Meredith had cared for her garden all her life, a sanctuary created with love alongside her late husband. When the neighbor’s teenage boys deliberately destroyed this peaceful haven to spite her, her world was shaken. Meredith decided to get revenge and teach the boys a lesson they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Meredith had lived in her house for 40 years. Her late husband, James, had built it with his own hands. Every detail of the house was filled with memories of their life together.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The wooden beams in the ceiling, the handcrafted cabinets in the kitchen, and the cozy fireplace in the living room all bore his mark. They had lived peacefully for most of those years, enjoying friendly neighbors, quiet streets, and lovely local shops.
However a few years ago, everything changed when the Schneiders moved in next door with their two boys, Tom and Derek. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider allowed their sons to do literally anything they wanted. Meredith had never seen anyone scold them, not even once.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
When they first moved in, Tom was 10, and Derek was 8. Even then, they were always causing trouble—playing loud games, leaving their toys in her yard, and being generally disruptive. Now, as teenagers, their antics had become a nightmare for Meredith.
On the night that changed everything, she was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. The clock showed 2 a.m., and the sounds of screams and loud music from the Schneiders’ house filled the air. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider had gone away for the weekend, leaving Tom and Derek alone.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
They had seized the opportunity to throw a wild party. Meredith tried to cover her ears with her pillow, but it was no use. The noise was unbearable.
She had tried to be a good neighbor, always hoping the boys would grow out of their mischief. But her patience had run out.
Meredith sighed deeply and got out of bed. She slipped into her robe and slippers, determined to put an end to the chaos. She walked across her yard and up to the Schneiders’ front door.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The loud music and shouting seemed to vibrate through the walls. She knocked hard on the door, but the sound was swallowed by the blaring music. Frustrated, she opened the door and stepped inside.
The scene before her was chaotic. Teenagers were everywhere, yelling and laughing. The music was deafening, and snacks were scattered all over the floor.
Some kids were dancing on the furniture, and others were throwing food at each other. Meredith felt a surge of anger and determination. She scanned the room and spotted a karaoke microphone on the table. She grabbed it and took a deep breath.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“You have ten minutes to disperse, or I’m calling the police!” Meredith shouted into the microphone, her voice echoing through the room. The teenagers glanced at her but didn’t move, continuing to talk and laugh as if she wasn’t there.
Frustrated, she walked over to the speaker and yanked the plug from the wall. The music stopped abruptly, and a chorus of “Hey!” erupted from various parts of the house.
Tom stormed over to her, his face red with anger. “Old lady, have you lost your mind? Can’t you see we’re having a party?!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Meredith stood her ground. “Don’t you dare speak to me like that, young man! Everybody has ten minutes to leave, or I’m calling the police!”
Tom sneered at her. “I’ll call the police on you for trespassing!”
Meredith’s eyes narrowed. “Ten. Minutes.”
Tom stepped closer, his voice dripping with defiance. “And I give you ten seconds to get out of our house!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“How dare you speak to your elders like that?!” Meredith said, her voice shaking with anger.
“Leave, or I’ll have to throw you out,” Tom threatened, his tone menacing.
Meredith dropped the karaoke microphone on the floor and walked out of the house. Behind her, she heard cheers and praises for Tom, the teenagers celebrating their defiance.
Ignoring them, she marched back to her house. As soon as she stepped through her front door, she picked up the phone and dialed the police.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“There’s a loud, disruptive party at 23 Oak Street. It needs to stop,” she reported, her voice steady despite her anger.
In less than ten minutes, the police arrived. Meredith stood outside, watching as the officers approached the Schneider house. The teenagers began to scatter in all directions, their carefree laughter replaced by hurried whispers and anxious looks.
The police spoke with Tom and Derek, issuing them a fine for the noise disturbance. As the officers left, Derek noticed Meredith standing nearby. He glared at her, his face twisted with anger. “You’ll regret this, old hag!” he shouted.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Meredith didn’t flinch. She simply waved at them and went back inside, shaking her head. She couldn’t understand how parents could neglect their children’s upbringing so much that they didn’t teach them basic respect for others. It baffled her that the Schneiders let their boys run wild without any consequences.
