I thought my husband would be there for me when my mom passed away, but instead, he chose a vacation to Hawaii over my grief. Devastated, I faced the funeral alone. But when he returned, he walked into a situation he never expected—a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget. I was at work when the doctor’s number flashed on my phone, and somehow, I knew what was coming. My heart sank even before I answered. Mom was gone. Just like that. One minute she was fighting a minor lung infection, and the next… nothing. My world stopped making sense.
I don’t remember much after that. One moment I was sitting in my cubicle, and the next I was home, fumbling with my keys, eyes blurred with tears. John’s car was in the driveway, another one of his “work-from-home” days, which usually meant ESPN muted in the background while he pretended to answer emails.“John?” My voice echoed through the house. “I need you.” He stepped into the kitchen, holding a coffee mug, looking mildly annoyed. “What’s wrong? You look terrible.” I tried to speak, but the words got tangled in my throat. I reached out to him, desperate for comfort. He sighed and gave me a quick, awkward pat on the back, like he was consoling a distant acquaintance. “My mom… she died, John. Mom’s gone.” His grip tightened for a moment. “Oh, wow. That’s… I’m sorry.” Then, just as quickly, he pulled away. “Do you want me to order takeout?
Maybe Thai?” I nodded, numb. The next day, reality hit hard. There was so much to handle—planning the funeral, notifying family, and dealing with a lifetime of memories. As I sat at the kitchen table, buried in lists, I remembered our planned vacation. “John, we’ll need to cancel Hawaii,” I said, looking up from my phone. “The funeral will probably be next week, and—” “Cancel?”
He lowered his newspaper, frowning. “Edith, those tickets were non-refundable. We’d lose a lot of money. Besides, I’ve already booked my golf games.” I stared at him, stunned. “John, my mother just died.” He folded the newspaper with the kind of precision that told me he was more irritated than concerned. “I get that you’re upset, but funerals are for family. I’m just your husband—your cousins won’t even notice I’m not there. You can handle things here, and you know I’m not great with emotional stuff.” It felt like I’d been punched in the gut. “Just my husband?” “You know what I mean,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze and adjusting his tie. “Besides, someone should use those tickets. You can text me if you need anything.” I felt like I was seeing him clearly for the first time in 15 years of marriage. The week that followed was a blur. John occasionally offered a stiff pat on the shoulder or suggested I watch a comedy to lift my mood. But when the day of the funeral came, he was on a plane to Hawaii, posting Instagram stories of sunsets and cocktails. “#LivingMyBestLife,” one caption read. Meanwhile, I buried my mother alone on a rainy Thursday. That night, sitting in an empty house, surrounded by untouched sympathy casseroles, something snapped inside me. I had spent years making excuses for John’s emotional absence. “He’s just not a feelings person,” I would say. “He shows his love in other ways.” But I was done pretending.I called my friend Sarah, a realtor. “Can you list the house for me? Oh, and include John’s Porsche in the deal.” “His Porsche? Eddie, he’ll lose it!” “That’s the point.” The next morning, “potential buyers” started showing up. I sat in the kitchen, sipping coffee, watching as they circled John’s beloved car. When his Uber finally pulled into the driveway, I couldn’t help but smile. It was showtime. John stormed in, face flushed. “Edith, what the hell? People are asking about my car!” “Oh, that. I’m selling the house. The Porsche is a great bonus, don’t you think?”He sputtered, pulling out his phone. “This is insane! I’ll call Sarah right now!” “Go ahead,” I said sweetly. “Maybe you can tell her about your fabulous vacation. How was the beach?” Realization slowly dawned across his face. “This… is this some kind of payback? Did I do something wrong?” I stood, letting my anger finally surface. “You abandoned me when I needed you most. I’m just doing what you do: looking out for myself. After all, I’m just your wife, right?” John spent the next hour frantically trying to shoo away buyers, while begging me to reconsider. By the time Sarah texted that her friends had run out of patience, I let him off the hook—sort of. “Fine. I won’t sell the house or the car.” I paused. “This time.” He sagged with relief. “Thank you, Edith. I—” I held up my hand. “But things are going to change. I needed my husband, and you weren’t there. You’re going to start acting like a partner, or next time, the For Sale sign will be real.” He looked ashamed, finally understanding the gravity of his actions. “What can I do to make this right?” “You can start by showing up. Be a partner, not a roommate. I lost my mother, John. That kind of grief isn’t something you can fix with a vacation or a fancy dinner.” He nodded. “I don’t know how to be the man you need, but I love you, and I want to try.” It’s not perfect now. John still struggles with emotions, but he’s going to therapy, and last week, for the first time, he asked me how I was feeling about Mom. He listened while I talked about how much I missed her calls and how I sometimes still reach for the phone, only to remember she’s not there. He even opened up a little about his own feelings. It’s progress. Baby steps. I often wonder what Mom would say about all this. I can almost hear her chuckling, shaking her head. “That’s my girl,” she’d say. “Never let them see you sweat. Just show them the ‘For Sale’ sign instead.” Because if there’s one thing she taught me, it’s that strength comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s pushing through the pain, and sometimes it’s knowing when to push back.
