Lisa worked tirelessly to afford a dream trip to Maui, only for her husband, Wade, to give her ticket to his mommy instead. Stunned but seething, Lisa starts planning the ultimate payback — one that will ensure his vacation is unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
I stared at the Maui resort website, my cursor hovering over the “Book Now” button like it was the detonator to a happiness bomb.
A woman staring thoughtfully at her laptop screen | Source: Midjourney
The photos showed pristine beaches, infinity pools, and those little umbrellas in coconut drinks that screamed “vacation.”
After a year of endless work and juggling the kids’ schedules with the precision of a circus performer, I needed this break like a caffeine addict needs their morning coffee.
I let out a sigh of relief as I clicked the button. The confirmation page popped up with a cheerful ding, and I let loose with a little victorious air punch. I was finally getting my dream vacation!
A happy woman looking at a laptop screen | Source: Midjourney
Wade and I had agreed to split the cost fifty-fifty. I’d convinced him we needed a real vacation in January and had been working hard to make it happen all year.
I’d planned everything down to the minute: beachfront resort, sunset sail, snorkeling with sea turtles. I even scheduled in “spontaneous” relaxation time, because that’s the kind of control freak I’d become.
The kids were thrilled about staying with my sister, Jane, for the week we’d be away.
Happy siblings on a sofa | Source: Midjourney
“Mom,” my 13-year-old Emma had said, “Aunt Jane said she’ll give us ice cream for breakfast!”
I pretended to be scandalized, but honestly, Jane could feed them moon rocks for all I cared. This vacation was my light at the end of a very long, very dark, very exhausting tunnel.
One week before our flight, all my dreams of relaxing on the beach came crashing down around me.
A woman with a serious expression | Source: Midjourney
Wade’s mom was coming for dinner, so I was in the kitchen dishing up her special lasagna. She’d given me the recipe a year ago with great fanfare, like she was conveying a great honor. It was just regular lasagna with extra garlic and oregano.
I heard the front door open, and my mother-in-law’s distinctive perfume arrived about three seconds before she did.
“Something smells wonderful!” Carol’s voice carried through the house like a foghorn of impending doom.
A woman striding down a home corridor | Source: Midjourney
She swept into the kitchen, designer purse swinging from her arm like a weapon. She scanned the kitchen, frowned, and then leaned out into the hall.
“Wade, honey, your wife is plating dinner already. Why aren’t you here to welcome me?”
I bit my tongue so hard that I probably needed stitches.
“Sorry, Mom, I was packing a few things. We’ve got some exciting news,” Wade announced as he bounded into the room like an overeager golden retriever. “We booked a trip to Maui!”
Carol’s face lit up like a Christmas tree on steroids.
A mature woman grinning in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, sweetie! You’re so wonderful for planning such a lovely vacation.” She turned to me with a dismissive glance that could have frozen Hawaii itself. “You’re lucky to have my Wade. He’s always been such a caring soul.”
“Actually,” I started to say, “I was the one who—”
“You know,” Carol interrupted, sinking into a kitchen chair with a dramatic sigh worthy of a soap opera, “I’ve been so exhausted lately. Retirement isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. All those bridge club meetings, and my garden needs so much attention…”
A mature woman sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney
I turned away so Carol wouldn’t see me roll my eyes. She’d never once offered to watch the kids during their various illnesses, school events, or even that time I had the flu and was hallucinating that the kitchen sponge was giving me financial advice.
But somehow her life was always so hard… yeah, right. Carol was just one of those people who thought having life problems was a competitive sport.
I suppressed a sigh as we all sat down to eat.
A plate of lasagna on a table | Source: Pexels
Carol droned on about how exhausted she was and how much she wished she could also enjoy a “fancy getaway.”
I just nodded occasionally and tried not to groan, but Wade was drinking it all up.
Toward the end of dinner, Wade cleared his throat and turned to me.
“Hey, honey, I was thinking…”
He had that look again, the one that meant I should probably start looking up countries with no extradition treaties.
“Why don’t you let Mom take your ticket?”
A man speaking to someone during dinner | Source: Midjourney
I nearly choked on my garlic bread.