Meredith returned to her bedroom, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She had stood up for herself, and now, hopefully, she would have some peace. She lay down, the quiet of the night settling around her. Finally, she drifted off to sleep, her heart a little lighter.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The next morning, Meredith woke up in a surprisingly good mood. She believed that after calling the police on the Schneider boys, they would finally stop causing trouble. She hummed a little tune as she went down to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee.
The aroma filled the air, bringing back memories of mornings spent with her husband. Meredith decided to drink her coffee in their garden, as she used to do with James.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The garden was their shared hobby, and they had spent countless hours working on it together. Even after his death, Meredith felt his presence whenever she went into the garden.
She took her cup and stepped outside, expecting to find peace among the flowers and trees. But as soon as she saw the garden, she gasped and dropped her cup. It shattered on the ground, the sound echoing in the silence.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked around in horror. Her beautiful garden was destroyed. Every flower and tree had been uprooted, their roots damaged.
The stone path was broken, all the garden figurines were smashed, and the swing her husband had built was also broken. On the fence, a large graffiti depicted Meredith as a devil.
Meredith was sure that Tom and Derek were behind this, and she wasn’t going to let it go. Fury surged through her as she marched over to the Schneiders’ house. She saw their car in the driveway and knew they had returned.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Without hesitation, she approached the door and knocked loudly. After a moment, Mrs. Schneider opened the door, looking surprised.
“Hello, Meredith. How are you?” Mrs. Schneider asked with a forced smile.
“How am I? Your kids destroyed the garden my husband and I built our whole lives! How do you think I am?” Meredith shouted, her face red with anger.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad,” Mrs. Schneider said, rolling her eyes.
“Are you kidding me? They ruined everything! There’s nothing left to restore!” Meredith’s voice trembled with frustration.
“They’re just kids, Meredith. They’re going through a rebellious phase.”
“Just kids? They’re not just kids! They’re completely undisciplined, selfish, and mean!” Meredith’s hands clenched into fists.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t you dare talk about my sons like that! And you don’t even know if it was them. You have no proof,” Mrs. Schneider retorted, her eyes narrowing.
Meredith opened her mouth to respond, but Mrs. Schneider slammed the door in her face.
Meredith couldn’t believe the audacity. Mrs. Schneider didn’t even apologize. Meredith returned to her garden, her heart heavy with sadness.
She looked around at the destruction, feeling the weight of her helplessness. She really had no proof that Tom and Derek did it, so the police wouldn’t believe her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Then, a spark of hope ignited in her mind. She remembered the small camera hidden among the plants. Her late husband had installed it a few years ago to keep an eye on the garden and make sure animals didn’t eat their crops.
She hurried over to the spot where the camera was hidden. If the camera had captured the boys in the act, she would have the proof she needed.
Meredith took the camera inside and connected it to her computer. She anxiously waited for the video to load, hoping it had captured what she needed. When the footage finally appeared on the screen, she watched intently.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
There, clear as day, were Tom and Derek, tearing up her garden. They laughed as they pulled out flowers, smashed figurines, and spray-painted the fence. She quickly saved the recordings onto a flash drive and headed to the police station.
When she arrived, she explained the situation to the officer on duty and handed over the evidence. The officer reviewed the footage, nodding as he watched. “This is clear evidence,” he said. “We’ll open a case against Tom and Derek.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Meredith nodded, feeling a small sense of justice. She decided to sue them for the damage. A few weeks later, the court date arrived. Meredith sat in the courtroom, her heart pounding.
The judge reviewed the evidence and listened to both sides. In the end, the court ordered Tom and Derek to do community service. Their task was to restore Meredith’s garden, with the costs covered by their parents.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The punishment didn’t end there. The Schneiders, embarrassed and angry, severely punished their sons. They took away all their electronics and forbade them from seeing their friends.
Tom and Derek were not happy, but Meredith hoped this would be a lesson for them.
