When Rian left me for his boss, I was shattered. Our ten-year marriage ended abruptly, leaving me in a whirlpool of grief and anger. I had devoted my life to our family, and this betrayal felt like a knife to the heart. But, instead of wallowing in despair, I devised a plan.  Determined to confront them, I set my plan into motion, knowing they wouldn’t see it coming. Someone knocked on the door, and I knew exactly who it was: my ex-husband. I knew he would be crawling back to me after my plan had succeeded. Although he would have never come back if he knew I had caused all of his problems. “Rian?” I said as I opened the door, trying to sound as confused as I could.  “Mia… I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. It gave me the ick to see him so weak and vulnerable. He usually was this big and strong man who knew exactly what he wanted. Now, he looked small and miserable, all because of me. “Where’s Scarlett?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. Rian said nothing. It was time for the final blow.But what had I done? Why did Rian come crawling back? And what will be the final blow? I never was a cruel person. I used to see something positive in every negative and always smiled at strangers. But everything changed after my husband came home from work one day, holding divorce papers in his hand. I hadn’t seen it coming. I hadn’t even seen him at all that week! He was away on a work trip, or that was what he had told me. I later found out that he was indeed away with work, but only with one person… his boss. However, it wasn’t a work trip at all. They had gone on a week-long cruise, barely leaving their room, if you know what I mean. I was heartbroken until I found out their affair had been going on for months. After that, I only felt anger.  Our divorce was quickly finalized, probably because Rian felt guilty. He agreed to all my commands; I even got to keep the house! It made everything go very smoothly, but it didn’t take away from my need for revenge. I wanted him and his boss to feel the consequences of what they had done, but I couldn’t do this alone. Luckily, I had been very involved in my husband’s work. I had always supported him at all his events and, therefore, mingled with his colleagues. One of his colleagues had really stood out to me, and we had become friends very easily. She was now my best friend and the perfect person to help me with my plan. “I need your help,” I said as soon as she picked up the phone. “Sure, what for?” Daisy replied. She had been there for me through my divorce, making sure I was doing alright. She even told me she did her best to make Rian’s days at the office miserable. I really appreciated it, but now I needed her support in something a bit more extreme.  “I need insight on the company you’re working for. I need any information you can give me, preferably negative information,” I said, closing my eyes afterward. The other end of the line stayed eerily quiet, and I really thought Daisy would tell me I was crazy. “Alright. Give me a day or two,” she eventually said, and I almost jumped in the air from excitement. My plan would never have worked without Daisy, so I was very thankful that she agreed to help me. But I had to wait until she gave me the information I needed before I could continue. I had no idea what she was planning on doing to gather the information and hoped she wouldn’t get herself in trouble. She had a knack for going too far sometimes. After two days, Daisy showed up on my doorstep holding a folder. “What’s that?” I asked as I invited her in. “Oh, this? I stole this out of Scarlett’s office,” she said so casually that I almost didn’t register what she meant. “You stole from your boss?!” I gasped. This was exactly what I feared she would do. “Yeah, but you just HAD to see this.” I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as I took the folder from Daisy’s hands. This was a significant moment, and I could sense it. “Is it really what we need?” I asked. Daisy gave a nod, her eyes serious. My heart pounded as I carefully opened the folder, eager yet nervous about what I might find. This was the beginning of our plan coming to life. Within minutes, we were sitting in my living room, poring over the documents. “Look at this,” Daisy said, pointing at a series of financial statements. “This doesn’t add up at all.” The papers were a mess of numbers and notations that made little sense at first glance. We worked together, trying to connect the dots. It was clear that something shady was happening behind the scenes. Daisy explained how the folder contained details about some serious financial discrepancies and unethical practices within Scarlett’s company. “This is gold,” Daisy said, her voice excited. “We need to make sure everything is connected before we can move forward,” I replied. We separated the papers into piles, each representing a different aspect of the company’s malfeasance. This was more than I had hoped for. She also mentioned eye-catching photos that could easily ruin Scarlett’s career. “These alone could destroy her,” Daisy remarked, holding up a few glossy prints. I took a closer look. The images were incriminating, showing Scarlett in compromising situations with Rian. “This is exactly what we need,” I said, feeling a surge of confidence. “We can use these to bring her down for good.” It wasn’t just an affair—this was evidence that