I planned our family vacation, hoping it would be a chance to bond with my husband and son. Instead, it led me to a betrayal that turned our perfect getaway into a nightmare. What happened there was something I’ll never forget.
Family vacations are supposed to bring you closer together, right? At least, that’s what I’d always believed.
But this time, what started as a cherished family tradition became the worst time of my life.
A woman at the beach | Source: Midjourney
Being a working mom has never been easy, but I’ve always prided myself on finding the balance between career and family.
My job keeps me so busy that I sometimes arrive home long after dinner has been eaten and the lights have been dimmed.
Despite that, I’ve always ensured my family had everything they needed.
A woman standing in the hallway | Source: Midjourney
My husband, Mark, also used to have a steady job, but things changed when he got laid off a couple of years ago. He picked up odd jobs here and there, contributing what he could, but the bulk of our household expenses landed squarely on my shoulders.
Honestly, I didn’t mind. That’s what you do for your family, right?
But lately, I’d started noticing the cracks.
A woman looking at her husband | Source: Midjourney
My job left me with less time to connect with Mark because he’d already be asleep by the time I got home, making me feel we were growing apart.
However, I didn’t think much about it. I thought we’d reconnect on our annual vacation.
Our annual vacation is a tradition we’ve kept alive through the years. No matter how tough things got financially, we always set aside time to escape for a few days together.
A couple holding their bags | Source: Pexels
It was something I cherished because I saw it as a chance to reconnect as a family and make memories that would last a lifetime.
This year, I wanted the trip to be extra special. Especially because lately, Mark had been struggling to find a decent job. I thought this would cheer him up.
“We need this,” I told Mark one evening after a particularly grueling day at work. “A few days away from everything, just the three of us.”
“But I don’t have a job, and—”
“No buts,” I said. “I’ll take care of everything. And I’m sure you’ll land a job when you return from the trip with a fresh mind. Don’t worry, okay?”
“Okay,” he smiled. “Thank you for all that you do for us. I’m sure Eric will love the trip too.”
A man sitting in his house | Source: Midjourney
Our son, Eric, is 20 and in college. Like most kids his age, he’s absorbed in his world of parties, friends, and social media. But when I called him to share our vacation plans, he sounded genuinely excited.
“Yeah, Mom, I’m in!” he exclaimed. “Can’t wait to spend time with you guys.”
It warmed my heart to hear that.
A day later, though, Eric called me back with a request. “Mom, would it be okay if I brought my girlfriend along?”
His girlfriend? That was news to me.
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“Uh, I guess so,” I said hesitantly. “What’s her name?”
“Jessica,” he said. “She’s great. You’ll love her.”
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the idea. Our vacations had always been just the three of us, and adding a new person, someone I’d never met, felt strange. But Eric seemed so excited, and I didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm. He told me he’d been seeing her for three months now.
“Alright,” I said finally. “She’s welcome to join us.”
As the trip approached, I threw myself into planning. I wanted everything to be perfect.
A woman writing in her diary | Source: Pexels
Little did I know, this vacation wouldn’t be about bonding or relaxation. It would turn out to be one of my worst nightmares.
Jessica joined us at the airport, looking like she had just stepped out of a magazine. Her sleek outfit, perfectly styled hair, and radiant smile immediately caught everyone’s attention, including Mark’s.
He seemed particularly charmed by her, pulling her suitcase and even complimenting her choice of shoes. I brushed it off as politeness.
After all, she was Eric’s girlfriend. What was there to worry about?
A young woman | Source: Midjourney
At first, Jessica seemed nice, but soon, little things started to feel weird.
Over dinner on our first night, I thought I’d try bonding with her.
“Jessica, have you had a chance to see Eric play basketball yet?” I asked.
Her eyes widened, and she hesitated before replying, “Basketball? We’ve never talked about that.”
My eyebrows shot up. Basketball had been Eric’s passion for years. His social media was plastered with team photos and game highlights. How could his girlfriend of three months not know that?
