As I rummaged through my husband’s closet two days before Christmas, I stumbled upon a red gift box. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that it contained a diamond necklace – one that I had been eyeing for months. However, my excitement quickly turned into heartbreak as I saw the attached tag that read “Love you, Julie!” My name is not Julie.
The signs were all there – late nights at work, unexplained absences, and his phone lighting up at odd hours. But seeing that name on the tag confirmed my suspicions of my husband’s affair. Instead of succumbing to the pain and humiliation, I felt a surge of determination and a plan started to form in my mind.
I called my crafty friend from college, Mark, and asked for his help. I needed him to help me rig the gift box with a small surprise for Julie that would make this Christmas unforgettable. Mark was hesitant at first, thinking that this was some sort of hunting prank. But as I explained my plan to him, he couldn’t resist the opportunity to help me get my revenge on my cheating husband.
With Mark’s help, we rigged the box to release an explosion of green paint the moment it was opened. I returned the box to where I found it in my husband’s closet and waited. On Christmas morning, as my husband grabbed the box and claimed to have an “emergency meeting” at the office, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Don’t work too hard,” I said sweetly.
I followed him to our favorite restaurant, Honey Bunz, where I saw him with Julie. She was everything I wasn’t – polished, blonde, and dressed in designer clothes. I watched as Jimmy slid into the booth and handed her the glittering box.
“Oh my God, Jimmy! You shouldn’t have!” Julie squealed, causing other diners to turn and stare.
“Anything for you, sweetheart,” he replied, grinning smugly.
As she opened the box, I counted down under my breath. “Three… two… one…”
SPLAT! A burst of vibrant green paint erupted from the box, covering Julie, Jimmy, and half of the table. Julie screamed and jumped out of her seat.
“My dress! My hair! What is this?” she cried.
Jimmy stammered, “I… I don’t know…”
“You don’t know? You gave me a booby-trapped gift?” Julie screamed, drawing even more attention from the packed restaurant. Diners laughed and took pictures.
An elderly woman at a nearby table chuckled. “Best Christmas show I’ve seen in years.”
“Julie, I didn’t-” Jimmy tried to explain, but she cut him off.
“We’re done!” she shouted, storming out and leaving a trail of green paint behind her.
When Jimmy arrived home, still dripping with green paint, I greeted him with mock concern. “What happened? You look like the Grinch.”
“Kids with paint balloons,” he muttered weakly.
“Oh no, on Christmas?” I handed him an envelope. “By the way, this came for you.”
He opened it to find divorce papers inside. His face fell. “Alina, wait-”
“Wait for what? Another lie? Another excuse?” I pulled out the diamond necklace from my pocket. “By the way, I kept this. Julie doesn’t deserve it, and neither do you.”
“Alina, please,” he begged. “It wasn’t serious. She means nothing.”
“Jimmy, a mistake is forgetting an anniversary. Buying your mistress a diamond necklace is a choice. And I’m done with you.”
As I walked out the door, I left him with one last line: “Oh, and Jimmy? Green really isn’t your color.”
The aftermath? The restaurant incident went viral, earning Jimmy the nickname “Green Christmas Cheater.” Julie dumped him on the spot, and he became infamous on dating apps as “the guy with the green paint fiasco.”
As for me, I’ve moved on. That diamond necklace looks stunning with everything I wear, and every time I catch its sparkle, I’m reminded of the day I gave myself the best Christmas gift of all: freedom. I may have lost a cheating husband, but I gained my independence and a great story to tell.