could topple Scarlett professionally and Rian by association. As we sifted through the documents, it became clear that both Scarlett and Rian were in deep trouble. The financial discrepancies alone were enough to spark a scandal, but coupled with the photos, it was a ticking time bomb. “They won’t know what hit them,” Daisy said, smirking. The information was explosive, but we had to plan carefully. Daisy and I sat back, thinking through our next steps. “We need to be smart about this,” I said. “One wrong move, and this could backfire.” Daisy nodded, deep in thought. We discussed various strategies, trying to find the perfect way to expose Scarlett without making ourselves targets. It was a delicate situation that required precision. Daisy suggested leaking the information anonymously to the press, but I knew I wanted to do more than just expose them. “We need to hit them where it hurts,” I said firmly. Daisy looked at me, intrigued. “What do you have in mind?” she asked. I wasn’t entirely sure yet, but I knew one thing: this wasn’t just about revealing the truth—it was about making them pay. I carefully drafted an anonymous letter with all the incriminating documents and sent it to a reputable journalist. “This will get their attention,” I said, sealing the envelope. Daisy and I double-checked every piece of evidence, ensuring nothing could be traced back to us. Once we were satisfied, I mailed the package. Now, all we had to do was wait and see how the story would unfold. Within a couple of days, the story broke, causing a media frenzy. News outlets covered it extensively, each adding their own spin, but the core facts were undeniable. Scarlett’s company was embroiled in scandal, and the images of her with Rian were everywhere. “Look at this,” Daisy said, waving her phone. “It’s all over social media.” I couldn’t help but smile. The first stage of our plan was a success. Scarlett’s company was under intense scrutiny, and she was forced to step down pending investigation. “She won’t recover from this,” Daisy said with satisfaction. I watched the news coverage, feeling a sense of justice. “And Rian?” Daisy asked, raising an eyebrow. He was already suffering from the fallout, his reputation in tatters. This was just the beginning. Now, it was time for the next phase of my plan. Meanwhile, Rian faced a tumultuous time at work—his reputation was in tatters. Colleagues whispered behind his back, and his boss, once enthralled with him, now gave him cold stares. Meetings became hostile environments where his ideas were shot down without consideration. Rian’s once-promising career now hung by a thread, all thanks to the media exposure and the scandalous images that had surfaced. He was feeling the weight of it all. I watched the news with a sense of vindication but knew it wasn’t enough. Seeing Rian and Scarlett squirm under the public eye brought some satisfaction, but my thirst for revenge was far from quenched. Each news segment replayed the downfall, but I wanted more—I wanted personal retribution. The media storm was just a beginning, a mere prelude to what was to come. I couldn’t stop here. The affair might be out in the open, but I wanted to see them suffer personally, not just professionally. Watching them on TV was one thing, but seeing their lives crumble up close would be the real victory. I knew I had to take further steps to ensure that their personal lives were just as shattered as their public personas. The scandal was the spark; now, it was time to unleash the fire. I decided to capitalize on the chaos I had created and planned the next step of my revenge. I needed to keep the momentum going, ensuring that neither Rian nor Scarlett had a moment’s peace. I began to brainstorm ideas for my next move, something that would hurt them both deeply. The downfall in the workplace was merely the start. I was gearing up for something far more personal. Rian, grappling with the fallout at work, moved in with Scarlett temporarily. Their relationship had already started to show cracks under the mounting pressure. Living together in close quarters would only amplify those fissures. Scarlett’s penthouse, which once seemed like a luxurious escape, now felt like a cage. Being constantly surrounded by reminders of their mistake made it hard for either of them to find solace. Daisy kept feeding me updates on their deteriorating relationship, saying that the stress was causing constant fights. “They’re at each other’s throats,” Daisy reported one evening. “Scarlett can’t handle the scrutiny, and Rian’s spiraling.” These tidbits of information fueled my determination. Knowing their relationship was crumbling from the inside out was exactly what I needed to press forward. They deserved every moment of anguish. One evening, Daisy and I went undercover, attending a high-profile event where they would both be present. We dressed inconspicuously and mingled with the crowd, keeping our eyes peeled for Rian and Scarlett. When we finally spotted them, the tension between the two was palpable. “This is our chance,” Daisy whispered. We positioned ourselves strategically, ready to capture any explosive moments. The atmosphere was electric. My goal was simple: public humiliation. I wanted to see Rian and Scarlett’s disgrace unfold in real-time, in front of an audience that could amplify their misery. As we watched them awkwardly navigate the event, it became