In Writing
The solemn man sat at his desk, staring at the blank page in front of him. His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he tried to find the right words.
It had to be clear and concise and leave no room for misinterpretation. After seven years of marriage, he decided it was time to end things with his wife. He had thought long and hard about it, and he was convinced that a formal letter was the best way to avoid any miscommunication.
On His Mind
As he sat there in their small house in Golden Birches, Texas, he mulled over the words he wanted to put down. He had been thinking about it for days.
Finally, he began typing, the words flowing steadily. “Dear Emma,” he wrote, “I’ve been doing some thinking, and I believe it’s time for us to go our separate ways. I’m moving in with Dianne, and I think it’s best we handle this in the most civilized way possible. I will be fair in the divorce settlement, but I want to be clear that this is final. I’ve already made up my mind.”
Can’t Go On
Forty-two-year-old Ryan Schmidt sat at the kitchen table, his hands trembling as he carefully folded the letter he had spent days perfecting. He had rehearsed the words in his mind, crafting each sentence to convey the finality of his decision without leaving room for ambiguity.
Seven years of marriage had led him to this moment—a decision he never imagined he would have to make, yet one he believed was necessary. He couldn’t bear the thought of another argument, another night of tense silence, or the lingering resentment that had come to define their relationship.
It’s Over Between Us
Ryan leaned back in his chair, reading over the letter. It felt cold, but that was the point. It was over now. He didn’t want to get into a messy back-and-forth with Emma. He knew how she was; it was why he was leaving her.
They’d been through enough, and he didn’t have the energy for any more drama. He printed the letter, signed it, and slid it into an envelope.
Running And Hiding
The guilty man dropped the letter off at the house when he knew Emma would be at work. He didn’t want any confrontation with her. He couldn’t face her directly, not yet. He needed time to settle into his new life with Dianne, her sister.
As he stood there, he felt a mix of relief and apprehension. The hard part was over, or so he thought.
Nowhere To Go
The envelope felt heavier than it should as he sealed it, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he was doing the right thing for himself. He placed it on the counter, where Emma would be sure to find it when she returned home from work.
With a deep breath, Ryan grabbed his car keys, intending to leave before she arrived, avoiding the inevitable confrontation. He couldn’t face her. Not now, not when he had already made up his mind.
A Little To Late
The cowardly husband was just about to leave the house. But fate had other plans. As Ryan reached for the door, he heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Panic surged through him as he realized that Emma had come home early.
He couldn’t leave through the back because she would still see him. His car was parked on the next street. He was stuck.
Just In Time
Emma came home that evening, finding the envelope on the kitchen counter. The sight of Ryan’s handwriting immediately made her heart sink.
She tore it open, her hands trembling as she read his words. Moving in with Dianne? How could he? A thousand emotions surged through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. She needed to think clearly.
Inside The House
The exhausted wife didn’t expect to come home to a divorce letter. She never thought that Ryan would leave her. She sat down at the dining table, her mind racing. Emma had always known that something was off between Ryan and Dianne, but she never imagined it would come to this.
The betrayal cut deep, but she wasn’t going to let it break her. She grabbed her phone and sent a simple text to Ryan, asking him where he was.
Being Quiet
A guilty Ryan was hiding in the house, looking for the perfect moment to escape without being seen. But his loud cell phone alert gave him away. There was no time to escape, no time to rethink his decision. He froze, his mind racing for a way out, but it was too late.
The door creaked open, and Emma stepped inside, her cheerful greeting dying on her lips as she spotted Ryan standing in the hallway.
Caught Out
The angry wife stared at her husband. “Ryan?” Emma’s voice wavered with surprise. “What are you still doing at home?” Ryan’s mouth went dry. “I... I wasn’t feeling well,” he lied, forcing a weak smile. He tried to walk past her.
Emma frowned, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. Why was he avoiding the elephant in the room? “You don’t look sick. What’s going on?” she tried to get him to talk.
Playing Along
Before Ryan could respond, Emma’s gaze shifted to the envelope on the counter. She was going to make the first move. Her brow furrowed as she walked over to it, her fingers hovering above the letter as if she could sense the weight of its contents.
Ryan’s heart thudded in his chest, his palms slick with sweat as he watched her pick it up. He couldn’t avoid it now.
Tell Me
Emma wanted to put Ryan under pressure. “What’s this?” Emma asked, her tone cautious. “Emma, wait—” Ryan began, but the words stuck in his throat. He tried to back away from her, he knew things may get violent.
