She couldnt have changed that much! Ians jaw went slack the moment he spied his exwife.
No, that cant be her. Ill never believe Poppy could look sodifferent. He froze in front of the glossy window of a pricey restaurant on Bond Street, trying to stay out of sight.
Inside, a stylish blonde sat by the window, tapping away on a laptop. A waiter placed a glass of freshly pressed orange juice and a tart topped with raspberries and strawberries on her table.
How does she manage to look so flawless? And that glittering braceletmust have cost a fortune. Ian bit his lip, edging away so she wouldnt spot him.
***
Ian and Poppy had met six years earlier. Hed just finished university and landed a junior role at a wellknown construction firm. His career was taking off.
At an industry exhibition, Ian struck up a conversation with a pleasant girl manning a booth.
What do you say we ditch the excavators and grab a coffee? he said with a grin.
She laughed, and they fell into easy chat. Poppys quiet charm caught Ians eye straight away.
Thats the sort of girl I neednever argues, always agrees, could be the perfect, obedient wife. he mused. Shes a bit round, but a gym membership could fix that. And if she ever getsoverthetop after the kids, I could always find a sidekick. He handed her a coffee cup.
Later, on the way out, Ian teased, What are you really doing at this show?
Poppy blushed, Im a budding writer hoping to break into screenwriting.
Im just a fresh graduate trying to pay the rent, Ian replied, already dreaming of a partner who would cook, tend the house, raise the kids, and obey without question.
***
Ian bought a coffee from a kiosk across the street, perched on a bench, and kept watching Poppy. When she stepped outside again, Ian barely recognized her. She glided in a mink coat, her walk as graceful as a runway model. It was hard to imagine the shy girl hed known three years ago could transform so dramatically. Then she slipped into a sleek sports car, and Ian was left speechless.
She must have landed a rich blokeno other explanation. He gulped his hot coffee, shaking the cup as if it could keep him grounded. Meanwhile, Poppy drove off into the gloom.
That night Ian lay awake. After the breakup Poppy had blocked him on every social platform. In a fit of desperation he created a new account just to stalk her pictures.
Jealousy, envy, furyhe downed half a litre of whisky and let the full spectrum of nasty emotions wash over him.
You cant possibly look like thatwho are you now? I picked you up with nothing, no money, no flat, no looks. Where did those luxury hotel shots and designer bags come from? he muttered, eyes glued to her glossy Instagram feed. Did you lose ten stone? Are those plastic surgeries? Or do you never leave the gym? He clenched his phone, fuming.
***
The next morning a memory of a conversation with Poppy floated up.
Just nonsense, who reads this? Ian scoffed as he skimmed her latest short story.
Theres no accounting for taste, Poppy replied modestly. I already have a few admirers.
Admirers? Ian chuckled. Only the brainless buy that rubbish.
Youre angry because I have my own thing, Poppy said softly. Weve been together a year, yet you cant accept that I might have interests of my own. And you never value what matters to me. Im not critiquing your work, which you binge on day after day.
Exactly! Ian shouted. If youd actually help me with the business, Id spend far less time in the office.
Thats your idea, Ian snapped, hopping from his chair. Stop doing things that dont benefit the family. From today you stop writing and start helping me.
What? Ive got to quit writing? Poppy froze, eyes wide.
Yes, Poppy. Playtimes over. If you want to keep this marriage and improve our lifestyle, youll abandon the pointless scribbles and actually assist me. Ians tone turned venomous.
But my soul is in those stories, Poppy whispered, tears welling.
Its useless. Youre a dead weight. From now on Ill give you a daily task list and youll do it.
I dont understand any of this! Why are you taking away what matters to me? she sobbed.
Youre ungrateful. Ive supported you for a year, bought you presents, taken you on holidays. Either you help me or youre out.
Youre not forcing anyone, Ian said, pointing to the front door. If you dont like it, the exits right there.
Poppy wiped her eyes, turned off her laptop, and never wrote another story.
***
A year later Ian had amassed contacts and capital, partly from selling his late grandmothers cottage. He launched his own construction firm. From dawn till dusk Poppy handled paperwork, prepared presentations, supervised crews, and arranged meetings.
Another year passed and Ian built a plush housing estate, earning a tidy profit. He liked every aspect of his life with Poppyexcept her appearance. The endless stress and his own sweet tooth had turned her into a fastgrowing pastry lover, and she was gaining weight rapidly.
Where am I going with this piglet? Ian complained to a mate in a pub.
Yeah, thats a sorry sight, his friend replied, looking at a photo on his phone.
Time to benchwarm Poppy, then. Ian ordered a datingapp subscription on his phone. I thought Id have a side romance once she had kids, but shes turned into a proper eyesore. Disgusting.
A sporty newcomer, Olivia, swooped in on their first date and agreed to be Ians new companion, even joining him in the restroom of a swanky Mayfair restaurant. Olivia was far more demanding than Poppy.
You love how I look, dont you? she whispered sweetly in a luxury flat with a panoramic nightcity viewan apartment Ian had rented for secret rendezvous.
