Jack always believed that love transcended monetary value, yet his daughters seemed fixated solely on finances. When they insisted he cover their wedding expenses, his heart sank. Determined to instill a deeper understanding of family and respect, Jack decided it was time they learned a valuable lesson.
Hey everyone, Jack here, age 55. Let’s cut to the chase: what’s more important, love or money? You’d probably say love, right? Unfortunately, that’s where my story turns bittersweet. My daughters, well, they opted for MONEY…
About fifteen years ago, my wonderful wife Mary ended things with her unfaithful ex. We’ve been blissfully married for a decade, and she brought along three incredible daughters from her previous marriage. I embraced them wholeheartedly from the start.
Lily, the oldest, bonded with me quite quickly. We weren’t exactly two peas in a pod, but she’s always shown kindness and been there for us, particularly during tough times.
As for Sandra and Amelia? It was a different story. I did my utmost, truly. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, they viewed me through the lens of their biological father—judging me by my income, the car I drove, and even my appearance.
Their coldness was evident, but I didn’t let it deter me. I supported them through college, provided for their needs, and fulfilled my role as a father, hoping my efforts would eventually warm their hearts.
Interaction was limited, primarily during holidays. But then, out of the blue, both called me, almost simultaneously. Here’s how it went down:
“Jack,” they began eagerly, “we’ve decided on a double wedding! And, well…”
I could almost hear the dollar signs in their tone.
“And?” I prodded, my stomach knotting in anticipation.
“We want you to pay for them,” they stated matter-of-factly, as if it were the most natural request in the world.
My teeth clenched so tightly, I thought I might crack a molar. Finance their weddings? The audacity!
Understand, the issue wasn’t the money. I’ve always seen them as my daughters, regardless of their feelings towards me. But their entitled demeanor? That cut deep.
“Why should I?” I asked, struggling to keep my composure.
“Well,” Sandra retorted, “you paid for Lily’s, didn’t you?”
Lily’s wedding was a different scenario altogether. She had never demanded anything; she hadn’t approached me with expectations. But when she needed help, I was there, ready to support her with a smile.
These two, however, had consistently compared me unfavorably to their biological father and criticized my efforts. Yes, their indifference hurt, but it never stopped me from loving them as my own. Still, I wasn’t just an ATM.
“What about your father?” I queried, clinging to a sliver of hope for some reasonableness.
“He says it’s too pricey for him,” Amelia replied with a tinge of entitlement. “So, since you’re better off, it falls to you, right?”
I was tempted to lash out, to spell out just how disrespectful and entitled they were behaving. But then, a spark of an idea hit me. Perhaps this was an opportunity to teach them something crucial about love, respect, and the true essence of family.
“Alright,” I said calmly, “let’s discuss this face-to-face. Come over tomorrow night, and we’ll talk it over.”
Their agreement was swift, tinged with excitement. They thought they had me cornered, but little did they know, I was about to turn the tables.
The following night, as the doorbell rang, I opened the door to find Sandra and Amelia laden with shopping bags, takeaway peeking out from the top.
“Hey, Jack!” Sandra greeted with a contrived smile. “Brought dinner—Thai, your favorite.”
Amelia corrected her, “It’s Pad Thai, not just Thai.”
I ushered them in, maintaining a neutral expression. “Welcome. But before we eat, we need to address this wedding situation.”
We settled into the living room, the food momentarily forgotten. I took a deep breath and laid out my thoughts.
“I’ve supported both of you through college, yet I’ve often felt underappreciated. Now, you expect me to finance your weddings. Why do you think that’s fair?”
An uncomfortable silence followed. Sandra and Amelia exchanged looks, having a silent conversation.
“Well,” Sandra finally said, “you helped with Lily’s wedding. It’s only fair you do the same for us, right?”
“Fairness has nothing to do with it,” I replied. “Lily has always been respectful and grateful. She never assumed I would just provide. You two, on the other hand, have done nothing but compare me to your father and others, never once treating me as part of the family or even calling me ‘dad.’”
