When my husband mocked my homemade lasagna behind my back, I teamed up with my mother-in-law to serve him a taste of his own medicine. What followed was a dinner he wouldn’t forget, teaching him a lesson in appreciation and respect.
My husband, Dave, and I have been married for about three years. I pride myself on my cooking skills. I’m no gourmet chef, but I’ve never had any complaints — until recently.
Happy couple | Source: Midjourney
Last Friday, I decided to make one of my favorite recipes: homemade lasagna. I spent hours preparing it, making sure everything was perfect. When it was finally ready, I served it up with a smile. I expected at least a ‘thank you’ from Dave.
Instead, he took one bite, made a face, and pulled out his phone. I thought he just took the photo because he photographs everything around. But in a second, I heard the sound of a text message arriving. Curious, I peeked over his shoulder and my heart sank.
Unpleased Dave with lasagna | Source: Midjourney
The message read, ‘Look at what she made tonight. It’s barely edible. I miss Mom’s cooking.’
My blood boiled. “Dave, what the heck is this?” I asked, my voice shaking.
He looked up, startled. “What? Oh, nothing,” he stammered, trying to hide his phone.
Close-up portrait of his he nice attractive funny confused brunet bearded guy wearing pink tshirt waiting news biting lip isolated over violet purple lilac pastel color background | Source: Getty Images
“Nothing? You just texted someone that my lasagna is barely edible and you miss your mom’s cooking!” I snapped.
Dave sighed. “Look, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just… I don’t know, venting. It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?” I couldn’t believe my ears. “Do you have any idea how much effort I put into this? If you didn’t like it, you could have just told me.”
Man texting on his phone | Source: Unsplash
“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings,” he said defensively.
“By telling me to my face, or by texting someone behind my back?” I shot back. “Because I think this is way worse.”
Dave rubbed his temples. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. It was a dumb thing to do.”
Sad elderly woman | Source: Pexels
I wasn’t satisfied with his half-hearted apology, but I decided to drop it for the night. The next day, I had a different plan.
I told Dave that I had a work event and would be home late. In reality, I went to his mom’s house. She was a wonderful woman and I wanted to ask her for advice. When I arrived, she welcomed me in with open arms.
“Hey, sweetie! What brings you here?” she asked, giving me a hug.
Mother-in-law | Source: Midjourney
I sighed. “It’s about Dave. He did something really hurtful yesterday.”
She frowned. “What happened?”
I told her about the lasagna incident and showed her the message Dave had sent. She was shocked and immediately agreed to help me.
Mother-in-law comforts the woman | Source: Midjourney
“Oh God! I never brought him up to be such a brat. Hon, he’ll learn a lesson. I have a plan.”
My mother-in-law offered to cook up a storm in her kitchen. She made all of Dave’s favorite dishes, but with a twist. She over-seasoned, undercooked, and generally made sure everything tasted awful.
Then she plated it all up beautifully, knowing Dave wouldn’t be able to resist taking a picture. Then she called him and invited him for dinner.
A slice of lasagna garnished with basil | Source: Pexels
The house smelled delicious, even if I knew better. As she worked, she explained the plan in detail, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“I’ll make the mashed potatoes too salty, the green beans half-cooked, and the chicken dry as a bone. He’ll be so excited when he sees the spread, and then… well, let’s just see what happens.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You really think this will work?”
Elderly woman with a cup | Source: Pexels
She winked. “Oh, honey, I know it will. Dave has always been a bit too sure of himself when it comes to food. This will be a wake-up call.”
As we set the table, my nerves started to ease. This was going to be interesting.
When Dave arrived, his eyes lit up at the sight of the delicious spread. He eagerly dug in, but with each bite, his face started changing. He looked confused and a bit scared.
Scared man | Source: Pexels
With a smirk on her face, his mom asked sweetly, “Is everything okay?”
He stammered, “Uh, yeah, it’s just… not what I expected.”
She smiled and said, “Hmmm, strange, I thought you missed my cooking?”
Mother-in-law tells Lily the story | Source: Midjourney
Dave went pale as the realization hit him. He turned to me, standing in the kitchen doorway, and I said, “I saw your message, Dave. If you have something to say about my cooking, say it to my face. I hope you enjoyed tonight’s meal as much as I enjoyed making it.”
