My ex-husband showed up unannounced one Saturday morning with an empty gym bag. He walked straight into our kids’ bedroom and started taking their toys — not for them, but for his mistress’s son. Oliver and Mia cried as their father stole the things that brought them joy, and I felt helpless. But karma was right behind him.

Six months earlier, our marriage ended brutally. Jake had been seeing Amanda, a woman with a son named Ethan, for over a year. When the truth came out, he showed no guilt — just moved in with her and made the divorce process as painful as possible. He fought over every fork and towel, not because he needed them, but to hurt me.

After the divorce, I focused on rebuilding a safe, warm home for Oliver (5) and Mia (3). Money was tight, but we were happy — until Jake knocked on my door that morning.

He claimed he’d “left some things behind,” but went straight to the kids’ room. He began stuffing their toys into his bag, saying he “paid for them” and would rather give them to Ethan than buy new ones. Oliver begged him not to take the Lego pirate ship he’d received for his birthday. Mia sobbed as he ripped her dollhouse from her hands. I demanded he stop, threatening to call the police.

Then, karma appeared — in the form of his mother, Carla. She had witnessed everything. Furious, she told Jake he was no longer in her will; everything would go to Oliver and Mia. Jake went pale, dropped the bag, and left.

Not long after, Amanda dumped him when she realized he wouldn’t be inheriting anything. Jake tried to crawl back, but Oliver and Mia didn’t run to him anymore. I closed the door, feeling no guilt — only clarity.

Family isn’t someone who gives and takes toys on a whim. It’s someone who protects, stays, and chooses love. Jake didn’t, and karma made sure he paid the price.