I glanced at Eric, who was busy texting and didn’t notice.
A man using his phone | Source: Pexels
The next day, Eric suggested we all try jet-skiing. His face lit up as he described how much fun it would be, but Jessica frowned.
“I’m not really into water sports,” she said.
Wait… did Eric not know that already? I thought. That’s strange.
At that point, Eric’s excitement dimmed, but he quickly recovered and suggested we should go sightseeing instead.
Later, while everyone relaxed by the pool, I overheard Jessica asking Eric about his major.
“Biology, right?” she said with a giggle. “I can’t believe I keep forgetting that!”
A young woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
My heart skipped a beat. What was going on here?
This young woman who claimed to be my son’s girlfriend had no idea about his passion for basketball. She didn’t know his major. And she didn’t even seem particularly interested in learning. And Eric? He was doting on her constantly, getting her drinks, carrying her bag, and even taking over the sun lounger she didn’t like.
Calm down, Colleen, I told myself. Don’t overthink. Relationships are complicated, and maybe Jessica just needed more time to connect with Eric.
Still, something didn’t sit right.
A woman standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney
Midway through the trip, I was looking for sunscreen in Eric’s suitcase when I stumbled upon a small velvet box. Curious, I opened it to find a stunning diamond necklace.
It looked SUPER EXPENSIVE, and I couldn’t believe my son had bought something so elegant for his girlfriend.
How did Eric manage to save up for it? I thought.
Later that evening, I brought it up casually.
“Eric, I found the necklace in your suitcase,” I smiled. “It’s beautiful, and I’m sure Jessica’s going to love it.”
A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney
He looked at me with wide eyes as if I’d said something I wasn’t supposed to say.
“Yeah, I-I,” he stammered. “I’ve been saving for a while. I, uh, I really liked it and I thought I’d get it for her. After all, she deserves it.”
“That’s amazing!” I faked a smile. “I’m so proud of you!”
I wasn’t ready to believe that my son, a college student on a tight budget, could afford something so extravagant. I decided not to press him, but my gut told me there was more to this necklace than he was letting on.
A silver pendant with diamonds | Source: Pexels
Jessica’s indifference to Eric’s life, her lack of genuine interest, and now this mystery necklace? Things weren’t adding up.
On the final morning of our trip, the hotel was quiet. Mark was having breakfast downstairs, and Eric and Jessica were lounging by the pool.
I stayed in the suite, sipping coffee and trying not to overanalyze the situation.
That’s when Eric’s phone, left charging on the counter, buzzed with a notification.
It was a text. I glanced at it absentmindedly, but my eyes widened when I read it.
A phone on a table | Source: Pexels
It read, +$500 to our deal. Thanks for covering up for me with the necklace.
The sender? Mark. My husband.
My stomach dropped as my mind tried to connect the dots. I immediately grabbed Eric’s phone and entered the passcode (I knew it because I’d watched him unlock his phone once).
I knew it wasn’t right to invade his privacy, but something told me I had to see more.
The message thread unraveled a web of betrayal I couldn’t have imagined.
A woman reading messages on her son’s phone | Source: Pexels
Mark and Eric had been plotting for weeks, and Jessica wasn’t Eric’s girlfriend. She was Mark’s mistress.
Eric had been pretending to date her as a cover so Mark could bring her on the trip without arousing my suspicion. The “deal” they had struck involved money Mark had promised Eric in exchange for his silence. And the necklace? Mark had paid for it with my money.
I stared at the screen as dozens of questions popped into my mind.
A woman looking at her son’s phone | Source: Midjourney
How could Mark do this to me? And Eric? Why did he go along with it? They thought they could betray me like this?
I was angry. I was heartbroken.
But I knew I couldn’t let this slide.
That evening, I called everyone to dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. I dressed carefully, choosing a nice dress and pairing it with the diamond necklace my husband had bought for his mistress.
I wanted to look composed and strong, even if I felt like falling apart inside.
