As if being cheated on wasn’t enough, my ex-boyfriend texted me out of the blue, making monetary demands! After I got over the shock, I devised a cunning plan that would be replicated down the line. I made him regret ever making the request!
A woman reacting in shock while looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
So, here’s the deal. My ex, Dan Brown, and I had been together for five years. Things were great until they weren’t. When we broke up because of his cheating, I thought that was the end of it. Boy, was I wrong!
What made me think we were all done was that we had no contact for a while. I believed he’d moved on with the woman he cheated on me with, but that wasn’t the case. A month after our breakup, Dan suddenly reappeared last week, daring to text me with a ludicrous demand!
A serious-looking man texting | Source: Pexels
When you hear what it was, you’ll also agree that his request was the pettiest, leading it to be almost comical! His message was him asking me to pay him back for every penny he ever spent on me. Seriously!?
Dan was asking for money for all the gifts he’d bought me for special days like my birthdays, Christmas, and New Year’s! That man had LITERALLY calculated every penny he’d spent, leading to a large sum!
A confused-looking woman looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
“You need to pay me back EACH and EVERY penny!” he demanded. He didn’t even bother greeting me before making demands! The nerve of this guy! At first, I was stunned! Who does that? But then, the more I thought about it, the more it made me laugh!
Instead of texting him and telling him how pathetic he was for making such a request, I chose to hold my tongue. I didn’t even brag to Dan about how the amount he wanted wasn’t more than what I had spent on HIM for those same days. After all, we had been together for long enough.
A woman giving a man a wrapped gift | Source: Pixabay
Initially, I asked him, “But throughout our relationship, you said I didn’t have to pay you back?” I was shocked when he replied, “It doesn’t matter. I need that money now, so hurry up.” I thought about ignoring him, but then a brilliantly mischievous plan started to form in my head.
I came up with a better plan to exact my revenge and decided to play along but with a twist! “Sure thing, Dan,” I texted back, “I’ll pay you back.” His response came within seconds, filled with self-righteous triumph:
“Good. I knew you’d come to your senses.”
A man texting | Source: Pexels
Little did he know, I had something else in mind. I set up a direct debit to send him ONE penny a day. One single, solitary penny. I remember the exact moment I hit the final confirmation button on my bank’s app.
My best friend, Emily, was sitting across from me at our favorite café. She was watching my every move with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “What are you doing?” she asked, leaning over the table. “I’m paying Dan back,” I said with a grin.
Two friends having beverages at a café | Source: Pixabay
Emily’s eyebrows shot up. “How?”
“One penny a day.” Her eyes widened, and then she burst out laughing. “No way! That’s genius!” We both laughed until tears streamed down our faces! Our laughter attracted a few curious glances from other patrons. But I didn’t care.
The most exciting part about this whole thing was that I had added the reference “cheating [expletive].” It showed up with each payment made daily. This was the best plan I’d ever come up with!
Two friends laughing at a café | Source: Pexels
A week later, Dan texted me again. “What the hell, Stacy? Why am I getting pennies from you?” I couldn’t help but laugh as I read his message. “I told you I’d pay you back,” I replied. “It’ll take a while, but you’ll get your money.”
He called me immediately, his voice boiling with anger. “This isn’t funny, Stacy! I want my money NOW!”
“Well, Dan,” I said calmly, “you’re getting it. One penny at a time.”
“Stop this nonsense right now!”
“Or what? You’ll take me to court? Go ahead.”
A woman smiling while talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
I figured from now on, he’d think about me daily for the next SEVEN years since he decided to mess with me! He hung up, and I felt a surge of satisfaction. Dan had always been controlling, always needing to have the upper hand. This was the first time I felt like I had the power, and it felt AMAZING!
Months went by, and the daily penny transfers continued. Emily and I would joke about it often, wondering how long it would take before my ex finally snapped. Every time I saw that single penny deducted from my account, it felt like a small victory!
A woman smiling while looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
One day, I got another message from Dan. But this time, it wasn’t filled with anger. “Please, Stacy. Just stop this. I get it. You win.” I thought about it for a while. He had been a jerk, but did I really want to keep this up forever?
