When I found myself locked out of my own home, I knew my marriage was over. What my cheating husband didn’t know was that I was about to teach him a lesson he’d never forget.

Jason had been distant for months, making excuses, staying late at work, and barely acknowledging me when he was home. I kept telling myself it was just a rough patch, that every marriage had them. But the night of my birthday, reality hit me hard.

I had set up a small celebration for myself—two candles on a cake I’d bought during my lunch break, a quiet dinner at home. Jason had promised to be there by six. By nine, he finally walked in, dropping his keys on the counter without even looking at me.

“Work was crazy, Alice,” he sighed as he loosened his tie. “What do you want me to do? Tell my boss I need to leave early?”