One morning, Meredith went out to her garden and watched Tom and Derek working. She noticed their awkward movements and realized they didn’t know how to do anything.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
They struggled with the simplest tasks, looking frustrated and confused. Meredith sighed and decided to step in. “Boys, let me show you how it’s done,” she said, taking the shovel from Tom’s hands.
She demonstrated how to plant flowers properly, explaining each step in a calm, patient voice. “You need to dig a hole deep enough for the roots, like this,” she said, showing them the correct depth. Derek watched closely, nodding as he began to understand.
Day by day, Meredith continued to teach them, guiding them with a firm but gentle hand. Slowly, the boys started to get the hang of it. They became more confident, their movements more assured.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Meredith noticed that they were even starting to enjoy the work. They laughed and joked with each other, and sometimes with her, as they planted new flowers and repaired the broken path.
Meredith saw that the boys felt guilty for what they had done. They hadn’t realized the consequences of their actions because no one had ever explained it to them. One particularly hot day, she decided to make them some lemonade.
“Tom! Derek! Come and drink some lemonade before you get a heatstroke!” Meredith shouted to make sure they heard her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The boys looked up, wiped the sweat from their faces, and walked over to the table. They grabbed the glasses of lemonade and drank eagerly.
“Why are you so kind to us?” Derek asked, looking puzzled. “We always teased you, kept you up at night, and destroyed your garden.”
Meredith smiled gently. “Responding to anger with anger doesn’t lead to anything good,” she said.
Tom frowned and said, “But we treated you horribly.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, you did,” Meredith agreed, “but I want to show you there’s another way to build relationships. You’re doing a good job on the garden, and I appreciate your hard work.”
Derek looked down at his glass. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“Yes, thank you,” Tom added. “And we’re sorry for everything bad we did.”
Meredith nodded, her smile warm. “I accept your apology. Now finish your drinks and get back to work. That tree won’t plant itself.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The boys laughed, finished their lemonade, and got back to work. Meredith watched them with a sense of hope. She saw them working together, more carefully and thoughtfully than before.
She hoped she had given them a valuable lesson they would remember for the rest of their lives. She wanted them to understand the importance of respect, hard work, and the impact of their actions on others.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
Mother of the Groom Hires an Unknown Actress to Sabotage the Wedding, but Plans Spiral Out of Control – Story of the Day
A struggling actress takes an unusual job after being hired by a wealthy man’s mother to pose as his girlfriend and sabotage his upcoming wedding. But as she spends more time with him and his fiancée, she questions her actions and the price of her desperation. What will she choose?
Miranda stepped out of the dim audition room, her chest heavy with frustration. The casting director’s parting words, “You’re not interesting enough,” stung more than she wanted to admit.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
With her wallet almost empty, taking a taxi home wasn’t an option, so she trudged along the busy sidewalk, her thoughts clouded with doubt and discouragement.
As she neared a small corner store, a bulletin board tacked outside caught her eye. Among the cluttered ads and flyers, one stood out.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She stepped closer to read the hastily written note: “Looking for a woman to pretend to be my son’s girlfriend. Will pay well.” Beneath the bold letters was a single phone number. No name, no explanation.
Miranda shook her head and chuckled to herself. “People are wild,” she muttered, brushing it off as she entered the store.
At the register, reality hit her hard. The little she could afford—pasta, cheese, and toilet paper—barely filled a small bag.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The notice snagged her attention again as she was heading back. Staring at her meager groceries, she sighed, pulled out her phone, and dialed the number.
“Hello, I saw your ad—” Miranda began, gripping her phone tightly.
A sharp voice cut her off. “Meet me at 7:00 p.m. at Bella Luna. Dinner’s on me.”
Miranda blinked in surprise. “Wait, what—”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The line went dead. She stared at her phone. No name. No details. Just instructions. It felt strange, but with her bills piling up, she didn’t have the luxury to ignore it.
At 7:00 p.m., Miranda entered the restaurant, her stomach fluttering. She scanned the room, unsure who she was meeting.