I decided it was time to end the penny payments, but not without one final touch. I withdrew the remaining amount I owed him in pennies and nickels and placed them in a small box. It was a hefty little package. I decorated it with a nice bow and included a handwritten note:
“Here’s the rest of what I owe you. Have a nice life, Dan.”
Lots of coins on a table | Source: Pixabay
I mailed it to his apartment. The thought of him opening the box, finding hundreds of pennies and nickels, and realizing he’d lost his battle filled me with immense satisfaction. A few days later, I got a message from Dan. It read, “You’re insane.”
I showed it to Emily, and we laughed until our stomachs hurt! “You know, I think he’s finally realized he messed with the wrong person,” she said, still chuckling.
Two friends laughing | Source: Pexels
In the end, this little revenge plan wasn’t just about getting back at Dan. It was about reclaiming my sense of control and humor after a relationship that had taken so much out of me. And it worked. I felt lighter, freer, and ready to move on!
Months passed, and my ex faded into a distant memory. Life was good. Emily and I graduated, and we both landed jobs in the city. One evening, while we were out celebrating a promotion, Emily raised her glass and said:
“To the best revenge plot ever executed.”
Two friends celebrating with a toast | Source: Pexels
I raised mine too, happy to be honored. “To the best friend who helped me through it,” I replied, clinking my glass against hers. And just like that, Dan and his ridiculous demands were behind me. I learned that sometimes, the best way to handle pettiness is with a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of humor!
Years after my little revenge plot, I found myself telling the story to a new friend, Jenny. She had been going through a rough breakup. But she was sharp and had a knack for turning the tables in ANY situation.
Two friends talking while working | Source: Pexels
After hearing my story, Jenny smiled and said, “You know, that gives me an idea.” I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yeah. My ex, Jake, just demanded I pay HIM back for a trip we took together. I think I can take a page out of your book.”
A few weeks later, I got a call from her. “Remember how I said I had an idea?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I told Jake I’d pay him back, too. But I set up a monthly payment of ten cents! I even made it a direct debit from my account!”
Someone using their banking details for a transaction | Source: Pexels
I laughed, remembering my own scheme. “How’s he taking it?”
“He’s FURIOUS! Keeps texting me to stop, but I remind him I’m paying him back, just like he asked.”
“Sounds like you’ve got this under control,” I replied, laughing at her ex’s misery.
“Thanks to you,” Jenny said. “I don’t feel powerless anymore.”
Two women hugging | Source: Pexels
We chatted for a while longer, sharing stories and laughing about our past relationships. Jenny’s plan wasn’t just about revenge; it was about regaining power like I had. As we ended the call, I felt a sense of pride.
Not only had I managed to turn a ridiculous demand into a source of empowerment for myself, but I’d also inspired someone else to do the same. And that felt EVEN better than the revenge itself!
A happy woman smiling | Source: Pexels
We Were About to Adopt a 5-Year-Old Boy but a Wealthy Couple Stepped in Wanting to Adopt Him Too
Adopting Nicholas was the answer to everything my husband Camden and I had dreamed of, but then a wealthy couple arrived, offering him everything we couldn’t. I feared we’d lost him — until he made a choice no one expected.
Here’s the thing: I never thought life would turn out this way. I always imagined myself in a cozy house filled with the sound of little feet running across the hardwood floors and laughter echoing through the halls.
A back view of a toddler in a diaper running in the garden | Source: Pexels
But that dream got cut short the day my doctor sat me down and said the word “infertile.” It felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me, leaving me to wonder if my marriage would even survive the weight of that news.
I was terrified Camden would leave me. After all, he had every right to want kids of his own, right? But he surprised me in the most beautiful way. He didn’t flinch. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and said, “Family isn’t just about biology. Maybe there’s another way.”
An understanding and caring man looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
And that’s when the idea of adoption took root in my heart.
We started the process slowly. Foster care visits, endless paperwork, and meetings with social workers. Camden was a rock through it all, never losing faith, even when I did. Then, one day, everything changed.
We met Nicholas.
He was five, with the biggest brown eyes and a shy smile that made my heart do flips. The moment I saw him, something inside me whispered, this is your son, Zelda.
A little boy | Source: Midjourney
He barely said a word that day, just clung to his toy truck and peeked up at us every now and then. But I could feel it. We connected in a way that went beyond words.
“Do you like trucks, buddy?” Camden asked him, crouching down to his level. Nicholas nodded, not saying a word, but his eyes lit up for just a second. That was enough for me.