Dave was speechless, and his mom chimed in, “I didn’t raise you to be disrespectful. You owe your wife an apology.”
Elderly lady with a laptop | Source: Pexels
He mumbled, “I’m sorry.”
But I wasn’t done. I pulled out my phone and said, “You know, Dave, I think I’ll send a picture of tonight’s meal to the boys’ chat, just like you did with my lasagna. Maybe they’ll appreciate a taste of your favorite dishes, ‘Mom’s style.’”
Senior woman and young woman sitting at dining table holding hands | Source: Getty Images
His eyes widened in horror as he realized what I was about to do. “No, please don’t!” he pleaded.
I gave him a stern look. “Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before mocking someone’s hard work.”
From that day on, Dave never complained about my cooking again, at least not behind my back. Whenever I cooked, he made sure to show his appreciation.
Senior woman in her 80s looks away, seeming confused and anxious | Source: Getty Images
His mom looked at him sternly. “Dave, you need to understand how hurtful your words can be. Your wife put in a lot of effort to make that meal. She deserves your respect.”
Dave nodded, looking ashamed. “I know, Mom. I’m really sorry.”
“Actions speak louder than words,” she replied. “You need to show her that you appreciate what she does.”
Senior Caucasian woman with chin in hands | Source: Getty Images
Dave looked at me, his eyes full of regret. “I really am sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
I crossed my arms and said, “Well, now you know how it feels to have your hard work disrespected.”
He nodded vigorously. “I promise, I’ll never do it again. I’ll be more appreciative from now on.”
Portrait of serious mature businessman wearing glasses in office | Source: Getty Images
His mom chimed in, “Good. Now, why don’t we all clean up together? It’ll give you a chance to show some of that appreciation.”
Dave quickly agreed, “Yes, Mom. Let’s clean up.”
As we worked together to clean the kitchen, Dave kept apologizing and thanking me for the meal. I could see he was genuinely sorry, and it felt good to know that he had learned his lesson.
Thankful Dave | Source: Midjourney
Later that night, as we were getting ready for bed, Dave turned to me and said, “I really am sorry for what I did. I was being an idiot, and I hurt you. I never want to do that again.”
I sighed, feeling some of my anger melt away. “I appreciate the apology, Dave. But you need to remember that words can hurt. Next time, just be honest with me. We can work on things together.”
Woman hugging boyfriend | Source: Getty Images
He nodded. “I will. Thank you for giving me another chance.”
“Just don’t mess it up,” I replied, giving him a small smile.
The next morning, Dave made breakfast as a gesture of goodwill. He served me a plate of pancakes with a shy smile. “I hope these are okay.”
Man makes pancakes | Source: Pexels
I took a bite and smiled. “They’re perfect.”
Dave beamed, looking relieved. “I’m glad you like them.”
From that day on, Dave made a real effort to show his appreciation for my cooking. He never complained again, and our relationship grew stronger because of it.
Pancakes | Source: Pexels
The lesson here? Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, especially when that hand can serve up a dish of well-deserved revenge. Sometimes, a little creativity and teamwork with a great MIL are all you need to teach someone a valuable lesson.
I Returned Home from a 12-Hour Work Shift Just to Find Pizza Crusts Left for Me by My Husband as Dinner
My husband was so comfortable with not working that he wasn’t making an effort to find employment. One day he did something that broke the camel’s back and I finally lost it! I set about getting revenge on him in a way that forced him to change his ways completely.
A frustrated and drained woman holding folders | Source: Pexels
Hi everyone, my name is Amanda and I am a 45-year-old married woman. I am not into handouts and have been working tirelessly. I’ve been juggling a full-time job and all the household chores. All the while my husband, Dave, 47, lounges around at home, doing the bare minimum.
Last week, he pushed me to my breaking point, and I decided it was time for some petty revenge! Grab some popcorn, because this one’s a good one! Before I get ahead of myself, let me start with a little background.
A woman cleaning her house | Source: Pexels
I am a nurse by profession and that means I work 12-hour shifts. My job, which I love and wouldn’t change for anything in the world, is physically and emotionally demanding. Meanwhile, Dave’s been unemployed for over a year.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
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.