A middle-aged woman in a tailored suit approached her, her steps confident.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Are you the one who called about the ad?” the woman asked, her tone brisk.
“Yes, I’m Miranda,” she replied, offering a polite smile.
“Leslie,” the woman said, gesturing toward a nearby table. “Follow me.”
Once seated, Leslie leaned forward. “Do you have experience with this sort of thing?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Miranda hesitated. “Not exactly. I’ve never pretended to be someone’s girlfriend before,” she admitted. “But I’m an actress. I think I can do it.”
Leslie nodded, her expression unreadable. “Good enough,” she said. “Here’s the deal. My son is getting married in a month. I need you to make him fall for you and ruin the wedding.”
Miranda’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me? Your ad said to pretend to be his girlfriend. It didn’t say anything about ruining relationships.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I’m not stupid enough to write that in an ad,” Leslie said, her voice sharp. “His fiancée isn’t good enough for him. She’s only after his money. You’d be helping him, really.”
Miranda pushed her chair back. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” she said, preparing to leave.
“Ten thousand,” Leslie said suddenly.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What?” Miranda froze.
“Ten thousand dollars if you break up the wedding. Two thousand if you try but fail. That should motivate you,” Leslie explained, her eyes fixed on Miranda.
Miranda’s breath caught. Ten thousand dollars. Two thousand, even. Her landlord’s threats echoed in her head. She needed the money.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Honey, I don’t have all day,” Leslie snapped.
Miranda swallowed hard. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Good. But don’t slack off. If you do, you get nothing,” Leslie warned, extending her hand.
With a deep sigh, Miranda shook it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Leslie had it all mapped out, and Miranda followed the plan step by step. Leslie’s son, Jack, was hiring an assistant for his company, so Leslie helped Miranda put together an impressive résumé.
It was polished to perfection, making Miranda seem like the ideal candidate. Jack didn’t hesitate—she got the job almost immediately.
But getting the job was the easy part. The hard part was getting Jack to notice her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Miranda tried everything Leslie suggested. She wore short skirts and fitted blouses, hoping to catch his eye.
Yet, Jack seemed uninterested. His focus was always on work.
Frustrated, Miranda decided to try something different. She began staying late at the office, waiting for moments when it was just the two of them.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
One evening, Jack looked up from his desk and frowned. “You don’t have to stay just because I’m still here,” he said, his tone gentle but firm.
Miranda forced a smile. “I enjoy your company,” she replied, sitting across from him and pretending to organize files.
Over the next two weeks, something shifted. Jack began having longer conversations with Miranda, talking about his life, his goals, and even his favorite movies.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Yet, the more time Miranda spent with Jack, the harder her task became. She had met Katie, his fiancée, the woman Leslie despised.
Katie wasn’t what Miranda expected. She was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely sweet.
She brought homemade cookies to the office, reminded Jack to eat, and calmed him with a soothing word when he was stressed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
One day, Miranda watched as Katie laughed over an origami crane Jack had made for her.
The love between them was undeniable. Leslie’s claims about Katie being a gold-digger felt harder to believe.
Still, Miranda couldn’t back out. Her landlord had already warned her about overdue rent, and the clock was ticking. Desperation outweighed her growing guilt.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
One evening, as Miranda stayed late at the office with Jack, her phone buzzed. She sighed, seeing Leslie’s name on the screen. Reluctantly, she answered.
“What’s taking so long?” Leslie demanded. “The wedding is in a week, and he’s still with Katie!”
“I’m working on it,” Miranda replied quietly, glancing at Jack, who was seated nearby, engrossed in his laptop.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“There’s no time left. You need to sleep with him,” Leslie snapped.
“What?! We never agreed to that!” Miranda exclaimed, her voice rising slightly.
“Then fake it,” Leslie said coldly. “Make it look like you did and send me photos. I’m done waiting.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Before Miranda could respond, the line went dead. She stared at the phone, her stomach twisting.
Slowly, she walked back to Jack and sat next to him on the couch, closer than she ever had before.