clear that things were about to boil over. People started to notice the tension, and whispers began circulating. We were ready to document it all, making sure nothing went unnoticed. We snapped photos of their heated argument, making sure to capture Scarlett’s tear-streaked face and Rian’s desperate expressions. The fight escalated, drawing the attention of nearby guests. Their once-polished façade crumbled, and we clicked away, each photo sharper than the last. The scene was unfolding perfectly, providing us with the material needed to further tarnish their public image. Scarlett’s mascara ran, and Rian looked defeated. These photos were posted on social media anonymously, ensuring they went viral. Within hours, they were being shared and commented on, with hashtags alluding to their scandalous affair. The public was ruthless, dissecting every image and speculating about the details. Scarlett and Rian’s humiliation was complete, their argument now a spectacle for the world to see. It was another victory in my plan for ultimate revenge. Scarlett was not just a disgraced professional but also a subject of public ridicule. Memes and jokes about her, combined with Rian’s downfall, spread like wildfire. Their faces plastered all over the internet, their actions dissected by strangers. Scarlett’s confidence crumbled with each new comment of mockery, every meme targeting her character. It was clear the public was reveling in their misery. I felt emboldened after witnessing their embarrassment, but knew I had to tread carefully. Taking too bold a step could jeopardize everything I’d worked for. “We still need to be cautious,” I reminded Daisy. “Right,” she agreed, nodding. While the pleasure of their public flogging was immense, our next moves required more precision. We couldn’t afford any mistakes. Rian started slipping into depression, becoming more isolated. His social media accounts fell silent, and colleagues noticed his growing absence at events. “He’s a mess,” Daisy reported, shaking her head. Rian rarely left Scarlett’s penthouse, consumed by his thoughts. The confident, ambitious man I once knew was now a shadow, retreating from the world. Each day, his descent grew more apparent. As I watched from afar, I realized the next step required me to be more direct. “We need to ensure this continues to spiral,” I told Daisy. Observing their steady decline was satisfying, but I needed to intensify my actions. Daisy looked at me with a knowing glint. The subtle approach had worked so far; it was time to add more pressure. I began planting seeds of doubt in the minds of those closest to them. Old friends and colleagues received anonymous tips and vague warnings. “Scarlett’s hiding something,” one note read. Another whispered, “Can Rian be trusted?” These hints stirred suspicion and mistrust, deepening Scarlett and Rian’s isolation. Each seed planted threatened the very foundation of their social circles. I reached out to Scarlett’s ex-partners and hinted at her untrustworthiness, orchestrating stories that made Rian seem like a pathetic figure in her life. Old flames were eager to share dirt, their tales adding fuel to the fire. “Did you hear about Scarlett?” they whispered to others. The narrative now painted Rian as a pawn in Scarlett’s grand manipulations, further shredding his dignity. Meanwhile, Daisy worked within the company to tarnish Rian’s reputation even further. Spreading rumors was her specialty; she whispered about Rian’s incompetence, his erratic behavior. “Can you believe what Rian did?” she’d say, shaking her head dramatically. Office morale plummeted as trust in Rian evaporated. This internal sabotage ensured his professional standing was as ruined as his personal one. The once-confident man I had been married to was falling apart, and I enjoyed every moment of his descent. Watching his downfall brought a twisted sense of satisfaction. “Look at him now,” I said to Daisy, pointing to a photo of Rian looking disheveled. Each step in his downfall was a victory, a reminder of why I’d started this journey of revenge. As their personal and professional lives continued to unravel, something unexpected happened. One morning, Daisy called with urgency in her voice. “You won’t believe this,” she said. “Scarlett’s… retaliating.” My heart raced at the news. It seemed the pressure had finally pushed Scarlett over the edge, compelling her to make a move. This twist was an unforeseen complication in my otherwise flawless plan. Scarlett cornered me one day at a grocery store. Her eyes burned with fury, and I could sense she knew more than she let on. “We need to talk,” she said through gritted teeth. Surprised but ready, I stayed calm. “What do you want, Scarlett?” I asked, holding my ground. Her response was a mix of rage and desperation: “I know what you did.” She looked disheveled and angry, almost on the brink of tears. Her once meticulously styled hair was a tangled mess, and her makeup, usually flawless, was smeared. “I want to understand why,” she demanded, her voice cracking. The rage in her eyes was undeniable, a stark contrast to the composed boss she usually was. She stood there, her chest heaving with emotion, drawing the attention of those nearby. ‘Why are you doing this?’ she shouted, causing a scene. Heads turned, and I could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on us. Scarlett’s voice echoed through the store, her anger palpable. Shoppers paused, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. Her outburst intensified the tension, but I remained unfazed, standing my ground. She needed answers, and she wouldn’t leave without confronting me. I looked her straight in the eyes, maintaining my calm demeanor. The chaos around us didn’t faze me; I knew this moment would come. Scarlett’s glare was intense, searching for any sign of remorse or fear. But I gave her none. Instead, I met her fury with a steely gaze, a silent affirmation of my resolve. This was my victory, and I wouldn’t let her unsettle me. ‘Maybe now you’ll understand what betrayal feels like,’ I replied coldly. The words sliced through the air, hitting her like a ton of bricks. Scarlett’s face twisted with a mix of confusion and pain. