Love's Retribution: Seeking Justice from an Ex

Before my mom passed away, she made me a bag of sandwiches.

I treasured them like gold and couldn't bring myself to eat them, so I froze them in the fridge.

After her cremation, I followed her wishes and took her back to her hometown for burial.

My husband, however, made excuses and refused to go with me.

Before I left, I told him not to touch the sandwiches in the fridge, as they were my mom's final gift to me.

He was in the study, tapping away at his keyboard, and just lazily said, "Okay."

After handling the funeral arrangements, I came home early. When I opened the door, I saw him cooking with his friend, Marisa Bright.

Marisa was wearing my husband's clothes and holding the sandwiches my mom had made for me.

***

"I'm like a guy, and I'm not used to women's clothes, so I had to wear Devon's old clothes. We've always done this since we were little. Don't be upset, Candy," Marisa said.

She nervously buttoned up her shirt as I stared at her.

She was wearing Devon Benton's shirt, showing off one shoulder and her bare legs.

Normally, I would have fought with Devon.

But right now, all my attention was on the sandwiches in Marisa's hands.

Devon didn't even look up, acting bored.

"Why are you back early?" he asked.

"Candy, you just got off the plane and haven't eaten, right? Sit down and have some food," Marisa said.

She sounded as if she were the hostess of the house.

Before I could respond, she sat down, took a bite, and spat it out.

"Why are there shrimp in here? I'm allergic to seafood," Marisa said, dumping all the sandwiches into the dog's bowl.

She had brought over her dog.

"Devon, you should have Candy make something else next time. I don't like these," she added.

I was trembling with rage, speechless.

The sandwiches were my mom's last gift.

She made seventeen sandwiches despite her illness, worried I wouldn't eat properly after she was gone.

I had told Devon not to touch them.

They were a symbol of my mother's love.

They were the last things that could remind me of her.

But now...

"Didn't I say not to touch those sandwiches?" I shouted.

"When did you say that? Anyway, go make some food for Marisa," Devon snorted, not noticing my anger.

Unable to bear it any longer, I grabbed the pot from the table and threw it down.

Marisa, standing nearby, got splashed with hot soup.

"What are you doing?" Marisa jumped up, covering her burned arm and glaring at me.

"Enough, Candy! Is losing my mom that impressive? Who gave you the right to take it out on Marisa? Apologize to her now," Devon snapped.