“Wade,” I said carefully, my voice shaking with the restraint of a saint, “I worked my butt off all year to save for this trip. I’m exhausted. I need this break more than I need oxygen right now.”
He shrugged, like I was complaining about the weather instead of the grand theft of my sanity vacation.
“A lot of women work these days,” he said. “It’s your choice. But you heard my mom… she could really use a break. Don’t make this a big deal.”
A man speaking during dinner at home | Source: Midjourney
“I worked my whole life for my son and never complained,” Carol chimed in, dabbing at nonexistent tears with her perfectly manicured fingers.
I looked at Wade, really looked at him, and something inside me snapped like a rubber band that had been stretched way too far. Six years of marriage crystallized into perfect clarity.
This wasn’t about the vacation. This was about every birthday dinner he’d insisted we spend with his mother, every decision that somehow always ended with Carol getting her way, and how she still called Wade her “precious baby boy” even though he was in his 30s.
Close up of a woman staring ahead with wide eyes | Source: Midjourney
I forced my lips into a smile. “Sure, Wade. Take your mom. I’ll figure something else out.”
They both beamed, thinking they’d won. But I was already planning my revenge, and it was going to be more satisfying than all the spa treatments in Hawaii combined.
Over the next few days, I became very busy with my laptop, cackling like a witch over her cauldron.
The five-star resort? Downgraded to a budget hotel miles from the beach, with one queen bed and a mysterious stain on the carpet that the reviews said might be sentient.
A woman cackling while using her laptop | Source: Midjourney
The sunset sail and snorkeling? Canceled faster than a bad Netflix series. Instead, I booked them fascinating activities like “The History of Pineapple Farming: A Four-Hour Lecture Series” and “Traditional Hat Weaving: A Five-Hour Workshop with Bonus Meditation.”
Their first-class flights became economy middle seats, separated by three rows, right next to the bathrooms.
But that wasn’t all I had planned.
A woman smirking while using her laptop | Source: Midjourney
I also found a lawyer and filed for divorce.
By the time Wade left for the airport, I was ready to move forward with the next stage. I packed his things into suitcases and lined them up in the hallway like soldiers of liberation. The note I left took only minutes to write, but I’d been composing it in my head for days.
Dear Wade,
In these suitcases, you’ll find all your belongings — well, at least the ones worth keeping. I need a break, not just from our “marriage,” but from your mom’s constant meddling and your eternal cluelessness.
Feel free to unpack at her place. I’m sure she’ll love having her little boy back full-time.
Best wishes,
Your ex-wife
Suitcases in an entrance hall | Source: Pexels
Then I treated myself to some online shopping: one ticket for a luxury Mediterranean cruise. The refunds from all those canceled Maui activities more than covered it.
I was folding clothes into my suitcase, practicing my “lounging on deck” pose, when my phone exploded with Wade’s ringtone.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” His voice cracked with fury. “It’s so selfish! This hotel is a dump, and the flight was a nightmare!”
A smug woman on a phone call | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I thought you’d love it! A nice quiet room, some quality mother-son bonding over hat weaving… But wait until you see the surprise I arranged for when you get back.”
“What surprise? Lisa? LISA!”
I hung up, smiling like the cat who not only got the cream but also started a successful dairy company. The divorce papers were scheduled for delivery to Carol’s house the day they returned.
By then, I’d be somewhere off the Italian coast, eating authentic pasta and sipping champagne.
A cruise ship close to land | Source: Pexels
A few months have passed since all of this happened. The divorce was finalized smoothly and these days, I’m happily single and planning my next adventure to Disney World with the kids.
Wade is still living with his mommy, and from the sounds of things, has no plans to move out anytime soon. The kids visit him every second weekend, and I make sure to smile and wave whenever I see Carol.
Once, I even got to ask if she enjoyed her hat-weaving workshop.
A woman standing beside her car waving her hand | Source: Midjourney
Sometimes the best vacations are the ones you take by yourself — especially when they lead you exactly where you need to be.
And sometimes, the sweetest revenge isn’t served cold: it’s a pineapple farming lecture with a side of hat weaving.