I Served a Rich Couple on a Plane, Next Day My Mom Introduced Me to Her Young Fiancé from the Same Plane — Story of the Day
Kristi tended to a rich couple in business class who were very affectionate with each other. The next day, she was shocked to discover the same man engaged to her mother. Kristi knew she had to act, but had no idea what she was about to unleash.
High above the clouds in the business class part of a commercial plane, Kristi, in her crisp flight attendant uniform, walked the aisle with practiced grace.
She stopped by a couple nestled by the window, absorbed in their private world. The man, in a sharply tailored suit, presented a small velvet box to the woman, whose eyes lit up like the 4th of July.
As he opened it, a delicate necklace gleamed, its stones scattering prismatic colors across their seats. Kristi’s eyes widened, and she paused her rounds for a second.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“May I, my gorgeous Isabella?” the man whispered to his companion, excitement coloring his voice. The woman nodded, her cheeks blushing as she lifted her hair for him to clasp the necklace.
“That’s a lovely shade of lipstick,” the woman said, turning her attention to Kristi with a warm smile.
Flustered and touched, Kristi touched her lips. “Thank you, it’s my favorite,” she replied, stuttering at being caught snooping.
The man smiled up at Kristi, offering her a generous tip. “Thank you for making this flight special,” he said sincerely.
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“It’s my pleasure. Enjoy your journey together,” Kristi responded, her heart fluttering as she moved on, the couple’s joy lingering in her mind.
***
The next day was her only day off that weekend, and Kristi had promised to visit her mother. Upon arriving, the older woman grabbed her arm and introduced her to Edwin, her new fiancé.
Except, he was none other than the man from the plane who had given another, younger woman a beautiful diamond necklace. Kristi’s shock froze her, but she schooled her expression.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kristi. Your mother has told me so much about you,” Edwin said smoothly, offering his hand as if they had never met.
“Nice to meet you too,” she replied cautiously, playing along for her mother’s sake.
Edwin then took over the kitchen, whipping up a meal with the flair of a seasoned chef. “It’s my way of showing care,” he explained, serving dishes with ease.
As they ate, Edwin regaled them with stories from his travels, yet he only responded vaguely when Kristi probed further into his past.
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It only made things worse, but she wasn’t sure what to say to her mother. Could she be wrong about him?
After dinner, Kristi decided to take her mother outside, hoping the air would clear her mind.
***
The cool breeze of the terrace was exactly what she needed before asking some tough questions. “Mom, what do you really know about Edwin?” Kristi asked carefully.
“He’s wonderful. A billionaire, a diamond tycoon’s son. He’s shown me such a glamorous life,” her mother replied, eyes shining. “We’ll be married in just a few days!”
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“Mom, I know this is going to sound strange, but I swear I saw him on a recent flight with another woman, now suddenly he’s with you and getting married,” Kristi pressed.
Her mother frowned. “Why are you lying? Can’t you be happy for me? Edwin loves me. You just don’t want me to be with another man after your father’s death.”
“That’s not it! Doesn’t his quick move seem odd?” Kristi argued.
“Odd? No, it’s romantic. You’re too young to understand. Edwin is all about love,” her mother shook her head.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
Kristi sighed. “Mom, please think about it. He could be a scammer. That act on the plane… he’s like a Casanova.”
“Scammer? Kristi, that’s ridiculous. Edwin is a good man!” her mother defended.
“I just don’t want to see you lose everything to a man we barely know,” Kristi said, desperately trying to make her understand.
