I’m Sarah, 35, a widowed mom to Lily, eight, and Jack, ten. After my husband’s tragic accident two years ago, my kids were heartbroken—Jack grew quiet, Lily clung to me. I wasn’t chasing romance when I met Greg at a friend’s cookout. He brought lemonade for the kids, sat with Lily to braid her doll’s hair, and made Jack chuckle with silly faces. Noticing my green earrings, he asked, “Is green your color?” His kindness sparked hope in my weary heart.
For two years, Greg was our anchor. He baked cupcakes for birthdays, brought soup when I worked late at the bakery, and taught Jack to fish, cheering his first catch. Lily called him “our Greg.” He proposed one evening in our cozy den, and Lily whispered, “Will he always be here?” I nodded, “I hope so.” But soon, Greg changed—distant, staring at his tablet, dodging my questions. “Work’s rough,” he’d grumble, grabbing a beer. He skipped family dinners, claiming late “shifts” at his warehouse.
I suggested therapy. He laughed, “Talk about feelings? No way.” My gut warned me, but I clung to love. His “boys’ nights” grew frequent, excuses shaky. One evening, grabbing takeout, I saw him at a café, cozy with a coworker, their hands entwined. I got the kids to bed, heart racing. At 11 p.m., I confronted him. “Enjoy the café?” He shrugged, “It’s over, Sarah.” Furious, I shouted, “Get out!” He smirked, “I want every gift back—everything I gave you and the kids.”
Shocked, I packed Lily’s bunny, Jack’s drone, my necklace, and leftover chocolates into a box, leaving it in the garage. The next day, I left it on his porch, rang the bell, and watched. Greg, in a worn robe, opened the box. Ants and beetles poured out, drawn by the sweets. Bug-phobic Greg shrieked, jumping wildly, neighbors staring. He called, “This is disgusting!” I replied calmly, “The garage must’ve attracted bugs. Or it’s karma.” His maid dumped the box in the trash. I later rescued the drone and bunny, cleaning them.
We had a movie night, cuddling with popcorn, laughing freely. I don’t regret loving Greg, but I regret exposing my kids to his cruelty. Next time, I’ll pick someone honest, who values us. Karma’s sting, delivered by bugs, showed me my strength. Greg’s betrayal taught me to stand tall, and with Lily and Jack, I’m rebuilding our happiness, stronger than ever.
