I discovered a Christmas present hidden in my husband’s wardrobe, but it bore the name of his mistress – so I took action to get revenge

Two days before Christmas, I found a concealed gift box in my husband’s closet meant for his mistress. I didn’t cry or yell. Instead, I planned a surprise that would leave them both stunned.

I never imagined I would get so inventive with retaliation, but life can surprise you. Finding that small red gift box in my husband’s closet took me off guard. Now, sitting here with a glass of wine, I can’t help but smile at how perfectly my Christmas prank turned out.

The first sign that something was off appeared about a month before Christmas. Jimmy started working late… very late. The kind of late that makes you wonder if his office has a hidden bed.

Then, unexpectedly, he was home early. Odd.

“Hey, you’re back early! I took half a day off today. Headache. How did the meeting go?” his voice called from the kitchen as I entered our house at 7 p.m. These days, that’s considered early.

I set my keys in the ceramic bowl we bought on our honeymoon. “It was fine.”

Despite the decorations I’d put up — the garlands along the stairs, wreaths on every door, and the big tree in the living room I decorated alone while Jimmy worked late — the house felt empty.

“I made some pasta,” he called out. “Would you like some?”

“Already ate.” I headed upstairs, footsteps heavy on the wooden stairs. “Got a headache. Think I’ll sleep early.”

That night, I lay awake, listening to Jimmy’s steady breathing beside me, wondering when we had become strangers sharing a bed. Five years of marriage, no children yet. We’d been “waiting for the right time.”

Now, I wondered if that moment would ever arrive.

My mother had warned me about marrying young. “You’re only 23, Alina,” she said. “Why rush?”

But I was so sure. Jimmy was different. He was special. He was… then I saw a text on his phone at 2 a.m., illuminating the bedroom in light.

Two days before Christmas, I decided to check his cluttered home office, then started clearing his closet. Amid the messy clothes, tangled cables, and abandoned gym gear, something caught my eye.

A red gift box hidden behind some winter coats.

My heart skipped. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he was planning a surprise. Maybe all those late nights were just him working hard to buy something special for me.

Then I noticed the note attached with a shiny silver ribbon: “LOVE YOU, JULIE!”

Here’s the heartbreak: My name IS NOT JULIE!

The world kept turning. My hands stayed steady as I opened the box to find a diamond necklace — the exact one I had shown him months ago during our anniversary dinner.

“Look how lovely that is,” I had said, pointing at it in the jewelry store window.

“Too expensive,” he had replied, rarely looking up from his phone.

Apparently, not too costly for Julie, though.

I pulled out my phone and called Mark, my friend from college who fixes furniture. “Remember when you said I owed you for helping with your divorce papers? Now’s the time to collect.”

“Alina? Are you okay?”

“Not really. How good are you at modifying gift boxes?”

Mark’s workshop smelled like sawdust and revenge. He whistled as he examined the box. “Are you sure about this, Alina? Once we alter it, we can’t undo—”

“Absolutely.” I handed him a small container with my secret revenge recipe. “Make it count.”

“It’ll go off the moment someone lifts the lid more than an inch.” He showed me how it worked, careful with his hands. “Spring-loaded, just as you wanted. It’ll hit everything within a three-foot radius. Heavy-duty stuff.”

I grinned, imagining what would happen. “Perfect!”

“Want to tell me who it’s for?”

“Let’s just say someone’s about to get a very special Christmas surprise.”

That evening, I returned the gift box to its hiding spot, exactly where Jimmy would find it. Now, I just had to wait.

Christmas morning arrived bright and chilly. I’ve always loved the magic of Christmas — the excitement, anticipation, and happiness. But this year, I watched quietly from the kitchen as Jimmy grabbed his coat, secretly holding the red box under his arm.

“Heading to the office, dear?” I asked sweetly, stirring my coffee. “On Christmas?”

“Just for an hour,” he mumbled, avoiding my eyes. “Urgent client meeting, sweetheart.”

“Of course. Don’t work too hard.”

He smiled and left. I grabbed my keys and followed him to Honey Bunz, our favorite restaurant.