Emma tore open the envelope, unfolding the letter with a mixture of curiosity and dread. As her eyes scanned the neatly typed words, her expression shifted from confusion to shock, then to a deep, painful hurt that cut through Ryan like a knife.
Don’t Run
She raised her voice. “You’re... you’re ending our marriage?” Emma’s voice cracked, disbelief coloring her words. “Through a letter?” Ryan struggled to find his voice. “I thought it would be easier this way. I didn’t want to hurt you more by arguing.”
“Easier?” Emma’s voice rose, trembling with emotion. “You think this is easier? You think writing a letter to tell me you’re leaving is less harmful than facing me and telling me to my face?”
Don’t Hide
Ryan winced at the accusation in her tone. “I didn’t know how else to do it, Emma. We’ve been fighting for so long... I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
Emma shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “So, you took the coward’s way out? After seven years, this is how you end it? With a piece of paper?” Emma threw the paper at Ryan and walked off. She always caused a tantrum and expected him to run behind her. But today he wouldn’t.
To My Face
The silence in the room was deafening as Ryan struggled to find the right words, but there was none that could justify what he had done. Emma’s tears flowed freely now, her hurt and anger taking over.
“You didn’t even give us a chance to talk about it,” Emma continued, her voice thick with emotion. “You just decided it was over without even considering how I feel. Do I mean that little to you?” “Of course not,” Ryan protested, his voice barely above a whisper. “I just thought... I thought this was the best way.”
A Selfish Man
The disgruntled wife continued shouting. “For who, Ryan?” Emma snapped, her anger flaring. “For you? Because it sure as hell isn’t for me.” Ryan looked away, unable to meet her gaze. “I didn’t want to fight anymore,” he said weakly. He tried to edge toward the front door.
Emma let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Well, congratulations. You’ve managed to avoid a fight. But you’ve also destroyed any respect I had left for you.”
How Could You
Ryan flinched, the weight of her words sinking in. He had thought he was avoiding pain, but in reality, he had only multiplied it. Emma’s voice grew quieter, the anger giving way to a deep, aching sorrow.
“After everything we’ve been through, this is how it ends,” Emma whispered, her shoulders sagging in defeat. “I never imagined it would come to this.” Ryan’s chest tightened as he watched her crumble before him. He had thought he was doing the right thing, but seeing the devastation in Emma’s eyes made him realize how wrong he had been.
My Mother Was Right About You
Ryan didn’t know what to say anymore. “Emma, I—” “Save it, Ryan,” Emma interrupted, her voice hardening. “There’s nothing you can say that will make this right. You made your choice.”
She turned away, her back to him as she tried to compose herself. Ryan took a hesitant step forward, but Emma’s words stopped him cold.
Get Out
Emma put her hand up stopping Ryan from coming forward. “I’m not the one who needs to leave, Ryan. You are.” Ryan felt his stomach drop. He had expected anger, maybe even relief, but not this—this cold, final dismissal. He had lost her, and now he had to face the consequences of his actions.
Without another word, Ryan turned and walked out of the house, the door closing softly behind him. The silence that followed was suffocating, the weight of his decision pressing down on him with every step he took.
Alone
Inside, Emma collapsed onto the couch, the letter clutched tightly in her hands. She couldn’t believe it. The man she had shared her life with for seven years had ended it all with a few typed words. The shock of it all left her numb, her mind reeling as she tried to process what had just happened.
Ryan had thought he could avoid pain by writing a letter, but in doing so, he had only ensured that the pain would cut deeper, and last longer. And now, as he stood alone outside the home they had built together, he realized the full extent of his mistake.
Being Stronger
Emma’s tears finally stopped, replaced by a cold, steely resolve. She would move on from this. She had to. But she would never forget the lesson Ryan had taught her—that sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones you fight alone.
And as the sun set on the day that had shattered her world, Emma knew one thing for certain: she would never let herself be blindsided like this again.
Cheated On
A distraught Emma couldn’t get any sleep that night. She felt stupid and naïve. What was wrong with her? Her eyes scanned the words, disbelief growing with each line. He was leaving her. For Dianne, of all people. Her own sister.
Emma’s grip tightened on the phone as she read the final lines, her breath coming in shallow gasps. How long had this been going on? How could she have been so blind?
