Twenty years of marriage reduced to a cleaning gadget that costs nine dollars. That was the situation that arose when my husband presented me with a mop on the occasion of our anniversary. The room fell into a startled stillness, with the exception of his sister’s shrill laughing breaking the silence. It is important to note that karma does not take h.u.m.iliation lightly, and it paid a visit to both of them that evening.

On the occasion of our tenth wedding anniversary, my husband, Derek, had organized a magnificent celebration for us. “A celebration of love,” he referred to things as. In my opinion, that was a performance. I was standing there with a phony grin pasted on my face and a champagne glass in my hand. Within my gut, I felt a twisting sensation of dread.

“Rachel, my sweetheart!” That was his sister, Trina, confidently moving about the room as if she were the owner of the space. In the light of the chandeliers, her diamond-studded bracelet shone brightly. It was the identical jewelry that Derek had presented to her only one month before.

This party is really incredible, isn’t it? Indeed, Derek went all out on this!

I smiled a little bit more broadly than I used to. “It’s… beautiful,” I said, my teeth pressed closely behind my mouth as I spoke.

With her breath heavy with costly bubbly, Trina moved in closer. “I cannot wait to find out what he has left for you. “It is going to take something truly extraordinary to surpass this baby,” she added as she shook her wrist in order to make the bracelet catch the light once again.

Prior to my having the opportunity to respond, Derek lifted his voice over the clamor. Yes, everyone! Would you mind if I got your attention?

As he approached me with a massive package that was covered in a gift wrapper, my heart began to pound strongly. Could this be it? Something that is significant?

“Wishing you a happy anniversary, Rachel, my sweetheart!” When he said that, he smiled.

After tearing apart the paper with trembling hands, I raised the lid of the container. A breathless hush descended over us as the talk that had been going on around us faded away.

There was a mop inside. It is white. Plastic is used. The scent is still reminiscent of the shelf it came from in the shop.

I was quite certain that it was a prank for a fraction of a second. Then, however, Trina unexpectedly broke out laughing—loud, wild, and uncensored.

The poor Derek! That is really funny! My goodness, this is the ideal present for your housekeeping!

I grabbed the handle of the mop, and the plastic of the handle dug into my palm. “Is this… some kind of play on words?” I inquired, my voice shaking slightly.

In a giggle, Derek said, “Relax.” “Later on, the true gift will be presented.”

However, his eyes were unmistakable. The time had not yet come. The way he saw me at this point was as a live-in maid who was helpful and disposable.

“Darling, what exactly is the true gift?” I made a demand.

“It’s… a surprise,” he said with a stammer.

At that moment, Trina was virtually screaming. Rachel, please don’t be such a sourpuss! At the very least, you now have the appropriate instrument for the task!

As soon as it happened, I lost my temper. The ten years of being ignored, unheard, and hated by others sparked a chilly, self-controlled wrath inside me.

Although Derek was yelling after me, I ignored him and turned around and went out of the ballroom. His bright red sports vehicle shone brightly under the lights as it was parked in the driveway. It was his pride and pleasure, the thing that he cherished more than our whole marriage.

“Rachel!” he raised his voice. Do you know what you’re doing?

I chose not to respond. The mop was lifted, and I smacked it onto the glass of the vehicle. With each step, the glass shattered like ice. The sound of gasps could be heard coming from behind me.

When Derek arrived, his face was completely white. “What the hell is going on?!!”

I delivered the broken mop at his feet and threw it. Greetings on your anniversary, Derek! I really hope that you enjoy your present as much as I treasured mine.

When we went inside, the celebration had become chilly. The laughing was replaced by whispers. At long last, Trina remained quiet.

Despite the fact that my whole body was shivering, I rushed up to our bedroom and slammed the door. When, exactly, did things get like this?

As soon as I heard the loud collision outside, I rushed to the window. I was unable to breathe.

