On our anniversary night, I stood in my best dress, waiting for my husband. Then a cake arrived with golden lettering: “It’s time to get divorced!” An hour later, I was on a flight to uncover the truth.
Marriage suited me. It wasn’t always perfect, but I felt loved and secure with Thomas. Our first year as husband and wife had been filled with warmth, late-night conversations, and laughter over burnt pancakes on Sunday mornings.
That’s why I spent two weeks preparing for our first wedding anniversary.
Two weeks. Can you imagine?
Every detail had to be perfect. I spent hours searching endlessly for the ultimate duck à l’orange recipe, even practicing it twice to ensure it turned out right. And, of course, the gift.
I still remembered how he’d paused by the store window a few months ago, staring at that designer tie. It was one of those quick, fleeting moments men had when they saw something they liked but decided they didn’t need.
But I noticed. And I remembered.
Finally, the table was set, the candles flickered, and I stood in my best dress, feeling completely happy.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Thomas’s voice sounded… casual. “I’m already halfway to the airport.”
I frowned. “What airport?”
“There’s an emergency meeting. Clients, you know how it is…”
I closed my eyes. Breathed in. Breathed out.
“Thomas, today is our anniversary.”
“And I haven’t forgotten! I’ll make it up to you, I promise, as soon as I’m back.”
That phrase stuck in my mind. Make it up…
I looked at the beautifully set table. I pictured myself sitting there, eating alone, wearing that dress I chose just for him.
“Right. Safe flight.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Love you.”
I didn’t want to ruin my evening. Instead of sulking, I decided to take a long, luxurious bubble bath.
Just as I was sinking into the warmth, the doorbell rang. I sighed, wrapping a towel around myself and heading to the door. A delivery man stood there, holding a large white box tied with a red ribbon.
“Anna?”
I nodded.
“Special delivery,” he said, handing it over.
“Who is it from?”
“Anonymous order. Have a great evening!”
I shut the door, walked to the table, and stared at the box.
For a split second, my heart lifted.
Did Thomas at least arrange a surprise? I love surprises!
I carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside was a cake. The smell of buttercream filled the air. But it wasn’t the cake that stole my breath. It was the message written across the top in elegant golden lettering.
“It’s time to get divorced!”
My mind scrambled for an explanation.
A joke? A cruel mistake? Some kind of mix-up?
And then, I saw a small card tucked beneath the lid.
“Hope you take this as well as he did. XOXO.”
Mistress? But how…
And then my phone rang. It was Gloria. My mother-in-law. I hesitated before answering.
“Anna, darling! Happy anniversary!”
I swallowed, barely managing a muted “Thank you.”
“How do you like the ring?” she chirped. “Thomas said it was exquisite!”
My blood ran cold.
Because I never received a ring. Thomas always gave me gifts in the morning on special occasions. Always. It was his thing.
But today? Nothing.
“Oh… yes, it’s beautiful,” I lied.
“Such a shame Thomas had to leave today,” Gloria sighed dramatically. “But what a wonderful opportunity for a surprise!”
“A surprise?”
“Of course! He told me he’s staying at,” she giggled, “the same hotel where you two once stayed, remember? Oh, how romantic! I know you’re spontaneous, Anna. Buy a ticket and surprise him!”
Something inside me clicked into place.
The cake. The note. The mysterious ring I never got. That wasn’t a coincidence. Is Thomas cheating on me?
My mouth felt dry. I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying my breath.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Gloria,” I said sweetly. “I’ll book a flight right now.”
“Oh, how exciting! Can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Of course,” I said, staring at the cake one more time. “Thank you for calling.”
I ended the call and set my phone down.
For a long moment, I stood there, staring at the cake, the note, and the flickering candles, which were meant to celebrate something beautiful.
Then, without hesitation, I grabbed my purse and booked the next flight.
***
I barely reached the last flight, sprinting through the terminal with my bag slamming against my hip. The whole time, my mind raced faster than my legs.
Am I making a mistake? Am I about to walk into something I couldn’t unsee?
Exhaustion sat heavily on my shoulders by the time I landed, but adrenaline kept me upright. My hands trembled as I checked the room number—the number the kind receptionist had so helpfully provided after I quickly explained my situation and casually flashed the cake.
Room 614.
Finally, standing outside the door, my pulse pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. I took a breath. Knocked.
The door swung open, and I almost fainted.
A brunette. Gorgeous. Effortlessly styled waves of dark hair cascaded over one bare shoulder. Her silk dress clung to her like it had been custom-made for one purpose—to make a wife feel small.
Behind her, on the bed, lay Thomas’s clothes. The air left my lungs.
She leaned against the doorframe, taking her time, her lips curling into a slow, knowing smirk.
“Thomas is in the shower,” she purred, eyeing me up and down. “I’ll let him know you stopped by.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Oh? Wouldn’t want to disturb him?”
