When my husband left me for a younger coworker, my world was shattered. Not only did he abandon our family, but he also maneuvered the divorce in such a way that left me and our kids in a financial bind. He under-valued our marital home during the divorce proceedings, only to list it at a much higher price later, cheating me out of what should have been a fairer settlement. Meanwhile, he flaunted his new life on social media, announcing a new home with his mistress, now fiancée, who was expecting his child.
The sting of betrayal was acute, especially as I struggled to make ends meet and provide for our children. It seemed like justice was slipping through my fingers, leaving me helpless and furious. However, a visit to my former mother-in-law, who was also upset by her son’s actions, gave me an unexpected avenue for what some might call revenge.
She unwittingly mentioned that she still had some of my husband’s belongings stored in her garage—items from his childhood and teenage years that he cherished deeply, things he had forgotten in his rush to start his new life. That’s when an idea struck me. If he had so easily discarded his past with us, perhaps he needed a reminder of where he came from, and what he was leaving behind.
The next day, after ensuring it was legally permissible, I listed all of his items on an online auction site, advertising them as “Memorabilia from [His Name], childhood to high school.” I included everything from his beloved baseball card collection to his high school trophies and yearbooks. The auction gained traction quickly, tapping into the nostalgia market, and soon bids were flying in, far exceeding my expectations.
But the real twist came when I decided to use all the proceeds from the auction to create a college fund for our children. This wasn’t just about getting back at him financially; it was about investing in our children’s future, something he had chosen to neglect.
As the auction closed, I sent him a link to the page, along with a note: “Since you’ve put a price on our past, I thought I’d do the same. All proceeds are going to our kids’ college fund. They deserve a secure future, even if you’re not planning to be a part of it.”
His response was surprisingly subdued. Perhaps seeing his childhood memories sold off to strangers sparked some reflection on his recent choices. While this act of “revenge” didn’t change our financial situation overnight, it helped me reclaim some control over our lives and put the focus back on what mattered most—providing for and protecting our children.
In the end, I realized that the best form of revenge wasn’t about hurting him but about empowering myself and our children to move forward, stronger and more secure in our future. While the pain of his betrayal might never fully disappear, taking these steps helped mend some of the broken pieces, focusing on building something new from the wreckage left behind.