9
422words
I knew Mr. Spencer had shown him the photos, forcing him to quickly surrender.
I adjusted my plan and said gleefully, “Delete them? Sure. Return the gift and envelope money, plus $15,000 for emotional distress, or…”
He cut me off,yelling,“That’s extortion!Immoral!I won’t!”
Immoral?I shot back,“Learned from you!It’s your own medicine.Refuse,and tomorrow the internet sees your shame.”
I hung up,not waiting.
The choice was mine now.
As I counted to three, I saw his text.
“Fine!I’m transferring now,but the lawyer deletes my photos.”
“Deal!”I typed,and my phone pinged with the transfer—fast!
I’m no liar,so I had the lawyer delete his photos.
But,oops,a hacker leaked them online within a day.My phone blew up with his calls.
Not my problem—I blocked him for good.
Time flew.After quitting my receptionist job, I used my dividends and savings to open a seaside bed and breakfast in the suburbs.
Far from city noise,facing the ocean,blooming in spring—my dream.
The decor matched my taste:simple,cozy,sunlit.
My friends said it was perfect for them.
Business boomed soon after opening.
Maybe,like me,people craved an escape to unwind.
My friends loved it,visiting monthly for gatherings,soaking in nature’s calm,relaxed and content.
“Heard about your ex?He’s in deep,”my friend Mia said,scrolling her phone,gossiping.
“Him?Irrelevant,”I smiled,unfazed.
“He defaulted on loans,debts piling up.Collectors hounded him at work.”
“Oh?” I asked absently as I arranged the flowers.
“He got fired! Those online photos ruined his job prospects. He sold his hometown house to pay off his debts. His mistress, who was five months pregnant, left him.”
“His mom objected,made a scene.The mistress admitted the kid’s not his—someone else’s.His mom chased her,nearly causing a miscarriage,till a bystander called an ambulance,”my friend Emma laughed.
“And get this,”Mia piped up.“She told him on the stretcher he’s infertile—can’t have kids.He was there,couldn’t handle it,went crazy.Now his mom’s with her mad son,homeless.I saw her scavenging trash once.Justice!”
“Karma’s real,”I sneered,feeling no pity, just satisfaction.
“He deserves it!Should’ve known this day would come,”Mia fumed.
I set down the flowers, gazing at the shimmering sea, a mocking smile curling on my lips.
“Play dirty,pay the price.”
Some people bring about their own downfall.
I’d shed my past’s shadows,embracing my spring.
Epilogue
Three years later,an old classmate,Ethan Blake,visited my B&B.
On Valentine’s Day,he confessed his feelings.
“I’ve always had a crush on you.Will you be my girlfriend?”
His earnest gaze won me over,and I nodded in agreement.
Soon,I had a darling daughter with the man I love,living happily ever after!