A woman wearing a necklace | Source: Midjourney
When I walked into the restaurant, they turned to look at me. Jessica’s eyes lit up, but her smile faded when she realized I was wearing her necklace.
“Mom, why are you wearing Jessica’s necklace?” Eric asked. “That’s her gift.”
“Oh, really?” I chuckled. “That’s odd. Because your dad bought it with MY MONEY.”
Mark’s face turned pale.
“Wh-what are you talking about?” he stammered. “What—”
A man sitting in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Stop pretending, Mark,” I said, rolling my eyes.
Then, I turned to Jessica. “I don’t know what my husband has told you, but he’s currently unemployed. He got laid off years ago, and since then, he’s been struggling to find a decent job.”
“But, I—”
“Shh!” I cut her off. “Let me finish. You see, I’ve been paying for everything ever since he lost his job. Everything including this trip, the necklace, and even the money he promised Eric to play along with this charade.”
“Mom, I didn’t mean to… I mean—” Eric began.
A young man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“I never thought my son could do something like this,” I glanced at Eric as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I had no idea I was paying my own son to lie to me.”
That was the last thing I said to the three of them. I stood up and walked back to my room.
The next day, I flew home alone. Eric and Mark kept calling me, but I refused to answer any of their calls.
A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels
A week later, I filed for divorce. Jessica vanished when she realized Mark had no money, leaving him humiliated and alone.
As for Eric, we’re working on rebuilding our relationship. He made a mistake, but he’s still my son, and I’m hoping he won’t do anything like this again. I guess he just wanted some money and didn’t really care what his father wanted him to do. I pray he grows up and understands what Mark did that day was totally unacceptable.
I hope Eric never follows in his father’s footsteps.
Entitled Homeowners Refused to Pay My Plumber Dad – They Thought They Were the Smartest, but He Had the Last Laugh
When an entitled couple refused to pay my Dad, a hardworking plumber, they thought they were clever. Little did they know their smugness would backfire, leaving them with a bathroom crawling with regret. Here’s how my Dad flushed their entitlement down the drain.
Hey there, folks! Phoebe here, but you can call me Pippi — that’s what my Dad does. Speaking of which, let me introduce you to Pete: 55 years old, ruggedly handsome with a white beard and hands like a roadmap of hard work. He’s your friendly neighborhood plumber and my superhero without the cape.
Close-up of an older man smiling | Source: Midjourney
Dad’s the kind of guy who treats every job like it’s his own home, redoing entire bathrooms if a single tile is off. But some folks see that dedication and think they can take advantage. That’s exactly what a pair of entitled homeowners tried to do.
Oh, but they had no idea who they were messing with.
It all started a few months back when I swung by Dad’s place. I found him on the patio, puffing away on his cigar and laughing like he’d just heard the world’s funniest joke.
A plumber installing pipe fittings | Source: Pexels
“What’s got you in such a good mood, old man?” I asked, plopping down next to him.
Dad’s eyes twinkled as he said, “Oh, Pippi, you’re not gonna believe what just happened. It’s a doozy!”
Dad leaned in, still chuckling. “Remember that bathroom remodel I was working on? Well, let me tell you about the Carlyles, or as I like to call ’em, the Pinchpennies.”
I settled in, knowing this was gonna be good. Dad’s stories always were.
A bathroom interior | Source: Unsplash
“These folks, they wanted the works. New tiles, fancy fixtures, you name it. They picked out every little detail themselves… even down to where they wanted the toilet paper holder.”
“Sounds like a dream job,” I said.
Dad snorted. “Oh, it started that way alright. But then…”
His face darkened, and I knew we were getting to the good part. “What happened, Dad?” I asked.
An older man fixing a faucet in the bathroom | Source: Midjourney
“Well, Pippi, on the last day, just as I’m to start the grouting, they’re sitting on this couch, ready to pull a real fast one on me.”