The Last Say
She had to have the last word. Without hesitation, she typed out a reply, her fingers trembling with rage and hurt. “I already knew,” she wrote simply before hitting send. The words felt like a hollow victory, but they were all she could muster at the moment. Ryan’s phone buzzed, and when he saw the message, his heart skipped a beat.
He hadn’t expected such a calm response. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. He replied with a single word: “How?”
Will He Apologize
Ryan’s phone buzzed almost immediately after he sent the email. He glanced at the screen, his heart dropping when he saw Emma’s response. How could she have known? Panic set in as he tried to remember if he’d slipped up, or left any clues behind. But he was always so careful.
“I’m not stupid, Ryan,” Emma replied. “I’ve known for a while.” There was a long pause before she sent another message: “You’ll get what you deserve.”
It Hurts
Ryan stared at the screen, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He hadn’t planned for this. He thought that he was the only one who knew his secret. He thought Emma would be devastated, maybe even try to win him back, but this cold, calculated response was unnerving.
He tried to shrug it off, convincing himself that Emma was just putting on a brave face. But he had no idea what he was in for.
No Looking Back
The next few days passed in a blur for Ryan. Emma made things difficult for him, and she refused to see him or talk to him. He moved his things out of the house and into Dianne’s apartment, all the while feeling a gnawing sense of unease.
Emma hadn’t called or texted since that initial message, and that silence weighed heavily on him. What was she up to? Ryan braced himself for what was about to happen.
Doubt Creeps In
As Ryan sat in Dianne's apartment, the silence between them stretched longer than usual. He couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest since leaving Emma's house. What was she really thinking? Was she planning something? Every time he thought of her calm message, a shiver ran down his spine.
Had he made the right decision, or had he underestimated the impact of his actions? Ryan’s mind wandered to all the things he could have done differently.
Regret Sets In
Ryan replayed their last argument in his head. Maybe he should have tried harder to communicate, to fix things with Emma before it reached this point.
His decision to leave felt final, but now, sitting in Dianne’s apartment, everything felt wrong. He had expected freedom, a sense of relief, but instead, all he felt was guilt and confusion. Did Emma ever really deserve this? What if he had been too hasty?
What If?
He wondered if there was a way to salvage things, even after everything. His thoughts kept circling back to the letter—so impersonal, so cold. ‘
What if he hadn’t written it? What if he had sat down with Emma and really talked? Could things have been different? The realization struck him hard: he might have ruined something that didn’t need to end this way.
What’s Emma Thinking?
Ryan couldn’t stop wondering what Emma was feeling now. Was she heartbroken? Angry? Or, worse, indifferent? The thought of her moving on without him, without a trace of emotion, gnawed at him.
He picked up his phone more than once, tempted to call or send a message, but he stopped himself. What would he say? "I’m sorry"? Was it too late for that?
An Unexpected Void
Living with Dianne wasn’t what he had imagined. Instead of the excitement he thought he’d feel, everything felt flat. Dianne was distant, almost as if she wasn’t sure about them either.
Ryan found himself thinking about Emma constantly, about their life together, the little moments he had taken for granted. He had destroyed all of it for what?
Should I Apologize?
The thought of apologizing lingered in his mind. He wondered if Emma would even want to hear from him again. After everything, could he even make things right? Maybe not, but he felt like he owed her that much.
Yet, he didn’t know how to start. A phone call? Another letter? His stomach churned at the thought of facing her.
Dianne Notices
Dianne noticed Ryan’s distance. "You’ve been quiet," she said one evening, her tone suspicious. "Is everything okay?" Ryan hesitated, unsure how to respond. How could he tell her that he wasn’t sure about any of this anymore?
That he might have made the biggest mistake of his life? Instead, he just shrugged, saying, "I’ve just been thinking a lot."
The Realization
It hit Ryan one night as he lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Did he do the right thing? He didn’t want to hurt Emma, but that’s exactly what he ended up doing.
He had been running away, not just from his marriage, but from himself. Now, the weight of that realization was too much to bear.
Facing the Truth
Ryan sat up, running a hand through his hair. He had to face the truth. Emma was, at one point, the love of his life, but he just couldn’t anymore.
But now it was too late—and there was no undoing what he had done. What’s done is done; he had to go through it. Divorce was the only way.
The Question Lingers
As Ryan stared out the window of Dianne’s apartment, watching the rain drizzle down, one question haunted him: What could I have done differently? He had no answers. All he had was regret, and it was suffocating.