“But we are family,” Amelia interjected, her voice defiant. “You’re supposed to do things for family, right?”
“Family, is it?” I mused, the word bitter on my tongue. “It seems we have different understandings of what that word means. More like strangers under one roof, isn’t it? But since you’re playing the family card, let’s see what that really entails. How about a challenge?”
A mischievous grin spread across my face as I leaned forward. “Here’s the deal. I’ll help with your weddings, but there’s a condition.”
I paused for effect.
“For the next three months, I want you both to live here, contribute around the house, and show me some genuine respect—no comparisons, no negativity, just real effort. If after three months, I see a real change, then the wedding funds are yours. If not, you’ll need to rethink your plans.”
The shock on their faces was palpable. Three months? Living here? This was not what they expected.
“Three months?” Amelia stammered. “But we have plans, jobs, apartments…”
“Those plans can wait,” I said firmly. “This is my offer. Take it or leave it.”
They exchanged a hesitant look, clearly not thrilled with the idea but tempted by the promise of funded weddings.
“Alright,” Sandra finally conceded, “three months. But we’re not doing dishes.”
I chuckled. “Dishes are part of the deal. But think of it this way—at least you’ll have a roof over your heads and some decent meals.”
What followed were weeks of adjustment. Sandra and Amelia were hardly skilled in household chores, and their complaints about daily tasks became a regular occurrence. They also couldn’t resist making passive-aggressive remarks about my taste in home décor.
However, as time passed, a transformation began. They saw the effort I put into maintaining our home, the care I showed in preparing meals, and the dedication I had towards their mother and them, even when it wasn’t reciprocated. They began to help out with chores, initially reluctantly, but with increasing participation. Family dinners, once awkward, became more natural, and conversation flowed more freely.
They started to understand the sacrifices I made, the extra hours I worked to ensure they could live comfortably. Gradually, the walls they had built began to crumble.
By the end of the three months, their attitudes had changed. They no longer viewed me as just an outsider, but as a true part of their family. I saw how they had grown from entitled young women into thoughtful, kind individuals.
One evening, as we gathered around the dinner table, Sandra spoke up, her voice soft.
“Jack,” she began, “these past months have been eye-opening. We’re really sorry for how we’ve treated you. The truth is, our fiancés are pitching in for the wedding, and we’ll be using some of our savings as well.”
“But that’s not all,” Amelia added. “We… we really want you to walk us down the aisle. Our dad was hardly around after the divorce, but you… you’ve always been there. You paid for our education, for Lily’s wedding, and you’ve always stepped up.”
“We’re sorry for not seeing you for who you truly are. We missed out on having a real dad, and realizing that now is painful,” Sandra added, her eyes moist.
Emotions swirled within me as I listened to their heartfelt apologies. They acknowledged my role in their lives, something I hadn’t dared hope for.
“Thank you,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle.”
As the wedding day approached, I fulfilled my promise and contributed to their celebrations. But the true gift wasn’t financial—it was the newfound respect and love that had blossomed among us.
Walking my daughters down the aisle, I felt a profound sense of pride not only in their happiness but in the journey we had all undertaken. It was a celebration of not just their love stories but of a family that had grown stronger and more respectful.
Their weddings marked not just a union of hearts but a testament to the power of family, forgiveness, and the unexpected ways love can flourish.
My Manicurist Told Me About Her Lover, Only to Realize She Was Talking About My Husband
My husband surprised me with an appointment with my manicurist, but during our session, I discovered the woman was cheating with him! Angry, I tried to retaliate by getting revenge, but when the truth came out, I was left with egg on my face!
When I went in for my manicurist appointment that day, I had no idea that I was about to get more than what I bargained for. What I discovered had me seething as I imagined the worst about my loving husband. But before we get there, let me backtrack a bit to the day before…
A woman at a beauty parlor | Source: Midjourney
It had been a long day of privately tutoring a mix of energetic six-year-olds learning their ABCs and a precocious eight-year-old trying to ace his fractions. By the time I got home, I was completely drained. Adam, my husband of seven years, greeted me with his signature boyish smile and a kiss on the forehead.