MY HUSBAND GOT ANOTHER WOMAN PREGNANT WHILE I WAS ON A BUSINESS TRIP – MY REVENGE MADE HIM SOB.
The sterile scent of antiseptic and the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor had become the soundtrack of my life. My three-year-old son, Leo, lay frail in the hospital bed, his small body battling a relentless illness. And while I navigated the labyrinth of medical jargon and the agonizing uncertainty of Leo’s condition, my husband, Jacob, was betraying me.
A business trip, he’d called it. A chance to network, to secure a better future for our family. Little did I know, the “networking” involved his colleague, Jessie, and a betrayal that would shatter my world.
Jessie’s message arrived like a poisoned arrow, delivered through the cold, impersonal medium of a text message. “Jacob and I… we’re expecting.”
The words blurred before my eyes, the world tilting on its axis. Leo’s illness, the stress, the exhaustion – it all paled in comparison to the searing pain of betrayal. Jacob, the man I had loved for eight years, the father of my sick child, had abandoned us for another woman.
He packed his bags, his movements devoid of remorse. His parting words, callous and cruel, echoed in my ears: “I don’t regret anything. I’m fed up with you and this little burden.”
He left, leaving me to pick up the pieces, to face Leo’s illness alone, to navigate the wreckage of our shattered life.
But amidst the devastation, a flicker of resolve ignited within me. Jacob wouldn’t get away with this. He wouldn’t escape the consequences of his actions. He needed to learn a lesson, a harsh, unforgettable lesson.
I waited, patiently, for the initial storm to subside. I focused on Leo, on his recovery, on rebuilding a life for us, a life without Jacob. I buried my anger, nurturing it, shaping it into a weapon.
Months later, when the dust had settled, I reached out to Jacob. I invited him over, suggesting we discuss the terms of our separation, the logistics of parental rights. He arrived, his demeanor smug, his eyes filled with a self-satisfied gleam. He thought he had won. He thought he had escaped unscathed.
We sat at the kitchen table, the same table where we had shared countless meals, countless memories. I spoke calmly, rationally, discussing the legalities, the practicalities. He nodded along, his eyes never leaving mine, a predatory glint in their depths.
He left that day, beaming, convinced he had secured a favorable outcome. He thought he had manipulated me, played me for a fool.
But the real game was just beginning.
A week later, I filed a lawsuit against Jacob. Not for alimony, not for child support, but for full custody of Leo. And I didn’t stop there. I included a detailed account of his infidelity, his abandonment of a sick child, his callous disregard for our family. I attached Jessie’s text message, the one that had shattered my world, as evidence.
The lawsuit landed on his doorstep like a thunderbolt. He called me, his voice trembling, his bravado shattered.
“What is this?” he demanded, his voice laced with panic.
“It’s a lawsuit, Jacob,” I replied, my voice cool. “For full custody of Leo.”
“You can’t do this!” he sputtered. “I’m his father!”
“You abandoned him, Jacob,” I said, my voice flat. “You abandoned us both. You forfeited your right to be a father.”
“But… but Jessie,” he stammered. “We’re having a baby.”
“Congratulations,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Perhaps you’ll learn from your mistakes this time.”
The lawsuit was a public humiliation. It was splashed across local news websites, gossip columns, and social media. Jacob’s reputation, his career, his new relationship – all were tarnished.
He tried to fight back, to discredit me, to paint me as a vindictive ex-wife. But the evidence was irrefutable. His actions spoke louder than any words.
The court granted me full custody of Leo. Jacob was granted supervised visitation rights, a stark reminder of his betrayal. He was ordered to pay child support, a financial burden that would haunt him for years to come.
He sobbed in the courtroom, his tears a pathetic display of remorse. But it was too late. He had made his choices, and now he had to live with the consequences.
Leo, thankfully, made a full recovery. We rebuilt our lives, stronger, more resilient. We found a community of support, a network of friends who embraced us, who helped us heal.
Jacob, on the other hand, was left with nothing but regret. He had traded a loving family for a fleeting affair, a moment of selfish gratification. He had learned his lesson, a harsh, unforgettable lesson. And I, in turn, had found my strength, my voice, my revenge.
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