Months passed, and we were so close to making him ours. The paperwork, the home visits — everything was falling into place. Then, out of nowhere, everything took a turn.
A surprised woman | Source: Midjourney
“We’ve had another family express interest in Nicholas,” our social worker, Mrs. Jameson, said one afternoon. “They’re quite wealthy and very interested in adopting him.”
My stomach dropped. “But… we’re so close. We’ve been with him for months,” I said, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.
“I understand, Zelda,” Mrs. Jameson replied. “But they have the right to apply as well. Nicholas will be given time with both families and ultimately, it will be up to him.”
A social worker talking to someone | Source: Midjourney
That’s when we met them. The Featheringhams.
They strolled into the foster home as if they owned the place — polished, perfect, with an air of entitlement that filled the room.
Mrs. Featheringham, tall and blonde, with a diamond necklace glittering around her throat, looked me up and down as if I were something unpleasant she’d found on the bottom of her shoe. Her husband stood beside her, equally well-groomed, surveying Camden and me like we were unworthy competition.
A wealthy man standing in a room | Source: Midjourney
“I have to say,” Mrs. Featheringham began, her voice dripping with condescension, “I’m surprised someone like you would think you have a chance. I mean, just look at yourself—plain, middle-class. What exactly do you have to offer Nicholas?”
I could feel the heat rising to my face, but I forced myself to stay calm. Camden’s hand tightened around mine, steadying me.
A woman looks displeased and a little angry | Source: Midjourney
She wasn’t done. “We can give Nicholas everything—the best private schools, vacations across the globe, a life of luxury. What do you have? A little house in the suburbs? What’s he going to do there, play in the backyard while you struggle to make ends meet?”
Her words were sharp, meant to cut deep, and they did. I could feel Camden tense beside me, but I held him back with a slight squeeze of his hand.
A man looking unhappy and tensed | Source: Midjourney
“We’re the kind of family a child like Nicholas deserves,” she continued, her voice cold. “You should do what’s best for him and step aside. He’ll never choose you. Why would he? Just look at the difference between us.”
Camden couldn’t hold back any longer. “We might not have all the money in the world,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “but what we can offer Nicholas is love, stability, and a real home. That’s what matters.”
Mrs. Featheringham scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Love doesn’t pay for college or vacations. Be realistic.”
A wealthy woman scoffs while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
Mrs. Jameson, sensing the rising tension, stepped in. “Both families will have a week with Nicholas. After that, he’ll make his decision.”
A week. One week to convince this little boy that we could give him the love and life he deserved.
I took a deep breath and nodded, but inside, my heart was breaking. What if Nicholas didn’t choose us?
An anxious woman | Source: Midjourney
When our week with Nicholas finally arrived, I was filled with a mix of excitement and dread. We’d heard all about his time with the Featheringhams: fancy dinners, amusement parks, and a water park.
Nicholas talked about how they’d bought him new clothes, the latest toys, and basically every child’s dream. Every time he mentioned it, I felt the hope slipping away from us.
Our week, in contrast, was far more humble — and to be honest, it seemed like everything went wrong. We had planned to take Nicholas to the zoo on our first day, thinking he’d love the animals.
A closeup shot of a lion in a zoo | Source: Pexels
But wouldn’t you know it? It rained all day. So instead, we stayed inside and built forts out of old blankets in the living room. Camden even made a “campfire” by arranging some pillows in a circle and holding a flashlight underneath them, making Nicholas giggle.
“Looks just like a real campfire, huh, buddy?” Camden asked, his voice full of hope.
Nicholas nodded, smiling shyly. “Yeah, it’s cool.”
It wasn’t flashy, and definitely not what we’d planned, but for a moment, I thought maybe it wasn’t such a disaster after all.
A smiling little boy | Source: Midjourney
The next day, we tried to take him to a local arcade, hoping to have a fun time. But almost every machine there was broken.
We ended up leaving after a few rounds of air hockey and went to the park nearby instead, sitting under a tree and playing board games we’d brought from home. Camden even found a chess set and started teaching Nicholas how to play.
“Why do all the pieces look so serious?” Nicholas asked, making me laugh.