He wondered if Emma would ever forgive him, but deep down, he knew that some things could never be fixed.
It’s Done
The breakup was brutal. Then came the day of the divorce settlement. Ryan walked into the attorney’s office with Dianne by his side, his confidence bolstered by the thought of starting a new life.
He wanted half of everything—after all, he’d contributed just as much to the marriage as Emma had. But as soon as he entered the room and saw Emma sitting across the table, that confidence wavered. They had no idea what was about to hit them.
Emma’s Fury
Emma sat across from Ryan, her eyes cold and unreadable. Beneath her calm exterior, she was seething. The pain of betrayal had morphed into a burning anger, and she was determined to make Ryan pay for the way he had torn their life apart.
She wasn’t going to let him walk away with half of what they had built. No, he didn’t deserve that. She had spent days meticulously preparing for this moment, ready to give him exactly what he deserved.
A New Strategy
Ryan shifted uncomfortably in his seat as the meeting began. Emma’s lawyer laid out her terms, and Ryan’s stomach dropped. Emma wasn’t just going to fight for everything—she was going to bury him.
She wanted the house, full custody of their dog, and a financial settlement that left Ryan with almost nothing. She had also added emotional distress to the settlement, citing the affair with Dianne as grounds for compensation. Ryan glanced at Dianne, who looked just as stunned as he was.
You’ll Regret This
Emma’s eyes never left Ryan as her lawyer spoke, her expression unyielding. Ryan had expected her to be emotional, maybe even to crumble under the weight of the situation. But instead, she was cold, calculating, and utterly relentless.
“I warned you, Ryan,” Emma finally spoke, her voice low but firm. “You’ll get what you deserve.” Her words echoed in his mind, filling him with dread. This was not the woman he thought he could walk away from so easily.
Prepared
As the meeting dragged on, Ryan realized just how much Emma had prepared for this. She had gathered financial records, receipts, and evidence of his infidelity with Dianne. Every angle had been covered.
There was no escaping the consequences of his actions now. For the first time since leaving her, Ryan wished he could turn back time. But it was too late. Emma wasn’t going to show any mercy.
Determined
Ryan couldn’t ignore the fact that Emma had something up her sleeve. He felt a little nervous, but he had to steel himself.
He couldn’t show weakness. He didn’t want to seem that he was intimidated. Emma had a look of determination on her face. A look he hadn’t seen before. It was like she was out to get him.
The Legalities
A week later, Ryan and Emma met at the lawyer’s office to discuss the divorce settlement. Ryan was confident, even smug. He wanted half of everything, and he wasn’t willing to negotiate. Emma sat across from him, her expression unreadable.
The lawyer went through the usual formalities before diving into the financial details. But would Ryan agree to the terms?
Splitting It
The room was cold and tense. “I believe we should start with the assets,” the lawyer said, looking at Ryan. “You’re asking for half?” “That’s right,” Ryan replied. “I think that’s fair.”
Emma smiled faintly, a hint of something dangerous in her eyes. “I have something that might change your mind, Ryan.” Ryan frowned, glancing at her. “What do you mean?” He had no idea what his soon-to-be ex-wife was going to pull.
Look At This
Emma reached into her bag and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table to the lawyer. He looked intrigued by it. “This is a record of all the money Ryan has been siphoning into a secret account over the past three years,” she said calmly.
Ryan’s face went pale. “What are you talking about?” His face went pale as he finally realized why Emma had been so quiet the past few weeks.
Part Of His Plan
The lawyer opened the folder, his eyebrows raising as he flipped through the pages. “This… this is substantial,” he murmured. Emma leaned forward, her voice low and steady. “I’ve known about your little stash for a long time, Ryan. And I’ve also got proof that you’ve been hiding assets. If you push for half, I’ll make sure you walk away with nothing.”
She banged her hand on the table in assertion, making the timid Dianne jump. She laughed bitterly as she told him that he was going to lose everything.
How Did You Know
Ryan’s hands trembled as he reached for the folder, flipping through the damning evidence. He had been so careful, or so he thought. But Emma had outplayed him at every turn. He could feel the walls closing in, and for the first time, he realized just how badly he had underestimated her.
He looked up at her, panic in his eyes. “Emma… we don’t have to do this. We can settle this fairly.” But it was too late now.
Two Can Play That Game
Emma tilted her head slightly, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Fairly? Do you think what you’ve done is fair? You betrayed me with my own sister, and you think you deserve half of everything?”