Through the window, I saw her. JULIE. My husband’s mistress. Her perfectly styled blonde hair, red lipstick, designer clothes. Everything I lacked.

She bounced in her seat like a kid on Christmas morning as Jimmy approached her table. “Aww, Jim, you shouldn’t have!” She clapped her hands loudly, attracting stares.

“Anything for you, sweetheart,” Jimmy said loudly. His voice carried through the unclosed door. He slid into the booth across from her, holding a glittery box proudly. “I picked this out for you, my love.”

“Oh my God, is it…?” Julie’s eyes widened as she grabbed the box. “The diamond necklace from La Enchanted Diamonds? The one I showed you last month? The diamond ring from Botswana?”

“Open it and see, sugar,” Jimmy said, smiling.

“Trying. The knot’s pretty tight,” Julie said.

“Let me help,” Jimmy approached her as they untied the ribbon together.

“Three…” I whispered, phone recording steadily. “Two… one…”

SPLAT!

Green paint exploded all over. Julie’s scream pierced the air. “MY HAIR! MY DRESS!” She leapt up, paint running down her face like melted ice cream. “JIMMY, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?”

Jimmy froze, mouth open, green paint dribbling from his nose. “I… I don’t…”

“Is this some kind of joke?” Julie yelled, wiping paint from her eyes. “Do you think this is funny, you IDIOT?”

An older woman at the next table snorted into her drink. “I think it’s hilarious!”

“Someone get this on video!” shouted a teen nearby.

“Already going viral!” another responded, typing furiously.

Julie grabbed her ruined designer purse. “I look like the Grinch threw up on me! This dress cost more than your monthly salary, you fool!”

“Julie, wait—” Jimmy stood, green paint splattering everywhere.

“Don’t call me that! I’m done with your stupid game!” She stormed out, leaving green footprints. “And by the way? Your wife is way better than you!”

Exactly right, sister!

I barely made it back home before Jimmy stormed through the door, covered in bright green paint.

“What happened to you?” I asked, trying to hide my shock. “You look like the Grinch!”

“Some kids with paint balloons,” he muttered. “They were targeting everyone outside my office.”

“On Christmas? How terrible!” I grabbed the envelope on the counter. “Oh, these came for you today. Consider it my gift to you, dear!”

Jimmy’s paint-covered fingers trembled as he opened it. Inside, he found divorce papers.

“WHAT?” he shouted, panic on his face.

“Merry Christmas, dear,” I said, pulling the diamond necklace from my pocket. “By the way, your taste in jewelry has improved since our anniversary. Poor Julie missed out on this!”

“You… you swi—”

“Yes! I swapped the gift box you carefully hidden for your mistress! How do you like your surprise?” I mocked.

“Alina, honey, let me explain. You don’t understand!” He stepped forward, green paint dripping.

“Understand what? That you’re a liar? That you cheated? That buying her the same necklace I wanted is betrayal?” I said coldly.

He begged, “Please, honey, it was nothing serious. Julie was just… she didn’t mean anything. We never—”

“Save it,” I cut him off, holding up my hand. “I’ve heard enough. ‘She’s just a friend.’ ‘It’s work late nights.’ I even believed you, once.”

“Don’t do this. I’m sorry.”

I laughed bitterly. “I spent months feeling I wasn’t enough. That I had to be prettier, smarter, better. But seeing you covered in paint, I realize you were never enough.”

“Give me another chance.”

“No.” I grabbed my suitcase. “Thanks for the necklace. Consider it my consolation prize. And Jimmy? Green isn’t your color.”

I drove away, catching one last glimpse of Jimmy standing in the driveway, a pathetic green figure. My phone buzzed with notifications — the video of the paint incident was going viral.

The last I heard, Julie dumped him after the incident. She didn’t want to be known as ‘the green mistress.’

Jimmy tried dating apps afterward, but it’s tough when everyone knows you as ‘the green Christmas cheater.’

As for me, I’m doing well. The necklace looks great with everything I wear. Every time it catches the light, I smile, remembering my revenge: wrapping up my marriage with a big green bow.