My ex-husband once told me, “It’s just a little fun.” That’s how he described the affair that wrecked our marriage. Harmless, he claimed. But when he came back after our divorce and started ripping wallpaper off the walls because he “paid for it,” karma decided it was her turn to have a little fun—at his expense.
Eli and I were married for eight years. We had two children and lived in a cozy, sun-filled house I’d inherited from my grandmother. It was more than just a home—it was a place full of stories, memories, and the scent of lavender baked into the walls.
For years, I thought we had a good life. Eli had a decent job, I freelanced from home, and we managed the chaos of parenting with humor and grace—until I found out about his affair.
The first time, I forgave him. Against every instinct, I gave him another chance. I wanted to believe he regretted it. That we could move on. But the second time? I didn’t wait for apologies. I filed for divorce the same day.
It hurt like hell, but I kept my dignity.
The divorce was surprisingly smooth. The house stayed with me—it had been in my name from the start—and our assets were split evenly. As for custody? Eli insisted I take the kids full-time.
“I’m not good with routines,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re better at that kind of stuff.”
Translation: “I don’t want the responsibility.”
Fine. I didn’t fight it. The kids deserved consistency, not disappointment.
Eli promised he’d be out of the house by that weekend. To give him space, I took our son, Alex, and our daughter, Mia, to stay with my mom for a few days.
When we came back, I expected quiet. Closure. Maybe even a little peace.
Instead, I walked into a scene straight out of a home renovation nightmare.
The wallpaper in the hallway—the one my grandmother picked out decades ago, delicate blue roses climbing a pale background—was gone. The walls were raw and patchy, with strips of drywall poking out like bones. I found Eli in the kitchen, yanking down the last of it like a man possessed.
“What are you doing?” I asked, stunned.
He didn’t even flinch. “I paid for this wallpaper,” he said flatly, ripping another piece off the wall. “It’s mine.”
My voice wavered. “You’re destroying the kids’ home.”
He shrugged. “My money, my wallpaper.”
Behind me, Alex and Mia peeked around the corner, wide-eyed and silent. I could feel their confusion and fear like a weight in the air.
I turned back to Eli. “Do whatever you want,” I said. My voice was steady, but my hands were shaking. “We’ll be out of your way.”
I gathered the kids and left. But I knew—deep in my bones—that one day, life would hand Eli back every piece of that wallpaper, one way or another.
When I returned later, Eli was gone. So was everything he had bought. The toaster, the utensils, even the light bulbs in the guest bathroom—vanished. The pettiest prize? The toilet paper. He’d taken every last roll.
I stood in the middle of my half-empty kitchen and laughed.
Six months passed. I focused on rebuilding. New routines, new furniture, new memories. I let the kids choose their own wallpaper—Alex went with dinosaurs, and Mia picked unicorns with glittery stars. I painted the rest of the house myself, one wall at a time. It became ours again.
Then, out of the blue, I got a phone call.
“Hey, Ava,” Eli said, voice too chipper. “I wanted you to hear it from me—I’m getting married next month!”
My stomach flipped. “To who?”
“She’s amazing. Stunning. Smart. I’m moving on, and I just thought you should know. Some women want to be with me, believe it or not.”
“Congratulations,” I replied, then hung up before he could say another word.
A few weeks later, I was walking through the farmers’ market, enjoying a rare Saturday morning to myself, when I spotted Eli across the street. He was holding hands with a tall brunette in heels and designer sunglasses.
As they got closer, my mouth went dry. The woman beside him was none other than Naomi—a friend from my old book club.
She lit up when she saw me. “Ava! Wow, what a surprise!”
Naomi tugged Eli toward me like a trophy. “This is my fiancé! His name is—”
“Eli,” I said coolly. “Yeah. I know.”
Naomi blinked, her smile faltering. “Wait… you know each other?”
Eli looked like he wanted to disappear.
“Oh, we go way back,” I said lightly.
Naomi tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
She turned to Eli. “Do you know her?”
He forced a chuckle. “It’s not important—”
“Actually,” I cut in, “he’s my ex-husband.”
Naomi’s eyes widened. She turned slowly to Eli. “Wait a second. You told me your ex cheated on you and moved to Europe with the kids.”
Eli’s jaw tightened.
Naomi gasped. “Hold on. The story you told me at book club… the one about the guy who ripped down wallpaper after the divorce? Ava, was that you?”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to.
Naomi’s gaze snapped back to Eli. “Oh my God. That was YOU?!”
He fumbled. “It was just a misunderstanding—”
“You tore wallpaper off your kids’ walls because you paid for it? Seriously? Who does that?”
“It wasn’t like that—”
“And you LIED about everything else, too!” Naomi was fuming. “You said Ava cheated. That she abandoned you. That you were the victim! You’re a walking disaster.”
She turned to me. “I’m so sorry, Ava. I didn’t know.”
Before I could respond, she whipped off her engagement ring and shoved it into Eli’s hand. “We’re done. Enjoy the rest of your life being… you.”
And just like that, she stormed off down the sidewalk in heels like weapons, her back straight and head high.
Eli stood frozen. The ring trembled in his hand.
I gave him the smallest smile and turned on my heel.
No words. No revenge. Just done.
That night, while tucking the kids into bed, Alex looked up at me.
“Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you remember when Dad took the wallpaper down?”
I hesitated, unsure of where his memory would take him.
But he grinned. “I’m glad he did.”
“You are?”
“Yeah,” he said, pointing to his wall. “Because now we have dinosaurs. And I got to pick them. Daddy can keep the old stuff.”
I looked around the room, smiling at the bright blue walls covered in playful prehistoric creatures. Then into Mia’s room—purple, glittery stars and pink unicorns glowing softly under the nightlight.
These weren’t just walls anymore. They were declarations. Of who we were. Of who we’d become. Of the family we were rebuilding—together.
“You know what, Alex?” I said, pulling him into a hug. “I think you’re absolutely right.”
That day with Naomi taught me something important. I didn’t have to scream. I didn’t need to expose Eli or retaliate. I didn’t even have to wish for karma.
Karma already had him on speed dial.
He lost his new engagement, his dignity, and—most importantly—the chance to be anything other than the guy who tore wallpaper off the walls in a fit of petty revenge.
Meanwhile, I got something better. Peace. Love. And two kids who now knew how to rebuild when something falls apart.
Sometimes, life hands you drywall and a broken heart.
But if you’re lucky—and a little patient—you’ll get to watch karma do her magic.
And trust me, when she shows up?
She decorates.
