Deception, betrayal, and a well-thought-out revenge plot are important themes in my novel.
Before I discovered my husband’s internet misadventures, I believed I knew him. Little did he know that his little secret would turn out to be the key to my freedom.
The day a friend gave me a link to my husband’s Tinder page, I felt sick to my stomach. My husband of ten years, Dexter, swayed left and right like a teenager while pretending to be single. I felt betrayed, angry, and confused all at once.
Days passed and my rage was calculated and cold. I realized I couldn’t just walk up to him and pick a fight. That wouldn’t solve anything, especially after years of taking care of the household and our children while I was unemployed and without a source of income.
I needed a strategy. I decided to create a fake Tinder profile with pictures of any old woman. She will be Leah. The setup was easy, but finding Dexter’s profile took a long time and was stressful.
When his profile finally appeared, he was smiling, the same smile that had won my heart before. I took a deep breath before swiping to the right. Fortunately, we clicked right away.
GO FOR IT!
The first thing to do was to establish a relationship. I was fully aware of Dexter’s interests, including his secret passion for 80’s pop music, his favorite whiskey (Glenfiddich), and his favorite movie (“The Godfather”). I used Leah’s profile to create a character that would interest him by reflecting on my hobbies.
In my bio, I showed how much I adore “The Godfather” and added a photo of Leah with a glass of Glenfiddich. I knew how to lure him in. As soon as we talked, he took the bait. During our conversations, we discussed life and flirting in depth.
“Wow, do you love ‘The Godfather’ too?” Dexter sent a message. “It’s my favorite movie of all time.
I replied to Leah, “Yes, it is a masterpiece!
My favorite drink to sip while watching is Glenfiddich. what about you
“Identical here,” was his reply. “Nothing beats a good movie and a great whiskey.”
He hadn’t spoken to me in years, but he confided in Leah about his anxieties and dreams.
One night he said, “I feel like I’m stuck in a rut sometimes.” “I have all these plans, but I can’t seem to make them happen.
By writing, “I’m here for you,” or “You can talk to me about anything.”
Every night when he wrote to Leah, I would sit on the couch next to him and pretend I was looking at my phone. Living in one house and keeping so many secrets was strange. I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye and watched him smile at his phone, fully engrossed in his texts with Leah.
We talked every day for a few weeks before I realized he was addicted. The second phase had just begun, gaining his trust. I started spinning stories about unexpected health care expenses and sudden car repairs alluding to financial difficulties.
Over the next few days, I used Leah’s account to tell Dexter stories of despair. He wanted to be her shining knight and was ready to help her. He quickly started moving money into the account I opened.
“Leah, I want you to never feel alone.
One day he was sitting right next to me and wrote to Leah, “You can always count on me.”
“Remember, I’m only a message away.
I didn’t identify Dexter as Phoebe; I recognized him as Leah. I knew I had to keep playing even though it hurt.
With each sob story, I told him, he became more determined to save this makeup artist.
It was exciting but exhausting living this double life. Every day I took on the role of a loving wife, making breakfast for our kids and talking to Dexter about his day at work.
I was Leah, the helpless girl with him tangled in her fingers, and I changed every night. “Dex, I don’t know how to thank you enough,” I said in the message. “You’ve been my rock through it all.
“I just want to see you happy,” he said in return.
“I’ll do whatever it takes.”
I watched as his shame and infatuation caused him to fall deeper into the trap. He had no idea what was going on beneath the surface; he just waited for Leah’s messages on his phone, which he checked the whole time.
Raising the stakes was the main objective of the third step. Now that I had his trust, I began to make more elaborate demands with my elaborate narrative, playing on his desire to be a hero. One evening I contacted him as Leah and said, “Dex, I don’t know what to do. The cost of fixing my broken-down car is way beyond my means. If I can’t get to work, I’m afraid I’ll lose my job.”
“Don’t worry, Leah,” was his almost immediate reply. I’ll see to it. What is the required amount?
With bated breath, I wrote back, “about $1,500.”
He said, “Consider it done,” and a few minutes later the funds were transferred to my account.
With each transaction, I got closer to my goal. I asked for help with both rent and “emergency” medical care for a sick family member. Convinced he was the hero Leah needed, Dexter was happy to help. Little did he know that he was providing the money for my escape.
Because he was preoccupied with his extramarital affair, I methodically prepared to leave. I moved into a new apartment, scheduled babysitting, and carefully packed our essentials.
I made sure I had enough evidence of his financial misdeeds and infidelity every day to defend myself in case he tried to rebut anything later. I recorded several of our conversations where he discussed his “real feelings” for Leah, kept copies of our bank statements, and even took screenshots of our chats.
One evening he wrote, “Leah, I feel like I can be honest with you.” “I’ve never felt this way before. No one else can truly understand me like you do.”
“I’m glad you feel that way,” I said, my heart pounding. “I care about you so much, Dex.
“I care about you too,” he replied.