“How’s my favorite teacher?” he asked, handing me a cup of herbal tea.
“Tired,” I replied with a laugh, plopping onto the couch. “But your tea makes it better.”
A happy woman drinking tea | Source: Midjourney
Adam always had a way of making me feel like the most important person in the world. We were one of those couples people envied, with a solid partnership full of love and shared dreams.
We had just started planning for a family, and I’d been secretly pinning nursery ideas to my Pinterest board.
“I might have to work late tonight, and tomorrow I’ll be staying at work overnight, unfortunately,” Adam said, running a hand through his dark hair. “Big project at the office.”
A man running his hand through his hair | Source: Midjourney
I nodded, not thinking much of it. His job as a successful manager for a mid-sized marketing firm often demanded odd hours.
“Just don’t overwork yourself, okay?”
“I won’t,” he promised, kissing me again before adding, “To make it up to you, I booked an appointment for you tomorrow afternoon at Lily’s Luxe Nails.”
I got up and thanked him with a kiss before he gave me one on the cheek and disappeared into his home office.
A woman getting a kiss from her man | Source: Midjourney
The next day, I went and treated myself to the rare indulgence of a trip to Lily’s Luxe Nails. Lily, the owner, was one of my favorite people. She had a magnetic personality, full of dramatic flair and endless gossip!
Her stories always left me laughing or clutching my pearls.
As I settled into the chair, Lily approached with her usual wide grin.
“Honey, you’re glowing! Your hubby’s treating you well?”
A manicurist | Source: Midjourney
“As always,” I said, holding out my hands for her to examine.
She laughed, taking out her tools.
“Well, at least he’s worth it. Some of us don’t get that lucky.”
Her comment caught my attention. Lily wasn’t one to complain about her personal life. In fact, she often bragged about her adventures in romance.
“Oh? Someone giving you trouble?” I asked.
A woman getting her nails done | Source: Midjourney
She smirked, leaning in conspiratorially.
“No trouble at all. I’ve been seeing someone new, a real dreamboat! Smart, funny, successful! And let me tell you, he knows how to treat a lady!”
“Good for you! What’s it like?”
Lily’s eyes sparkled. “Our relationship is UNREAL! I’ve never felt ANYTHING like this before! Not even James compares to him!”
James is Lily’s husband. I’d met him before when he came to her workplace.
A happy man | Source: Midjourney
“I guess I am an old-fashioned girl, ’cause I could never cheat on my husband, and I’m pretty sure he feels the same way,” I responded.
“Girl, that’s YOUR loss! You wouldn’t believe how romantic he is. Last week, he showed up with flowers just because he ‘felt like it.’ You also haven’t SEEN who I’m talking about, don’t even get me started on his dimples!”
“Uh huh…,” I replied, still not convinced that cheating on Adam would be a good idea.
An unsure woman | Source: Midjourney
“He’s also a manager at some company. Busy as hell, but he always makes time for me. He’s planning to meet me tonight at that cute boutique hotel across the street while telling his wife he’s working late so we can meet up. I’m counting down the minutes!”
I froze, a strange chill creeping up my spine.
“That’s sweet,” I managed to say, my voice faltering.
Lily didn’t notice…
An unhappy woman | Source: Midjourney
Dimples? My chest tightened. Adam has dimples. Adam is a manager. Adam was supposed to be working late tonight. I tried to shake off the uneasy feeling clawing at my chest. It had to be a coincidence…
“Well, do you have a picture of this ‘dream guy’? I’m curious,” I asked, hoping to quash my paranoia.
Lily grinned, pulling out her phone.
“Of course, darling! Look at this stud muffin!” she said, pulling out her phone.
My stomach dropped.
An upset woman looking at a phone | Source: Midjourney
There he was, MY Adam, smiling in the photo with his arm casually draped around Lily. I stared at the picture, willing it to be fake. Maybe I was seeing things. Maybe it was a doppelgänger. But deep down, I knew the truth.