Single Mom Treats Her Daughter to a Birthday Meal, Surprised to Discover the Bill Was Already Settled
Kate had been saving money for her daughter’s birthday. She prepared everything her daughter would want, even if it meant going way over her budget. She never wanted her daughter to feel anything less than special. But when she saw the bill, she realized she had gotten in over her head this time.
Kate walked hand-in-hand with her daughter, Holly, toward the restaurant, the cool evening air filled with the hum of excitement.
Holly’s favorite restaurant wasn’t far, and her little feet almost skipped with joy as she looked up at her mother, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Mom, are you serious? Can we really go here?” Holly’s voice trembled with excitement, her gaze fixed on the bright lights of the restaurant sign ahead.
“Yes, my dear,” Kate replied, squeezing her daughter’s hand gently and offering a warm, reassuring smile.
“And I can order ice cream?”
Holly’s smile grew even bigger, her face lighting up as though this was the best news she had ever heard.
“You can order whatever you want,” Kate said, her heart filling with happiness at being able to give her daughter this special treat.
Being a single mother had been difficult for Kate ever since her husband passed away. Balancing a job that barely paid enough while taking care of Holly had been a daily struggle.
Money was always tight, and there were many sacrifices, but Kate was determined to make sure Holly never felt like she was missing out on love or happiness.
She had been saving up for this dinner for months, wanting to give Holly a birthday she would always remember.
As they stepped into the restaurant, Holly’s excitement was nearly impossible to contain.
She rushed ahead to the table, bouncing on her toes as she scanned the menu eagerly. At just eight years old, she was old enough to recognize that tonight was different.
Usually, meals out were simple and rare, reserved for special occasions like good report cards or holidays. But tonight, her mother had given her the magical gift of being able to order whatever her heart desired.
Holly’s small hands flipped through the menu, trying to decide between all the delicious options.
Before she could make a choice, a group of waiters appeared, singing a cheerful rendition of “Happy Birthday” as they carried a towering cake with candles glowing brightly.
Holly’s eyes grew wide with wonder, her smile stretching from ear to ear as the cake was placed in front of her.
Kate watched the scene unfold, her heart swelling with pride and joy. Seeing her daughter’s face light up made every penny she had saved worth it.
Holly eagerly dug into the cake, tasting new flavors she had never had before, and Kate couldn’t help but smile at how much her daughter was enjoying this special evening.
For a moment, Kate forgot about the financial struggles, the hard work, and the sacrifices.
All that mattered was Holly’s happiness, and tonight, her daughter was the happiest little girl in the world.
As Holly savored her cake, her face glowing with delight, a waiter approached Kate quietly, a serious expression on his face.
He gestured for her to step aside. Kate’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of unease creeping in. She excused herself and followed him to a more private corner of the restaurant.
“Ma’am, the price for your order is going to be double what we discussed,” the waiter said softly, his voice low but firm.
Kate froze, her heart plummeting.
“Double? Why? We agreed on a $300, and I saved carefully for this,” she responded, panic bubbling up in her voice.
“The recipe for the cake you ordered has changed, and now the ingredients are more expensive. You will have to pay the full amount, $600,” the waiter explained, his expression unreadable.
Kate felt a wave of shock wash over her. How could they change the price like that, without even warning her? Her thoughts raced, calculating the little she had left after saving for months just to make this night special for Holly.
Her throat tightened, and she swallowed hard. “$600 for a cake?! But… I can’t afford it,” she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and embarrassment.
The waiter’s calm demeanor didn’t change, but his words felt like ice.
“If you don’t pay, we’ll have no choice but to call the police.”
Kate’s chest tightened, and she felt a lump rising in her throat. The fear of ruining Holly’s birthday, the shame of being unable to pay, and the threat of involving the police all rushed through her mind at once.
She nodded weakly, trying to maintain her composure. She didn’t want Holly to see her like this.
With trembling hands, Kate returned to the table, forcing a smile for Holly, who was still joyfully devouring her cake, oblivious to the storm brewing inside her mother. Kate’s heart was heavy, her thoughts swirling with panic.
She had wanted everything to be perfect, to give Holly a birthday filled with laughter and joy. But now, it seemed like everything was crumbling before her eyes.