“Something like that,” I said, shifting the weight in my hands.
“You look tense. Maybe you should get a massage while you’re here. There’s a great spa downstairs.”
“Thanks for the suggestion,” I said sweetly. “But I brought my stress relief.”
And with one swift motion, I smashed the cake straight into her smug little face. A beautifully disgusting explosion of buttercream and fondant splattered across the hallway.
She shrieked, stumbling back, hands flying to her frosting-covered hair.
“WHAT THE…?! ARE YOU INSANE?!” she screeched, blinking wildly as vanilla icing dripped from her eyelashes.
“Possibly,” I admitted, stepping inside.
“You… you… psychopath!” she shrieked, grabbing a throw pillow and hurling it at me.
I dodged it effortlessly.
“I was aiming for your dignity, but it turns out you didn’t have much to begin with.”
She lunged at me, arms flailing, but her slippery, icing-coated heels betrayed her. She went sprawling onto the carpet in a spectacular, undignified heap. I stepped over her.
“Don’t forget to send me the dry-cleaning bill!”
I stormed toward the bathroom, heart pounding, ready to rip Thomas apart…
And then I stopped cold.
There, wrapped in a plush white bathrobe, sipping champagne like she was at a five-star resort, Gloria stood.
My mother-in-law. She lifted her glass in a mock toast and smirked.
“Oh,” she said lazily. “You weren’t supposed to burst in. That’s not very… you, honey.”
“What?”
“You’re always so… uncertain. I wasn’t expecting this side of you.” Her eyes roamed over my heaving chest, my wild hair, the remains of cake still smeared on my fingers. “Almost impressive for a gray little mouse like you.”
I ignored the insult.
“Where’s Thomas?”
“Oh, he’s at another hotel. Who leaves his wife alone on their anniversary? I saw an opportunity and took it.”
A slow-burning heat crawled up my spine.
“Opportunity for what?”
Gloria sighed like I was exhausting her.
“To get rid of you, sweetheart.”
“The cake…” I breathed.
She laughed, taking another slow sip.
“Oh, I baked it myself! Did you like it?”
“But why?”
“Oh, darling, you were never the right fit for my boy. But Alicia…” she gestured lazily toward the still-flailing mess in the other room, “now, she is perfect. A successful model. Beautiful. Well-connected. You two have met now… how delightful!”
“You’re insane. Thomas loves me. You will never separate us.”
“Oh, now it’s just a bit trickier,” Gloria mused. “But don’t worry. I play the long game.”
“Thomas is going to find out, and you’ll regret ruining my day.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that, dear?”
I pulled my phone from my pocket and held it up between us. Gloria froze.
“Oh,” I mused, tapping the screen. “Didn’t I mention? I called Thomas the moment I entered this room. And when I realized the suit on the bed wasn’t his? I left the line open.”
For the first time, Gloria’s smirk faltered. I pressed speakerphone. And then, Thomas’s voice boomed through the room.
“Mom, I can’t believe you! How could you?! We’ll talk later…” his voice was sharp with rage. “Anna, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Wait in the lobby.”
A flicker of panic crossed Gloria’s face. Her brilliant scheme? Crushed.
“Enjoy your evening,” I purred, heading for the door.
I paused, glancing back at Alicia, still dripping in buttercream.
“Oh, and Gloria?” I called over my shoulder. “Thanks for the cake. It looks amazing on Alicia’s face.”
And with that, I strode out like I had won the Oscars.
***
I stood in the hotel lobby, staring at my reflection in the glass doors. What a sight.
My hair was a tangled mess, my makeup smudged like I’d lost a fight with a raccoon, and there was still frosting on my sleeve. Yet, despite looking like I had barely survived a cake battle royale, I had never felt more victorious. Behind me, the elevator chimed. Hurried footsteps approached.
I turned just as Thomas stopped in front of me, breathless.
“I don’t even know what to say,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair.
“Try ‘my mother is insane’ for starters.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Anna, I had no idea…”
“Look, we can talk later. Right now? I’m starving.”
Thomas exhaled, nodded, and slipped an arm around my waist as we stepped out into the night.
Dinner was quieter than usual. By the time dessert arrived, I finally felt like I could breathe again. Then, Thomas reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Slowly, I set my fork down.
“Is this… from your mother?”
Thomas let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “No. This is actually from me.”
Inside was a stunning ring. I ran my thumb over the sparkling stone.
“My gift for you is back home.”
Thomas leaned in, smirking. “Is it another cake?”
“No. But if you ever go on a business trip on our anniversary again… Then yes. But it won’t have frosting.”
He laughed, reaching for my hand. That night, we celebrated. It wasn’t perfect. But it was ours.
I knew there would be more battles with his mother. But I had made one thing very clear that night. Crossing my boundaries wouldn’t be so easy anymore.