“Wow,” I said, my voice trembling as I lost it inside but kept it together for appearances. “He’s…definitely a catch.”
“Right?” Lily gushed, completely unaware of my turmoil as she placed her phone, still unlocked, on the table.
A phone on a manicurist’s table | Source: Midjourney
I forced a laugh, but my mind was racing.
“Excuse me,” I said, standing abruptly. I grabbed her phone quickly when she wasn’t looking. “I need to use the restroom.”
Once inside, I splashed cold water on my face, trying to steady my breathing. Adam. My Adam. Cheating with Lily? I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. But as the shock subsided, another emotion took its place: fury.
I wasn’t going to let this slide. I started plotting, and my revenge was going to be served cold tonight at the hotel across the street.
An upset woman in the bathroom | Source: Midjourney
I quickly saved Lily’s husband’s number on my phone, as he was a big part of my revenge.
After I finished my appointment with Lily, I called her husband and told him everything I knew about her affair with Adam. He was as shocked as I was and quickly on board with getting revenge that very night!
Before heading to the hotel together later that night, I insisted we stop at the hardware store. James trailed behind me as I loaded our cart with cans of unwashable paint.
A woman with paint cans | Source: Midjourney
“What’s this for?” he asked, still trying to make sense of my erratic behavior.
“I figured we could mark the cheaters with it. You’ll see,” I said curtly.
When we arrived at the hotel, James and I stood outside the hotel with our “props,” ready to make the “couple’s” meeting unforgettable.
“Are we seriously doing this?” James asked.
“Watch me,” I said with determination as I marched straight through the hotel’s doors, paint cans in hand!
An upset woman outside a hotel with paint cans | Source: Midjourney
When I flung open the doors, I expected to catch Adam and Lily red-handed. But instead, I found myself face-to-face with an entrance full of balloons, streamers, and a massive banner that read: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE!”
My jaw dropped. Standing in the middle of the room were Lily and Adam, grinning like a pair of mischievous kids. Behind them were my parents, my sister, and a handful of close friends!
“Surprise!” everyone yelled.
People at a surprise party | Source: Midjourney
I stood frozen, the paint cans slipping from my hands. “What…is this?” I stammered.
Adam stepped forward, his dimples on full display.
“It’s your birthday party, sweetheart! We wanted to do something special for you seeing as you ALWAYS forget your birthday.”
“Wait,” I said, my brain struggling to catch up. “So…you’re not cheating?”
Adam laughed, pulling me into a hug.
“Of course not. Lily, James, and I have been planning this for weeks!”
A man at a party | Source: Midjourney
James smiled, and that’s when I finally noticed that he’d joined the others. He stood embracing his wife as Lily chimed in, “You should’ve seen your face! Priceless!”
I burst into tears, overwhelmed with relief and embarrassment. “I thought…”
Adam cupped my face, wiping away my tears.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone that far with the plan. I thought you’d pick up what was happening when I booked your manicurist appointment, but you have to admit, this was worth it.”
It was…
A happy man | Source: Midjourney
The party was a smashing success, filled with laughter, cake, and heartfelt toasts! By the time we left the hotel the next morning, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world, albeit a little foolish for my earlier assumptions.
As we approached Adam’s car in the parking lot, we saw “CHEATER!!!!” scrawled across the windshield in bright red lipstick.
I groaned, covering my face. “I am so, so sorry.”
An embarrassed woman | Source: Midjourney
Adam just laughed.
“It’s washable, right? Besides, it’s a good story to tell our kids one day!”
As we cleaned the car together, I couldn’t help but laugh too. If nothing else, this would be a birthday I’d never forget!
A couple outside by a car | Source: Midjourney
Sadly, Adam’s wife isn’t the only woman to suspect her husband of cheating. Click here to read about a wife who believed her husband was cheating with their son’s fiancee only to discover a much harder truth.
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.
Leave a Reply