Ryan was at a loss for words. He had never seen this side of Emma before. She was always so gentle, so forgiving. But now, she was like a different person—a person he had pushed too far. “I didn’t mean for it to go this way,” he stammered. But Emma had no time for forgiveness, she was furious.
The Last Laugh
Ryan was getting worried. “Too late,” Emma replied, standing up. “You wanted to avoid miscommunication, Ryan. Well, let me make myself clear. You’re going to sign the papers, walk away with what I give you, and never look back. If you try to fight me on this, I’ll ruin you.”
Ryan’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched Emma walk out of the room. She had the upper hand. The lawyer cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. “Mr. Schmidt, I suggest you consider your next move very carefully.”
I've Been Watching You
Ryan nodded numbly, his mind racing. He had thought he was in control, but Emma had been one step ahead of him the entire time. Now, all he could think about was her final words: “You’ll get what you deserve.” He knew that she was a determined woman who would stop at nothing to destroy him.
He didn’t know what she had planned, but the fear of it gnawed at him, leaving him paralyzed with dread. He had no idea what to expect next.
More Proof
Emma’s attorney handed over a thick envelope. “This should clear things up,” the lawyer said, his tone icy. Ryan exchanged a confused glance with Dianne before opening the envelope. What was inside this envelope?
His blood ran cold as he flipped through the photographs inside—pictures of him and Dianne, taken over the past year, each one more damning than the last.
Did You Know
Ryan's face went pale in embarrassment. “Where did you get these?” Ryan demanded, his voice shaking. Emma finally looked up, her eyes cold and unforgiving. “It doesn’t matter,” she replied. “What matters is that they’re valid in court. You won’t be getting a dime, Ryan.”
Dianne paled beside him, her hand flying to her mouth. “Emma, please—” she began, but Emma cut her off with a wave of her hand.
Watch You Back
Ryan was terrified. “I don’t want to hear it,” Emma said. “You two deserve each other. I hope you’re happy.” The rest of the settlement was a blur. Ryan tried to argue, to reason with Emma, but the evidence was too overwhelming.
By the end of the meeting, he was left with nothing—no house, no savings, not even the car he’d driven to the office. Emma had made sure of that.
Thanks To You
When it was all over, Emma stood up, her posture firm and unyielding. “You taught me a valuable lesson, Ryan,” she said, her voice steady. “Never trust someone who’s willing to betray the person closest to them.”
Ryan could only watch in stunned silence as she walked out of the room, the finality of it all sinking in. Dianne reached out to him, but he pulled away, too consumed by the reality of what he’d lost. He was left with nothing.
The Closing
In the days that followed, Ryan’s life unraveled. Dianne’s apartment, once a haven, now felt like a prison. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded of the betrayal that had cost him everything. The guilt weighed on him, a constant, crushing presence.
Emma, on the other hand, began to rebuild her life. The first few weeks were hard, the betrayal cutting deep, but she refused to let it define her. She moved into a new apartment, started focusing on her career, and slowly began to heal.
No Regrets
One afternoon, as she was sorting through old photos, she came across a picture of her and Ryan, taken on their wedding day. They looked so happy, so full of hope for the future. A pang of sadness hit her, but it was fleeting.
She was young and in love, it was a mistake. But she learned her lesson. She realized that she no longer felt the same sting of betrayal—just a sense of closure.
Full Of Hate
Ryan, on the other hand, spiraled into a pit of regret. He reached out to Emma multiple times, begging for forgiveness, for a second chance, but she never responded. He knew she didn’t deserve it, and deep down, he knew she had moved on. But he was living in regret.
The final blow came when he received a letter from Emma’s attorney. It was a cease-and-desist order, demanding that he stop contacting her. The message was clear: she was done with him.
Moving On
As the months passed, Ryan’s relationship with Dianne deteriorated. She was only after his money and started cheating on him soon after the divorce was final. The guilt and shame became too much to bear, and eventually, they went their separate ways.
Alone and with nothing left, Ryan realized the gravity of his mistake. He had lost everything—his marriage, his home, his dignity—all because of a moment of weakness.
The Divorce
One evening, as he sat alone in a dingy apartment, Ryan picked up his phone and stared at Emma’s number.
His thumb hovered over the call button, but he couldn’t bring himself to press it. He knew it was too late. The lesson Emma had taught him would stay with him for the rest of his life: betrayal has consequences, and some mistakes can never be undone.