tried to appeal the divorce ruling claiming that he deserved alimony instead of course the judge laughed in his face and denied everything I also found out that Carmen kept draining whatever tiny bit of money he had left and me I had never felt better the world was finally how it should be I was free and Miguel was getting exactly what he deserved