But at that moment, Edwin appeared, drinks in hand.“Ladies, let’s celebrate,” he said cheerfully, and Kristi’s mother excused herself for a second.
Kristi frowned at Edwin once they were alone and couldn’t hold back any longer.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
“How can you manipulate my mother’s feelings?” she demanded, exposing everything she saw him doing on the plane.
Edwin’s smile faltered. “Kristi, I only want your mother’s happiness. No need for hostility.”
She scoffed and poured a drink over his head. “You think you’re clever, but I see through you. I won’t let you hurt my mother,” she declared firmly. “You’re a fraud!”
Her mother appeared, and her eyes bulged at the orange slice that was still dripping from Edwin’s face. “Kristi, how could you? Edwin, I’m so sorry…”
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Edwin reassured her. “It’s alright. Let’s not let this ruin our evening.”
Kristi’s frown deepened as her mother tended to the scammer, and she realized there was no way to win that night. Still, she knew she had to prove Edwin’s true nature to protect her mother.
It would just take some time.
That’s when she remembered an important detail from the day of the flight where she saw Edwin…and Isabella.
***
Kristi paced outside the airline office, gathering her courage before entering. At the front desk, a cheerful representative greeted her. “Good morning! How can I assist you today?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
“I need to see the passenger list from my last flight. It’s important,” Kristi said, stumbling over her words.
“That’s confidential. May I ask why you need it?” the representative asked, her brow furrowing.
Kristi tried to hide her nervousness as she said, “A passenger left something valuable. I want to help return it.”
“Okay, I can’t show you the list, but I can help if you give me more details,” the representative said, leading Kristi to a private office.
Once seated, Kristi explained that a passenger named Isabella lost her jewelry and was talking about it as they disembarked.
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The representative confirmed the Lost & Found department had received Isabella’s missing item report, and they had, in fact, found the jewelry.
“Could I return it to her myself? It might mean more coming from someone who was on the flight,” Kristi asked.
After signing a release form, Kristi received Isabella’s jewelry and contact details. She called the strange woman, arranging to meet the next day in a hotel lobby.
***
Kristi approached Isabella, the same woman Edwin was affectionate with on her last flight, in a beautiful hotel coffee shop and was recognized immediately.
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“You were the flight attendant on my last trip, weren’t you?” Isabella asked, surprised.
“Yes, that was me. It’s a small world.”
Kristi went right into it, telling her about Edwin, her suspicions, and everything else she knew. The young woman frowned, frustrated.
“I knew something was off. Edwin asked me for a large sum of money for an emergency. I trusted him, and I’m supposed to meet him soon to give it to him,” Isabella revealed, leaning back and crossing her arms.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
Kristi told her that was their chance to expose him. “We can set up a scenario to catch him. We’ll record everything. I’ll disguise myself; he won’t recognize me,” she planned.
Isabella agreed, and they spent the next hour devising their strategy, focusing on every detail and potential reaction from Edwin.
As Kristi left the coffee shop, she felt nervous but resolved. The plan was set, and together, they were going to save her mother.
***
In a dimly lit upscale restaurant where Isabella had arranged to meet Edwin and give him the money he asked for, the young woman waited, twirling her wine glass.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
Meanwhile, Kristi was disguised as a waitress and watched from across the room as Edwin entered confidently and greeted Isabella.
“Isabella, my dear, sorry to keep you waiting,” he said, sitting down.
Kristi approached their table to take their order, and Isabella played along perfectly, suggesting they celebrate with red wine.
“Excellent choice,” Edwin agreed, keeping his eyes on Isabella. Kristi quickly brought the wine, her heart racing with each step.
“That’ll be all, thank you,” Edwin said, looking only briefly at Kristi. It wasn’t enough to notice who she was. His attention quickly turned back to his date.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
As they sipped their wine, Isabella suggested that instead of giving him money, she could give him a gift, something more tangible like jewelry as he had been so generous to give her diamonds.
Intrigued, Edwin pulled out his phone to show her some options, from Cartier and Rolex watches to designer clothes.
As soon as his phone was on the table, Kristi saw her chance. She pretended to refill their wine glasses and accidentally spilled some on Edwin’s shirt.
“Damn it! My shirt!” he exclaimed, jumping up in irritation.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
“It’s just an accident, Edwin. Let’s not make a scene,” Isabella calmed him, giving Kristi a discreet nod.