Dad’s voice took on a mocking tone as he imitated Mrs. Carlyle. “‘Oh, Pete, this isn’t what we wanted at all! These tiles are all wrong!’”
I gasped. “But didn’t they pick everything out themselves?”
“Exactly!” Dad exclaimed, throwing his hands up. “And get this — they had the nerve to tell me they were only gonna pay half of what they owed me. HALF!”
An older couple sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels
My jaw dropped. “HALF?? After two weeks of busting your hump to get their dream bathroom done. No way! What did you do?”
Dad’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Well, I tried to reason with ’em at first. But they weren’t having any of it. Mr. Carlyle, he gets all puffed up and says, ‘Just finish the job and GET LOST, Pete. We’re not paying a penny more.’”
I could feel my blood boiling. “That’s not fair! You worked so hard!”
A shocked young woman holding her face | Source: Pexels
Dad patted my hand. “Now, now, Pippi. Don’t you worry! Your old man had a trick up his sleeve.”
“What did you do?” I leaned in, eager to hear more.
Dad’s grin widened. “Oh, I finished the job alright. But instead of using water for the grout…”
“…I mixed it with sugar and honey,” Dad finished, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
I blinked, trying to process what I’d just heard. “Sugar and honey? In the grout? But why?”
A bottle of honey near a small mound of powdered tile grout | Source: Midjourney
Dad leaned back, taking a long drag on his cigar. “Just you wait and see, Pippi. Just you wait and see.”
He went on to explain how he’d packed up his tools, pocketed half the pay, and left with a smile, knowing full well what was coming next.
“But Dad,” I interrupted, “wouldn’t they notice something was off with the grout?”
A smiling older man holding a toolbox | Source: Midjourney
He shook his head, chuckling. “Nah, not right away. It looked just fine when it dried. But a few weeks later…”
I leaned in, hanging on his every word. “What happened a few weeks later?”
Dad’s grin widened. “That’s when the real fun began.”
“Picture this,” Dad said, gesturing with his cigar. “The Pinchpennies are sitting pretty, thinking they’ve pulled a fast one on old Pete. Then one day, Mrs. Carlyle goes to take a shower, and what does she see?”
Smiling older couple holding ceramic mugs | Source: Pexels
I shrugged, totally engrossed in the story.
“Ants!” Dad exclaimed. “Dozens of ’em, marching along the grout lines like it’s their own personal highway!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “No way!”
“Oh, it gets better,” Dad continued. “Next day, it’s cockroaches. Then every creepy-crawly within spittin’ distance shows up for the party.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “That’s crazy! But how do you know all this?”
Close-up of an army of ants on a bathroom floor | Source: Midjourney
Dad winked. “Remember Johnny? My old pal? He’s their next-door neighbor and has been keeping me updated.”
“And the Carlyles?” I asked. “What did they do?”
Dad’s eyes sparkled with glee. “Oh, Pippi, they tried everything. Spent a fortune on pest control, but nothing worked. You wanna know the best part?”
I nodded eagerly.
A pest controller outside a house | Source: Pexels
“They blamed the pest control sprays for ruining the grout! Can you believe it?” Dad burst into laughter.
As Dad’s laughter died down, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the Carlyles. “But Dad, don’t you think that was a bit… harsh?”
Dad’s expression softened. “Pippi, you gotta understand. These people tried to cheat me out of my hard-earned money. Two weeks of backbreaking work, and they wanted to pay me half?”
I nodded slowly. “I get it, but still…”
Close-up of a stunned woman | Source: Pexels
“Look,” Dad said, leaning forward. “In this line of work, your reputation is everything. If word got out that I let clients walk all over me, I’d be out of business faster than you can say ‘leaky faucet.’”
I had to admit, he had a point. “So what happened next?”
Dad grinned. “Well, according to Johnny, they ended up redoing the whole bathroom about a year later.”
My eyes widened. “Did that solve the problem?”