It had happened that one of the enormous concrete pots, which was the pricey centerpiece of Derek’s carefully manicured landscaping, had just collapsed over his vehicle. It seemed as if the hood had collapsed into a tin can. It was a terrible amount of devastation.

A chuckle sprang in my throat as I laughed. There was a rapid and lyrical arrival of karma.

However, it was not yet complete.

I heard Trina who was ranting into her phone as I was downstairs. My curiosity led me to sneak down the steps.

“I don’t understand what you mean, my account is frozen!” When she screamed. The money belongs to me! I need access very soon!

She paced about like an animal that was confined. “You are really at a loss for words—I have investors waiting! Do not treat me in such a manner!

Derek, who was standing across the room, was pale and quiet. I was on the verge of feeling guilty. Not quite.

Exactly at that moment, Joanne, an old acquaintance of ours, approached me in a low voice.

She said, “Rachel,” her name. “There is something that you ought to be aware of.”

I made a turn. Who or what is it?

The previous week, I was able to overhear Derek… He has been consulting with a divorce attorney. He has had documents drafted for him.

Around me, the air became more cloudy. I experienced a flipping of my tummy.

Consequently, this is what the mop was. More than simply harsh. It had a symbolic tone. One more blow to the belly before shoved me out of the way.

“Thank you, Joanne,” I responded in a calm manner. “Please excuse me, I have some things that I need to look into.”

During the time that Derek was ranting to his insurance firm, I sneaked inside the residential office. I accessed our company’s financial data. As I went through account after account, my hands began to shake physically.

I then became aware of it.

The residence? Named after me. Several years ago, while we were refinancing, he had requested that I sign a few agreements. For a moment, I was unaware of what I had signed.

Is it the company? I was the owner of 51%. The majority ownership had been transferred to me by Derek for “tax purposes,” with the assumption that I would never be interested enough to investigate the matter.

As I smiled slowly, my lips turned up. I had just been given the kingdom by the guy who initially believed that I was weak.

I began packing Derek’s belongings the next morning. With weary eyes and a head full of confusion, he staggered toward the doorway.

The question that he posed was, “What are you doing?”

I secured his suitcase with a zipper. “I’m going to pack for you.”

“I call this my—”

Then I interjected with, “My house.” As well as my business. It’s funny how things will turn out.”

He became pallid. “Rachel, please wait… It wasn’t my intention for things to turn out this way.

In response, I said, “No, you intended to surprise me.” HUMILIATE me, please. And leave without any mud. How about this? You made an error in your calculations.”

He seemed to be in the mood to shed a tear.

Following then, there was a knock on the door.

I opened it and saw two guys dressed in suits. One of them inquired, “Mrs. Bennett?”

A “Yes?”

I’m Agent Morales, and I work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We need to inquire about Ms. Trina Blake so that we can get some answers.

Derek became completely numb.

Agent Morales proceeded by saying, “She is being investigated for potential fraud as well as money laundering.” It is reasonable for us to conclude that she utilized your company as a conduit for financial support.

An eyebrow was raised by me. Considering that I am the primary owner of the company, I will gladly help you in your research.

In his appearance, Derek seemed to have been hit in the stomach.

I continued by saying, “Oh,” as I pushed his baggage outside, “don’t forget your mop.” It is possible that you will need it amid the chaos that you are going to be dragged into.

In the evening, Joanne arrived to our house with a bottle of wine.

I had the impression that you would need a place to stay,” she added.

It’s not true,” I smiled. Apparently, I am not the one who is being booted out of the party.

One of her glasses was lifted. “To the law of karma.”

To power, I said with a sneer on my face.

A little while later, when I was standing in the doorway, watching the stars twinkle above me and the wind rustling the hedges, I got a glimpse of the mop that was tucked away in the corner.

Indeed, a low-cost present. However, it brought to mind something that is irreplaceable:

A woman who has been pushed to her limits should never be underestimated.