“Sometimes I imagine what it would be like to be with you in person. As crazy as it sounds, I believe I could fall in love with you.”
As I read his confession, I felt a mixture of satisfaction and anger. I recorded the call because I knew it would come in handy later. Little did he know that his honest messages would decide his death.
The final stage was publishing my strategy. I was aware of the ideal approach. In the last message I sent him using a fictitious account, I scheduled a meeting at a fancy restaurant.
“Dex, it seems like we’ve been friends for ages. I believe our face-to-face meeting is long overdue. How about dinner at The Grand this Friday at 8 pm?”
In an instant, he answered, “Leah, I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’ll be there.”
On the day of the meeting, I experienced a mixture of fear and excitement. That was it.
I looked my best, wearing a black dress that Dexter claimed was his favorite – simple yet sophisticated. I wanted to look my best when I went to face him. I arrived at The Grand a little early and sat at a quiet corner table with a good view of the entrance.
I sat there watching the clock as eight o’clock approached and ordered a glass of wine.
Dexter finally entered, looking around eagerly. A few years ago I got him a suit for our anniversary and played in it. Thoughtfully nervous, yet excited, he had no idea what was about to happen.
I stood up and walked over to him as he looked around the room. “Dexter,” I said in a firm voice.
He turned around and his shocked eyes widened.
“Phoebe? Why are you in this place?”
“I could ask you the same question,” I said, pointing to the folder. “But I think you know.
His face was a mixture of surprise and horror as he looked at the folder. “What is it?”
I led him to the table where I was sitting and said, “Let’s sit down.” He looked stunned as he followed.
I sat us down and placed the file in front of him. I said, “Open it.”
He opened the folder and began to look through its contents with shaky hands.
There were screenshots of our chats, evidence of his adultery, and an extensive inventory of all the money he transferred from Leah’s account to mine. His face turned white as he realized he had been tricked.
I quietly remarked, “I knew it all along,” as I watched him. “I used it as a means of revenge and to protect my freedom. The funds you transferred to your ‘lover’ will help the children and I will start a new life without you.”
When he looked at me, his eyes were full of anger and shame. “Phoebe, I can explain-“
“No need to explain,” I cut him off.
I was betrayed by you, Dexter. You promised me things and you betrayed me. Now you will pay the price.”
He parted his lips in protest but closed them again when he saw that the facts could not be denied. Nothing he said changed the situation or disrupted what he did.
When I stood up, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “Dexter, I’m leaving. Don’t look for us and don’t believe you can argue with anything. I can’t assure you because I have all the evidence I need.”
He sat there in shock as I left the restaurant. When I said goodbye to him, I had a strange feeling of relief and liberation. When I moved into our new house that evening, I took the kids with me. With the money saved, we were fine and could start over.
The new location was perfect for us; it was modest but comfortable. When I told the kids it was a new adventure, they were a little confused at first. They seemed excited about their new quarters and I was relieved that we were out of Dexter’s trap and safe.
Over the next few days, I got used to our new life. I started looking for a job and had the children enrolled in a new school. At this point, we felt safe with the money Dexter had inadvertently given us. I notice that I smile more and feel lighter than I have in a long time.
“Mom, are we going to be okay?” my daughter asked as I was putting the kids to bed one evening. I kissed her forehead with a smile. “Yes, dear. We won’t encounter any problems.”
Later, while enjoying a cup of tea in the living room, I remembered everything that had happened. Revenge is best served cold, as Dexter discovered the hard way. Even if he just walked into my trap, he thought he was cheating. I am now financially stable, independent, and ready to move on without him.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember that sometimes outsmarting the person who wronged you is the best way to get revenge. It wasn’t just about getting even with me; it was also about regaining control of my life and making sure that I and my children had a better future. That’s exactly what I ended up doing.
Zoe discovers a surprising truth about her husband Martin the same way Phoebe found her husband’s online dating site.
Until one rainy day, she discovered a hidden folder on his laptop and realized she was going to spy on him. To read the full story, click this link.
Although romanticized for artistic purposes, this work draws inspiration from real individuals and events. Names, characters, and details have been changed for privacy and story enhancement. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The publisher and author disclaim all responsibility for any misinterpretation and make no claims as to the veracity of the events or portrayal of the characters. This narrative is given “as is”, with the views of the characters being their own and not those of the publisher or author.
Phoebe’s journey of revenge and liberation is a powerful testament to the resilience and cunning that can emerge in the face of betrayal. By turning Dexter’s own deception against him, she not only regained control of her life but secured a future for herself and her children. Careful planning and execution of her strategy allowed her to escape a marriage built on lies and find freedom on her own terms.
Ultimately, Phoebe’s actions serve as a reminder that revenge, when carefully considered and precisely executed, can be a path to empowerment and new beginnings. Dexter’s downfall was not only a result of his infidelity but also a reflection of his underestimation of Phoebe’s determination and intelligence. As Phoebe embarks on this new chapter, she proves to be the epitome of strength and independence, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead with confidence and determination.