Planning a wedding should be one of the happiest times in a person’s life. For me, it became a nightmare when a colleague sent me a photo of my fiancé, Mark, cozying up with his ex, Amanda, at a spa resort. Mark had told me he was visiting his mom, so seeing him relaxed with his ex was a crushing betrayal.

Instead of confronting him immediately, I decided to take a more calculated approach. When Mark came back, I greeted him calmly and mentioned a photo Claire had sent me, showing him at a spa. His immediate panic confirmed his guilt. I pretended to give him a chance to redeem himself by suggesting a hike—a test I knew he’d loathe.

Mark, who dislikes hiking more than anything, agreed, desperate to salvage our relationship. I took him on a grueling, steep trail that would push him to his limits. From the start, his struggle was evident. He was sweating, panting, and asking for breaks, each plea a reminder of his deceit.

When we finally reached the top after hours of exhausting climbing, I revealed my decision: I was ending our relationship. Mark was stunned, pleading for me to reconsider, but I remained firm. I left him at the top, telling him I’d leave the car keys for him.

I didn’t leave the keys. I drove home, leaving all his belongings on the porch with a note: “Thanks for the hike! Enjoy your new single life. Hope Amanda enjoys your sweaty company. P.S. Changed the locks. My new pet Rottweiler might want to have a chat if you knock on the door!”

By the time he made it back, he had to call Amanda for a ride. As for me, I’m focusing on moving forward, enjoying my newfound freedom. This experience has taught me the importance of self-respect and the value of ending a relationship when trust is broken. Sometimes, the best revenge is to focus on your own well-being and look forward to new beginnings.