My husband and his lover changed the locks while I was at work, but they didnt know what was coming.
I stood at the door of my own home in York, clutching a key that no longer fit the new lock, feeling my heart shatter. The marriage Id fought so hard to save had crumbled in an instant. But my unfaithful husband and his mistress had no idea the lesson I was about to teach themone theyd never forget.
James, its nearly ten, my voice trembled when I called him the night before. You promised youd be home by seven.
He tossed his keys onto the side table without looking at me.
Work, Eleanor. What do you want me to tell my bloody boss? That I have to rush home to my wife? His tone dripped with irritation, as if I were some nuisance.
I swallowed hard, staring at the table Id set for a simple birthday dinner. Two candles flickered beside the cake Id bought on my lunch break.
Yes, James. Thats exactly what you could do. Just once, I crossed my arms, holding back tears. Today is my birthday.
Finally, he glanced at the table. His face twisted when he realised.
Blast it, Eleanor, I forgot he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Clearly, I replied coldly, the ache inside me suffocating.
Dont start, he shot back. I work for us, you know that.
I gave a bitter smile.
For us? I echoed. Youre barely home, James. When was the last time we had dinner together? Watched a film? Spoke like husband and wife?
Thats unfair, he frowned. Im building a career so we have a future.
What future? We live like strangers under the same roof! My voice cracked. I earn more than you, so dont hide behind providing for the family.
His face hardened.
Right, you were bound to bring that up, he sneered. How am I supposed to keep up with my brilliant wife?
Thats not what I meant
Enough, Eleanor. Im going to bed, he cut me off and walked away, leaving me alone with the cold cake and burnt-out candles.
I blew them out, whispering to myself that things would get better. He was my husband. I loved him. Marriages have rough patches, dont they?
How wrong I was to forgive him so easily.
Wed been married three years, but the last one had been a slow, painful unravelling. We had no childrenand looking back, I thanked fate for that. My job as a marketing director brought in most of our income, while James, a sales executive, constantly complained about stress, long hours, traffic everything but the truth, which I discovered far too late.
Three weeks after my ruined birthday, I came home early with a splitting headache. All I wanted was a painkiller and my bed. But as I reached our house on the outskirts of York, something felt off. The doorknob and lock, once brass, now gleamed with shiny new metal.
What? I murmured, sliding my key in. It wouldnt turn.
I tried again, but the key jammed. Confused, I checked the address. No mistakethis was my home.
Then I spotted a note stuck to the door. Jamess familiar handwriting hit me like a punch: This isnt your home anymore. Find somewhere else.
The world spun. My blood turned to ice.
What the hell? I choked out.
I banged on the door, shouting his name. Finally, it opened. James stood there, and behind hima woman in my cashmere dressing gown, a gift from my mother.
Seriously? My voice shook with rage and hurt.
Eleanor, listen, he crossed his arms, smirking. Ive moved on. Anna and I are together now. We need this place. Go stay with someone.
Anna. The same just a work colleague hed talked about for months. She stepped forward, hands on hips, and sneered:
Your things are boxed up in the garage. Take them and go.
I stared at them, unable to believe it. Then I turned on my heel and walked to the car, determination burning inside me. They thought they could toss me aside and win. But I wasnt done.
I needed a plan. A ruthless one.
And I knew exactly who to call.
Eleanor? Good Lord, whats happened? My sister Charlotte flung open her flat door, saw my tear-streaked face, and pulled me inside. Whats wrong?
I collapsed onto her sofa, the story pouring out between sobs.
That absolute bastard! Charlotte hissed when I finished. And that Anna woman was wearing your dressing gown?
Mums gift, I sniffed, wiping my eyes. The cashmere one, from last birthday.
Charlotte marched to the kitchen and returned with two glasses of wine.
Drink, she ordered. Then well figure out how to ruin them.
What can I do? I took a sip. The house is in Jamess name. The mortgage was under his credit because mine was still recovering from my masters.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
And who paid for everything else?
Both of us, but I paused, realising. I bought everything. The furniture, the appliances, the bathroom renovation last year. All in my name.
Exactly! She grinned slyly. Whats James got left? An empty house?
I opened my banking app and scrolled through transactions.
Ive got all the receipts. I always managed the bills.
Of course you did, Miss Organised, she laughed. Queen of spreadsheets!
For the first time that horrible day, I felt control returning.
They think theyve won, dont they? I whispered.
Charlotte clinked her glass against mine.
Theyve no idea who theyre dealing with.
The next morning, I called my solicitor friend, Margaret.
What he did is illegal, she said after a sip of tea. He cant change the locks and throw you out, even if the house is in his name. Youve got rights.
I dont want to go back, I said firmly. But I want whats mine.
Margaret smiled.
Then lets make a list.
We spent the morning cataloguing everything Id bought for the house: the sofa, the telly, the fridge, even the rugs. By noon, I had a detailed recorddates, receipts, amounts.
Impressive, Margaret nodded. With this, no one can deny its yours.
So I can take it all?
Legally, yes. But Id advise bringing a constable to avoid accusations of trespass.
I remembered Jamess smug grin, Anna in my dressing gown, their confidence.
No, I said slowly. Ive got a better idea.
That same day, I rang a removal company. The owner, Simon, listened to my story and nodded in sympathy.
Had a similar case last year, he said.
The next morning, while James and Anna were out for coffee, the movers arrived with my old key. They took every last fork Id bought with my wages, leaving the house so empty even the echoes vanished into the walls.