Of course, Ian cooed, trailing a pillow feather over her back.
First three hundred pounds should cover hair, manicure, cosmetics, gym Olivia listed her expenses. Ian, however, was too busy admiring her beauty to mind the price.
Within a month Olivia had completely displaced Poppy from his thoughts. Ian spent most evenings with the alluring brunette, barely returning home where Poppy waited with a homemade pesto pasta.
I made your favourite sauce, Poppy greeted when he finally trudged back from a weekend with Olivia. How was the business trip?
Fine, Ian grunted.
Not hungry, he muttered, grimacing.
Lets get back to work. How are the numbers? Poppy, now more a clerk than a wife, was treated harsher than any employee.
After another month, Ians business started to wobble. He was spending less time on projects, personal expenses ballooned, and contracts slipped away. He blamed Poppy for everything, divorced her in a nasty split, and made sure she walked out with nothing. He threw her out the door in a single day.
Three years later, Ian stared at a photo on his phone.
According to the geotag, shes now living in a posh suburb of Surrey, with some millionaire, he muttered, sipping his tea. Ive got a meeting with an investor nearby, might pop in to see. Its odd how a drab mouse can bloom into a rose.
A message from Olivia pinged. Ian, we should break up. Ive met someone else. I paid for your trip to the Maldives, so youll need to sort the bills.
Are you serious? I paid for the flight! Ian erupted, typing a furious reply, slinging the worst insults he could muster.
Ian, calm down. Ill block you for a whiledrama isnt good for my complexion, Olivia sang in a voice note, then hung up.
Rejected by the investor and seething, Ian drove to the upscale estate where Poppy now lived. After a few cigarettes and a halfhour wait, a sleek car pulled up to the gate.
What are you doing here? Poppy asked, bewildered, as Ian knocked three times.
Just came to see how youre doing, he blurted.
Seeing her hesitant, Ian tried a softer angle. I actually came to apologise. Ive had a lot of time to think while you werent around. It was all a mess.
Apologise? Poppy smirked. You banned me from my passion, made me work for free, cooked, cleaned, and then tossed me out in a day.
Fine, Ian, apologise away, she sighed, hugging herself.
Could you at least let me in? Feels awkward standing out here. Ian glanced at the pavement, nudging a small stone.
Maybe I will Poppys eyes twinkled with a hint of revenge. You either help me, or you can go home.
Ian ogled the spacious lounge. Whos keeping you afloat? I doubt any saint is paying the mortgage.
No one. I bought everything myself, Poppy replied, heading to the kitchen.
Lies! Ian shouted, chasing after her.
Surprised? Or do you think Im unworthy of my dreams? Poppy placed a glass of water on the table.
How could you change so much in three years? How do you afford this lifestyle? Ian swirled the water, bewildered.
I returned to writing, specifically screenplays. I sold a couple of pilots to a few production houses. They said my work wasnt rubbish. Poppy adjusted her hair, smiling. Now Im one of the countrys most recognised scriptwriters. My shows are on the main channels.
So youre here to apologise, right? Poppy sat opposite him.
The best revenge is to outshine your enemy, Ian muttered, feeling the old rage surge. The breakup with Olivia, the investors snub, Poppys meteoric riseall boiled over. He needed an outlet.
You were a dull mouse, no talent, no connections, no flat. Whatever youve achieved is thanks to memy tough love gave you a push. Ian whispered, Half of your success and money belongs to me.
Thats hardly an apology, Poppy replied, a faint grin on her lips. The only thing you gave me was a lesson in how treacherous people can be.
Youll get nothing from me, and its time you left, she said, standing and pointing to the door.
Dont you get it, you rat? Open the safe or hand over the cash, or you wont walk out alive. Ian lunged, grabbing her elbow and dragging her toward the living room.
Let go, it hurts! Poppy screamed.
The mouse must stay a mouse, Ian snarled, shoving her onto the sofa.
Tell me where the safe is, or youll never leave. He grabbed a log from the fireplace, advancing menacingly.
Single women get cats, Poppy said, rubbing her elbow, eyes glinting. But Im not like other women.
Fine, I dont care what you are. If you dont hand over half the cash, Ill smash you. He brandished the log, eyes flashing.
Its a pity youre so indifferent, Ian. Instead of cats Ive got dogsmeet Chilli and Willy. She smiled, gesturing behind Ian. Two massive Dobermans stood a metre away, eyes fixed on him, tongues lolling.
Chilli, Willy, stop him! Poppy shouted.
Ian froze, his confidence evaporating as the dogs let out low growls. He tried to back away, but only a foot was clear before the Dobermans closed in. The scene turned chaotic, with shouting, a police call, and a flurry of stitches later.
Cameras in Poppys house recorded the whole mess. Ian received a suspended sentence and never found his way back to his former life.
These days Poppy is thriving. Rumour has it shes married a talented director, is expecting a child, and is as happy as a clam.
They say every successful woman has a man who broke her heart, and the best revenge is to prove you can thrive without him. Whether thats true or just a British saying, youll have to decide. One things certain: if you truly believe in yourself, youll get there.