Sitting down, she watched Holly enjoy the treat, her innocent happiness lighting up the room.
Forcing herself to keep it together, Kate knew she had to figure out how to handle this situation, but for now, she could only watch Holly’s smile, pretending everything was okay when it was far from it.
When it was time to leave, Kate felt her heart pounding as she asked Holly to wait by the door. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what she could do.
She knew she couldn’t afford to pay the full amount, but she had to handle this situation without letting Holly know.
Taking a deep breath, Kate approached the waiter. Her hands were trembling as she spoke, her voice cracking with emotion.
“Please,” she began, “I can’t pay the full price. But I’m willing to work for it. I can wash dishes, clean, or do whatever you need me to do. Just please don’t call the police. And please… don’t tell my daughter.”
The waiter stood there for a moment, looking at Kate with an unreadable expression. She could feel the seconds stretching into what felt like forever. She held her breath, terrified of what he might say.
But then, to her surprise, his expression softened. “Ma’am,” he said gently, his voice calm, “there’s no need for that. The bill has already been paid.”
Kate blinked, hardly believing what she’d just heard. “Paid? By who?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
“A woman,” the waiter replied, glancing toward the door. “She came in earlier. She asked to cover your bill, and she left just a few minutes ago.”
Tears of relief sprang to Kate’s eyes. She could hardly process the kindness of this stranger. Who would do such a thing, and why? “Do you know who she was?” Kate asked, her voice thick with emotion.
The waiter pointed toward the exit.
“She was wearing a white coat. I saw her leave just a little while ago.”
Without hesitating, Kate rushed outside, her heart pounding with gratitude and disbelief. Scanning the street, she finally spotted the woman in the white coat, walking away calmly. Kate broke into a run, calling out after her.
“Excuse me!” she shouted, her voice filled with urgency and gratitude. “Wait, please!”
The woman turned, and as Kate approached her, she was overwhelmed by the simple act of kindness that had saved her from an impossible situation.
Kate finally caught up to the woman, her heart pounding. She reached out and gently touched her arm. “Excuse me, ma’am,” she said, breathless and still overwhelmed by the situation. “Did you… Did you pay for our meal?”
The woman turned around slowly, her face soft and kind, with a gentle smile that immediately put Kate at ease. “Yes,” she replied warmly. “But there’s no need to thank me.”
Kate shook her head in disbelief, her voice trembling with emotion. “Why? Why would you do that for us?”
The woman’s eyes softened further as she gazed at Kate. “I’m a mother too,” she said quietly, her voice filled with compassion.
“Years ago, I was in a situation much like yours. Money was always tight, and I had to tell my children ‘no’ more often than I would’ve liked. I still remember the guilt I felt, wishing I could do more for them.”
The woman paused, her face clouding with old memories.
“But now, I’m in a better place financially. I can finally afford things I couldn’t back then, but I can`t turn back time and my children kids again. They will never have their happy childhood because of me.”
Kate stood there, listening, tears welling up in her eyes. The woman’s words touched her deeply, resonating with her own struggles.
She had worked so hard to give Holly the best she could, and hearing that someone else understood made the burden feel a little lighter.
The woman smiled gently and continued,
“Your daughter won’t remember the money you spent tonight, Kate. What she’ll remember is how loved and special she felt. That’s what matters. Childhood is precious, and you’re giving her memories she’ll carry for the rest of her life.”
Kate could hardly speak, her voice barely a whisper as she said, “Thank you… You have no idea how much this means to me.”
The woman gave a soft smile and nodded.
“One day, you’ll be in a position to help someone else. And when that day comes, you’ll know what to do. That’s how the world works.”
As the woman turned and walked away, Kate stood there, feeling a profound sense of gratitude and warmth. She watched her disappear into the evening, and for the first time in a long while, she felt lighter.
Returning to the restaurant, Kate gathered Holly, who was still full of excitement from her birthday celebration.
As they headed out, Kate’s heart was no longer heavy with worry. Instead, she felt at peace, knowing that the world still had kindness in it—and that one day, she would pass that kindness on to someone else.
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