“Tired?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.
Jack glanced up briefly. “Yeah, a little,” he admitted.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Miranda hesitated, then placed her hand on his arm. “Maybe we could go to a bar. Unwind a little?”
Jack shook his head. “I can’t. Katie made dinner. She’ll already be upset that I’m late.”
“Does it really matter?” Miranda asked, leaning in slightly. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Before Jack could respond, the elevator doors opened. Startled, Miranda pulled back. The sound of heels echoed as Katie appeared carrying two lunchboxes.
“I thought I’d bring dinner since you’re working late,” Katie said, smiling. She handed one box to Jack and turned to Miranda. “I brought some for you, too. You shouldn’t go hungry.”
Miranda stared at Katie, her heart sinking. Without thinking, she blurted, “I can’t do this anymore!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What are you talking about?” Jack asked, confused.
Miranda took a deep breath. “I’m an actress. I was hired to ruin your wedding. Leslie wanted me to make you fall for me. I needed the money, so I said yes. I’m sorry.”
Jack and Katie listened in stunned silence.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I’m so sorry,” Miranda said again, her voice breaking. “I’m a horrible person.”
“No, you’re just someone in a desperate situation,” Katie said, taking Miranda’s hand.
Miranda shook her head. “Who are you? I just admitted I was trying to steal your fiancé, and you’re comforting me?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Katie smiled gently. “I know Jack loves me. You wouldn’t have succeeded.”
Jack frowned with a hard expression. “I don’t want my mom to get away with this. Will you help us?”
“It’s the least I can do,” Miranda agreed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
They carried out Jack’s plan with careful precision. Fake photos of Miranda and Jack in intimate moments were sent to Leslie.
Her response came quickly—she was excited and praised Miranda, convinced the wedding was ruined.
Meanwhile, Miranda saved screenshots of Leslie’s incriminating messages, knowing they would be crucial.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
At Jack and Katie’s rehearsal dinner, Miranda stood before the gathered guests, her heart pounding.
One by one, the photos, the messages, and even the ad that had first brought her into their lives appeared on the screen.
The room fell silent, then erupted in hushed whispers. Guests exchanged shocked glances, their disbelief palpable.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“This is all lies! I can explain!” Leslie shouted, her face red with anger.
Jack’s expression remained cold as he stepped forward. “Thanks, Mom, but Miranda already explained everything. We know the truth.”
Leslie’s voice rose in desperation. “I only wanted better for you! That woman doesn’t deserve you! She’s not good enough!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Jack said firmly. “I’ll never forgive you for trying to ruin that. Now leave. Don’t come back into our lives.”
Leslie’s mouth opened to protest. “But—”
“Leave now,” Jack interrupted, his tone sharp. “Or I’ll call security.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Leslie’s face twisted in frustration. She grabbed her bag, muttering under her breath, and stormed out, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.
As the room settled, Miranda quietly gathered her things, preparing to slip out unnoticed. Jack noticed and stopped her. “Wait,” he said.
Miranda looked up, hesitant. “What is it?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I spoke to a friend of mine. He has a role in a theater production. You’d be perfect for it,” Jack said.
Her face lit up briefly but quickly fell. “I can’t. I owe you too much already.”
“Stop,” Jack said firmly. “Actors like you are hard to find. You did spend a whole month pretending you enjoyed staying late at the office with me. And you’ll still get your paycheck for this month as my assistant.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Miranda shook her head. “I don’t deserve it. I nearly destroyed your lives.”
Katie stepped forward, her voice calm and kind. “If not for you, Leslie would still be trying to ruin our wedding.”
Miranda hesitated. Katie smiled and added, “Stay for dinner. You’re already here. I’ll be upset if you leave.”
Miranda’s eyes filled with gratitude as she hugged Katie tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Sarah’s life has always revolved around her family, but a devastating call from the hospital forced her to confront everything she had put on hold. As she rediscovers herself and begins living on her terms, a surprising twist changes everything, leading her to see life completely differently.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Leave a Reply