A closeup shot of chess pieces on a chess board | Source: Pexels
“That’s because it’s a very serious game,” Camden said, leaning in like he was sharing a big secret. “But you know what? The real fun is in breaking the rules every now and then.”
Nicholas giggled as Camden made a rook do a silly dance across the board. It wasn’t what we’d planned, but we were making the best of it. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Nicholas was comparing our simple activities to the extravagant week he’d spent with the Featheringhams.
A little boy riding a carousel | Source: Pexels
By midweek, we decided to have a picnic. We figured it was a safe, easy plan, something that couldn’t possibly go wrong. But sure enough, as soon as we sat down and opened the basket, a swarm of ants decided to join us. Nicholas squealed as they crawled over the sandwiches, and we had to scramble to pack everything up.
“Guess ants like peanut butter more than we do,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Nicholas grinned. “Can we eat somewhere else?”
A happy little boy | Source: Midjourney
We ended up at a little diner around the corner, sitting in a booth and sharing sandwiches and fries. Camden told Nicholas funny stories about his childhood, like the time he’d fallen into a lake trying to catch frogs. Nicholas laughed so hard that he nearly spilled his soda.
Day after day, our plans fell apart, but something surprising happened along the way. Nicholas didn’t seem to mind. By the end of the week, he was holding our hands as we walked around the neighborhood. He laughed with us, even when things didn’t go perfectly.
A woman and a little boy smile while hanging outdoors | Source: Midjourney
One night, during a movie, he curled up on the couch and fell asleep in my lap, his tiny hand resting on mine. It felt so natural, like he belonged there.
On the last night of our week together, Camden and I were both quiet as we watched Nicholas sleep. I could see the worry in Camden’s eyes, even though he tried to hide it.
“I don’t know, Z,” he whispered. “What if it’s not enough? What if we’re not enough?”
A sad and worried man | Source: Midjourney
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I think… I think we’ve shown him what really matters.”
Camden nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t convinced. And to be honest, neither was I.
Then came the final day. The day Nicholas had to choose.
We sat in a small room at the foster home, Camden and I on one side, the Featheringhams on the other. Nicholas sat beside Mrs. Jameson, the social worker, looking down at his hands.
A quiet little boy | Source: Midjourney
Mrs. Featheringham didn’t waste any time. “Nicholas, darling,” she cooed, “we had such a wonderful time, didn’t we? Remember the water park? The toys we bought you? Imagine living with us, having everything you could ever want.
Nicholas nodded, glancing at us. My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.
“And remember,” she continued, “we can take you on vacations, send you to the best schools… you’d never want for anything, sweetheart.”
A wealthy and self-assured woman is looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. How could we possibly compete with all of that? What could we offer him that they couldn’t?
Mrs. Jameson turned to Nicholas. “Nicholas, it’s your decision. Take your time.”
He looked up, his little face serious. “I had fun with them,” he said softly, referring to the Featheringhams. “The places we went to were cool. And… and they gave me lots of toys.”
I felt Camden’s grip on my hand tighten, but I kept my eyes on Nicholas, my heart sinking with each word.
A little boy playing with toys | Source: Midjourney
“But…” Nicholas paused, looking directly at us. “But I feel like I have a family when I’m with them.”
The room went silent.
He pointed at Camden and me. “They don’t take me to big places or give me lots of stuff… but I feel happy when I’m with them. And I feel safe. And I like the stories they tell me. It feels like home.”
A cheerful little boy | Source: Midjourney
My breath caught in my throat. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Camden looked just as shocked.
Nicholas smiled at us shyly. “I want to stay with them.”
For a moment, no one spoke. Mrs. Featheringham’s face tightened, but she didn’t say anything. Mrs. Jameson smiled warmly.
“Then that’s settled,” she said softly.
Nicholas chose us.
I blinked back tears as Camden wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. We had worried, doubted, and feared that we weren’t enough.
A happy couple sharing a hug | Source: Midjourney
But in the end, love, trust, and the simple moments had been enough. Nicholas didn’t want a life of luxury; he wanted a family.
And he had found that with us.
If this story tugged at your heartstrings, here’s another one that you might like even more: Larriel moves into a fancy neighborhood with her two sons, hoping for a fresh start. But whispers and cold stares follow them as the neighbors forbid their children from playing with her boys. One unexpected act of bravery, however, changes everything…
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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