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her silence was telling. The tables had turned, and she could no longer hide behind her facade of control. The reality of her actions was finally sinking in. That night, I received a message from Rian, asking to meet. His text was brief but carried a sense of urgency. “Can we talk? Need to see you.” My heart skipped a beat as the message illuminated my screen. This could be the culmination of all my efforts, the final confrontation. I took a moment to compose myself before responding. “Tomorrow,” I typed, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread. I agreed, sensing this could be the final act in my elaborate play. Rian’s desperation was apparent, his tone pleading. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the chance to confront him face-to-face. The opportunity to see his reaction to everything I had orchestrated. My resolve solidified, and I sent my reply. “10 AM, the old café,” I wrote, setting the stage for our meeting. I met Rian at a small café we frequented in happier times. The place was almost empty, the air filled with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Rian sat at a corner table, looking worn and defeated. His once confident posture was now slouched, his eyes scanning the room nervously. I approached him, each step deliberate, and took a seat across from him without a word. He looked broken, his eyes pleading for an explanation. The weight of the recent events hung heavy between us. Rian seemed a mere shadow of the man I once knew. His face bore the signs of sleepless nights, and his clothes hung loosely on his frame. We sat in silence for a moment, the tension thick in the air. It was clear he was on the verge of breaking. ‘Why did you send those documents to the press?’ he whispered, barely able to look me in the eye. His voice was shaky, filled with an unbearable sadness. The question lingered between us, a desperate need for answers. I felt a flicker of guilt, quickly extinguished by the reminder of his betrayal. This was the moment of truth. I merely sipped my coffee, my silence unnerving him further. The heat of the cup warmed my hands as I took a slow, deliberate drink. Rian’s eyes darted back and forth, searching for any sign, any hint, of my intentions. His discomfort was palpable, and I relished every second. My silence spoke volumes; it was a testament to my control over the situation. He shifted in his seat, growing increasingly desperate. ‘You have no idea how deeply you hurt me, Rian,’ I finally said, laying down my cup. ‘Did you really think you could just walk away unscathed?’ My voice cut through the air, each word a dagger. Rian’s face twisted with a mix of regret and confusion. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. The reality of his actions was sinking in, and my anger was undeniable. He sat there, absorbing my words, visibly defeated. The strength he once had seemed to drain from his body. Rian looked away, unable to meet my eyes, his hands trembling slightly as they rested on the table. The silence between us grew, filled with the weight of unspoken truths. He knew the damage he had caused, but the depth of my pain was something he could barely comprehend. I told him I wanted Scarlett to experience the same level of pain I had felt. ‘She took everything from me, Rian. Do you understand that?’ Seeing his reaction to my words gave me a twisted sense of satisfaction. His eyes widened with a mix of guilt and realization. ‘She needs to suffer too,’ I added, my tone unwavering. ‘And if you truly love her, then you have to face the consequences as well.’ If he loved her, then he had to suffer too. The words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Rian’s shoulders slumped, and he seemed to shrink before my eyes. ‘You don’t get to walk away and live happily ever after,’ I continued. ‘Not after what you both did to me.’ The shock and resignation in his eyes were clear. This was far from over, and he knew it. The look of realization on his face was priceless. He finally understood the full extent of my resolve. ‘I never intended for things to go this far,’ he muttered, but there was no sympathy left in my heart for him. The pain I had endured turned into a steely determination. Rian’s regretful expression was a small victory, a sign that my plan was working. Daisy came over later that evening to celebrate our small victory. ‘You did it,’ she said, raising a glass of wine. ‘Rian’s finally realizing the mess he’s in.’ We toasted to the downfall of Rian and Scarlett, sharing a moment of triumph. The evening was filled with laughter and a sense of camaraderie. But deep down, I knew things weren’t entirely over yet. The battle had just begun. We toasted to the downfall of Rian and Scarlett, but I knew things weren’t entirely over yet. ‘There’s still a lot to do,’ I told Daisy, my mind racing with possibilities. ‘Scarlett’s company is struggling, but that’s not enough.’ Daisy nodded in agreement. The satisfaction of watching their public humiliation was great, but I wanted to ensure they’d never recover. This was just the beginning of their end. Scarlett’s company was nearing bankruptcy, thanks to the endless financial audits resulting from the leaked documents. ‘She’s barely holding it together,’ Daisy remarked, scrolling through the latest news. The audits had exposed a mess of financial mismanagement and corruption, leaving the company on the brink of collapse. Employees were jumping ship, and investors were pulling their support. Watching it all unfold was like watching a house of cards come tumbling down. Rian had been suspended without pay while the investigation continued into his involvement. The scandal had tainted his reputation beyond repair. ‘He’s practically blacklisted in the industry now,’ Daisy said, shaking her head. No one wanted to be associated with him, and his career lay in ruins. The professional consequences were hitting him hard, and the personal repercussions were just as devastating. This was exactly what I had hoped for. I knew Scarlett had some powerful connections, and I couldn’t let her recover from this. ‘We need to ensure she doesn’t bounce back,’ I told Daisy. ‘She thrives on networking and influence.’ We brainstormed ways to cut her off from her support system. Anonymous tips, subtle sabotage, anything that would keep her isolated. Scarlett’s network was her lifeline, and we were going to sever it completely. Daisy suggested we take one final step to ensure their complete ruin. ‘We need something that will make it impossible for them to recover,’ she said, eyes gleaming with determination. ‘Let’s tip off the authorities about Scarlett’s illegal activities.’ The thought of Scarlett being dragged away in handcuffs was too tempting to ignore. ‘Let’s do it,’ I agreed, feeling a rush of adrenaline course through my veins. We decided to send an anonymous tip to the authorities about Scarlett’s involvement in illegal activities, amplified by more evidence from the infamous folder. Daisy crafted the perfect message while I scanned and attached the most damning documents. ‘This should be enough to get their attention,’ she said, hitting send. The email vanished into cyberspace, carrying our hopes for their complete downfall with it. Now, we just had to wait. It didn’t take long for the authorities to act. Within days, the company was swarming with investigators, combing through records and interrogating employees. ‘They’re getting exactly what they deserve,’ Daisy said, watching the news coverage. Scarlett and Rian’s faces flashed on the screen, the headlines announcing the investigation. We had set the wheels in motion, and there was no turning back now. Justice was finally being served. One morning, it was all over the news—Scarlett had been arrested for fraud and embezzlement, while Rian was implicated as an accessory. The footage showed her being led away in handcuffs, her expression one of utter defeat. ‘We did it,’ Daisy said, tears of joy in her eyes. I felt a sense of closure, knowing that the people who had hurt me were finally being held accountable. It was a victory. My phone buzzed, and it was a message from Rian, begging to talk. ‘Please, Mia, we need to speak. I’m desperate,’ the text read. I stared at the screen, a mix of emotions bubbling within me. This was the moment I had been waiting for. He had finally realized the grave consequences of his actions. I took a deep breath and typed my response: ‘Fine. One last time.’ I agreed to meet him one last time at our old house. The place held many memories, both good and bad, and it seemed fitting to have our final confrontation there. Rian’s desperation was palpable in his messages, but I remained resolute. Arriving at the house, I saw him waiting on the porch, looking lost and broken. This was it—the culmination of everything I had planned. As he stood there, looking exhausted and defeated, I revealed the final piece of my plan. ‘Rian, I took down the company and exposed your affair. This disastrous fallout? It’s all because of me,’ I said steadily. His eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. He looked utterly lost, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of what I had just said. ‘Rian, I took down the company and exposed your affair. This disastrous fallout? It’s all because of me,’ I said steadily. His face went pale as the full weight of my words sank in. He stared at me, disbelief and realization flooding his eyes. ‘How could you?’ he stammered. I simply shrugged, feeling a cold satisfaction. ‘You underestimated me, Rian. That’s your mistake.’ His face went pale as the full weight of my words sank in. ‘And the final blow: I will never take you back. Goodbye, Rian.’ His eyes filled with a mix of anger and despair. For a moment, he seemed on the verge of arguing, but then he realized it was hopeless. He nodded slowly, turned, and walked away. As he left, I felt a surge of liberation. This chapter was finally closed.