Kristi apologized profusely, then hurried away, claiming she needed to fetch club soda and napkins.
She had swapped Edwin’s unlocked phone during the commotion with a temporary decoy, and rushed to the restroom to check the real phone.
After searching for a few minutes, Kristi discovered Edwin’s active dating profile and flirtatious messages similar to those he’d sent her mother.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
Not the undeniable proof she hoped for, but troubling all the same. Therefore, Kristi started typing a message, making a last-ditch effort to trap Edwin.
Suddenly, a knock startled her. “I know you’re in there with my phone! Come out now!” Edwin shouted from outside.
“I’m calling the police!” he declared, his voice stern and urgent.
Kristi stood, phone in hand, heart pounding. She opened the stall door to face Edwin in a tense standoff. He lunged for the phone, but Kristi dodged him.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
“Stay back!” she warned, her back against the cold restroom wall.
“Give me my phone, or you’ll regret it!” Edwin cornered her, his hand reaching out. Kristi screamed, hoping someone would come to her aid and bracing for what might happen next.
***
In a sterile police station, Kristi sat under the cold glare of fluorescent lights.
“You’re lucky Mr. Edwin hasn’t pressed charges,” a stern officer warned, “Consider this your only warning.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
Kristi nodded, her voice small. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“Good intentions don’t always lead to good actions,” the cop replied before walking away.
Just then, her mother burst through the doors, her face etched with disappointment. “Kristi, this isn’t the daughter I raised,” she declared, her voice thick with emotion.
“Mom, I was trying to protect you from Edwin,” Kristi explained, looking down.
“Protect me by breaking the law?” her mother retorted sharply. “You’ve gone too far.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
An officer intervened. “Mr. Edwin had filed a restraining order. Any further actions will lead to arrest.”
Kristi closed her eyes, but her mother didn’t give her any reprieve.
“I don’t want to see you anymore. Learn from this. Goodbye, Kristi,” the older woman said before leaving.
***
Kristi returned to the same hotel where she had met Isabella and sat at the lobby bar. While nursing a stiff drink, Isabella slid next to her.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
“I heard about what happened. I’m sorry,” she sighed, linking her fingers on the bar surface.
“Thanks,” Kristi said, half-smiling. “But before everything went down, I changed Edwin’s password on the dating site.”
“That’s brilliant,” Isabella responded, intrigued. “We can use that. Let’s warn the other women.”
Kristi laughed as they logged into Edwin’s dating profile together, crafting many messages to alert his targets.
“Beware of Edwin. He’s not who he claims to be. Protect your heart and your wallet,” Kristi typed steadily.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
Their initial laughter faded into a determined silence as they saw how far this man would go to scam women off their one.
It was late at night when Isabella closed her laptop and squeezed Kristi’s hand.
“And just think, what we’ve started tonight is only the beginning. Edwin has no idea what’s coming for him. Wait until the wedding—it’s going to be unforgettable!”
***
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the city chapel as Edwin, clad in a sharp black tuxedo, prepared to marry Kristi’s mother.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
However, he didn’t know that today was the last time he would ever get away with his Casanova scam.
Kristi watched from the trees, her heart pounding as the ceremony began. Suddenly, an unusual murmur spread through the crowd.
Heels clicked on the floor as one woman, then another, and dozens more converged at the chapel. All were women Edwin had deceived.
A woman in a bright red dress yelled, “Scammer!” Her voice cut through the ceremony’s solemnity.
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Edwin frowned, his confusion turning to horror as he recognized her and others.
“He’s a liar!” shouted another.
“You won’t get away with this!” added a third.
The ceremony descended into chaos. One woman smashed a piece of the wedding cake into Edwin’s face, covering him with cream.
He started fleeing down the aisle, but a guest tripped him, sending him sprawling into a flower bed.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pixabay
The women swarmed, using handbags, shoes, and floral arrangements to exact their vengeance, shouting accusations.
The police eventually intervened, clearing the crowd and leading a disheveled Edwin away. As calm returned, the chapel buzzed with hushed conversations and occasional sobs.
Kristi stepped out from her hiding spot just as her mother exited the chapel, tears falling from her face. The older woman shook her head at her and got into a car.
Her mother was too proud to admit she was wrong. But Kristi would wait and give her enough time to grieve. In the meantime, she would make sure Edwin felt the full extent of the law.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock
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