Desperate Housewife Strikes Back

Twenty-five years I cooked, cleaned, and worshipped my husband David.

Then I found the Hawaii tickets on his phone. For him and his secretary Lily.

"You're just a free maid, Helen," David laughed when I confronted him. "Lily's young, smart, useful. You? You're nothing."

My son Luke not only covered for his affair but high-fived him in celebration. "Finally, Dad! Mom's so embarrassing. Lily's way cooler, and she bought me those limited edition Jordans!"

They wanted me gone? Done. I signed the divorce papers, walked away with nothing.

Sitting in my crappy Honda, broke and homeless at fifty, I checked my phone.

Lottery notification: "Winner! $150 million!"

I stared at those zeros and started laughing like a maniac.

Time to destroy them both.

Helen's POV

"Yes, even if I walk away with nothing, I want a divorce."

I sat in Manhattan's top law firm, my voice so calm it surprised even me.

"Helen, forgive me for being direct." The lawyer pushed up his glasses. "You've been a housewife for twenty-five years with no income. Are you sure you want to give up all property rights?"

"Absolutely. I just want complete freedom."

The lawyer fell silent for a moment. "Can you tell me what happened?"

I closed my eyes. Those heart-wrenching images flooded back like a tide.

Forty-eight hours ago, I was still the weak, obedient free maid in my husband David's eyes.

Thanksgiving eve, Boston's first snow had just fallen. I woke at five as I had for the past twenty-five years. French beef stew simmered in the oven, his shirt lay pressed on the ironing board.

"Helen! Where's my navy silk tie?" David's impatient roar echoed from upstairs.

I rushed up the stairs. My knees ached from years of labor, but I didn't dare slow down.

"Second drawer, left side." I pulled out the tie and handed it to him.

He snatched it away, disgust written across his face. "That greasy smell on you is nauseating. I have an important academic forum today. Can't you pay attention to your appearance? Look at yourself—like some slum housewife."

I looked down at my faded house dress, my heart pierced like a needle.

Twenty-five years ago, I was also an excellent architect with a bright future. He said he needed stable support, said he couldn't bear to see me weathered by construction sites.

So I put down my paintbrush and picked up a spatula.

"Sorry, I'll shower right away." I apologized meekly.

He snorted and grabbed his phone to leave.

Then his screen lit up. A text popped up.

Sender: L.

Hawaii tickets are all set for next week! Can't wait ��

My vision froze instantly. "David, who is this L? What Hawaii tickets? You said you were going to Chicago for a conference!"

David's face went pale before rage exploded. "Helen! Did you just read my private messages?"

"Answer me! Who is she?"

"How dare you spy on my phone! This is exactly the kind of paranoid behavior that's destroying our marriage!"

Just then Luke appeared behind me, yawning. "What's all the yelling about?"

"Your father is going to Hawaii with some woman!" I showed him the message angrily.

Luke blinked, looking confused. "Hawaii? Oh, those tickets. Mom, Dad helped me book those for spring break."

I stared at him. "What?"

"I'm going with some friends, including Lily from Dad's office. She's cool." Luke shrugged. "And everyone texts with heart emojis now, Mom. It's not romantic, just normal."

David nodded coldly. "See? Your son understands modern communication better than you do."

"Seriously, Mom, can't you stop being so paranoid?" Luke added, running his fingers through his hair irritably. "Dad works hard enough supporting this family. Lily's just a teaching assistant who helps with research papers."

Hearing my son's words, my resolve crumbled. Luke was the child I'd raised with all my heart and soul. He was smart, honest. If he said this, maybe I really was mistaken?

"Is... is that so?" My eyes reddened as I looked between my husband and son.

"What else?" David adjusted his suit cuffs. "Helen, you really should see a psychiatrist. Your menopause is making this house toxic."

He slammed the door and left. Luke shook his head, muttering "can't stand this drama," and returned to his room.

I stood alone in the empty hallway, tears sliding silently down my face.

Maybe I really was being too sensitive.

Until the next afternoon.

Luke was at school, David at the university. I went to clean Luke's room as usual. His iPad lay carelessly on the bed, screen unlocked.

I meant to charge it for him, but the moment I picked up the iPad, a message popped up.

From David to Luke.

David: Done deal, those limited edition Jordans are shipped to your apartment. Remember, don't let your mom know about me and Lily going to Hawaii next week.

My hands shook violently. I trembled as I opened their chat history.

It was a world I didn't recognize at all.

Luke: Don't worry Dad, Mom's just a free maid. A little sweet talk and she's fine. A woman who's been out of society for twenty years—how could she dare divorce you? She wouldn't even be able to feed herself.

Luke: But seriously, Lily's way more fun than Mom. When you brought her to my basketball game, my classmates were jealous I had such a young, pretty 'stepmom.'

David: Haha, keep your mouth shut, kid. When you graduate, Dad will buy you that Porsche you want. As for your mom, let her stay home washing clothes and cooking. That's about her only value anyway.

Every word cut like a knife.

I felt my heart being crushed by an invisible fist, even my breathing tasted of blood.

Twenty-five years of devotion, and I got betrayal from my husband and contempt from my son. I gave up my youth, dreams, and dignity, cherishing them in my palms, only to discover that in their eyes, I was just a worthless "free maid," a fool to be deceived at will.

I collapsed onto Luke's bed, covering my mouth to stifle my desperate wails.

What had I done wrong?

As the sky turned completely dark, my phone rang frantically.

I answered numbly. "Hello?"

"Is this Helen? This is the National Lottery Center. Congratulations! Your Mega Millions ticket has won this week's jackpot! After taxes, you'll receive one hundred fifty million dollars!"

One hundred fifty million dollars.