A man working on a renovation project | Source: Freepik
Dad shook his head, chuckling. “Nope. The sugar residue was still there, lurking beneath the surface. The bugs just kept on coming back.”
“And the Carlyles?” I asked. “Did they ever figure it out?”
Dad’s eyes twinkled. “Not a clue. Last I heard, they were planning to redo the entire bathroom… again.”
I sat back, taking it all in. “Wow, Dad. That’s… something else. But didn’t you feel bad at all?”
Construction worker laying ceramic tiles | Source: Freepik
Dad sighed, his expression turning serious. “Pippi, let me tell you something. In all my years of plumbing, I’ve never done anything like this before. And I hope I never have to again. But these Carlyles, they weren’t just trying to cheat me. They were insulting my work, my pride.”
I nodded, understanding dawning. “They thought they could walk all over you.”
“Exactly,” Dad said, pointing his cigar at me. “And in this business, word gets around. If I let them get away with it, who knows how many other folks might try the same thing?”
Side view of an older man looking up | Source: Midjourney
“I guess I see your point,” I admitted. “But still, bugs in the bathroom? That’s pretty gross, Dad.”
He chuckled. “Well, I never said it was a pretty revenge. But it was effective.”
“So, what happened after that?” I asked, curious. “Did you ever hear from them again?”
Dad shook his head. “Nope. But Johnny keeps me updated. You should hear some of the stories he’s told me.”
“Like what?” I leaned in, eager for more.
Ants near a bathtub | Source: Midjourney
Dad’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Well, there was this one time Mrs. Carlyle was hosting a fancy dinner party. Johnny said he could hear her screaming all the way from his house when she found a cockroach in the guest bathroom!”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh man, that must’ve been embarrassing!”
Close-up of a cockroach on a bathroom sink | Source: Midjourney
“You bet it was,” Dad chuckled. “And then there was the time Mr. Carlyle tried to fix the problem himself. Bought every bug spray in the store and went to town on that bathroom.”
“Did it work?” I asked, already guessing the answer.
Dad shook his head, grinning. “Nope. Just made the whole house smell like a chemical factory for weeks. And the bugs? They came right back as soon as the smell faded.”
Close-up of gloved hand holding disinfecting solution | Source: Freepik
I shook my head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. How long has this been going on?”
“Oh, must be going on over a year now,” Dad said, puffing on his cigar. “Johnny says they’re at their wits’ end. Talking about selling the house and moving.”
I whistled low. “Wow, Dad. That’s some long-lasting revenge.”
Side view of a cottage with a beautiful garden | Source: Unsplash
He nodded, a hint of remorse in his eyes. “Maybe it went on a bit longer than I intended. But you know what they say about karma.”
“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s a real… well, you know.”
We shared a hearty laugh at that.
Close-up side view of an older man with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the patio, I sat back, processing everything Dad had told me.
“You know, Dad,” I said slowly, “I gotta admit, that’s pretty genius. Diabolical, but genius.”
Dad nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. “Sometimes, Pippi, you gotta teach people a lesson they won’t forget.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I bet the Carlyles won’t be trying to stiff anyone on their bill anytime soon.”
Close-up grayscale shot of a smiling woman | Source: Pexels
“You got that right,” Dad chuckled. “And every time Johnny gives me an update, I get a good laugh out of it.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sky turn pink and orange.
“Hey, Dad?” I said finally.
“Yeah, Pippi?”
“Promise me one thing?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
Side view of an older man smiling | Source: Midjourney
I grinned. “If I ever need my bathroom redone, I’m paying you in full upfront.”
Dad burst out laughing, pulling me into a big bear hug. “That’s my girl!”
As we sat there, laughing and watching the sunset, I couldn’t help but think about the Carlyles and their bug-infested bathroom. It was a reminder that sometimes, karma comes with six legs and a sweet tooth.
An older man laughing | Source: Midjourney
Here’s another story: When a couple turned Toby’s 14-hour flight into a nightmare, he taught them an unforgettable lesson in airplane etiquette.
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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