When Ellie’s family returns from their Christmas getaway, they’re shocked to find their house egged and a cryptic note left behind. Determined to uncover the culprit, Ellie checks the security footage, only to discover the vandal is someone very close to her. Confronting the person reveals years of hurt and manipulation that nearly tears their bond apart. Can Ellie handle it?
Christmas has always been about family. That’s why, for the last four years, my husband Ethan, our seven-year-old daughter Maddie, our five-year-old son Noah, and I had made it a tradition to escape to the islands.
Just the four of us, basking in the sun, recharging before the whirlwind of holiday dinners and social obligations hit.
Two children at the beach | Source: Midjourney
And this year was no different. Or so I thought.
When we pulled into our driveway after the trip, I froze.
Our house looked like a crime scene.
Raw eggs dripped from the walls in sticky streams, the porch was littered with broken shells, and even the holiday wreath I’d lovingly crafted was a splattered, smelly mess.
A house covered in eggs | Source: AmoMama
“What the hell?” Ethan muttered, stepping out of the car, Noah on his heels.
“Mom, what happened?” Maddie asked from the backseat.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” I said, feeling a knot tighten in my chest.
Noah crouched beside the mess.
A little girl sitting in a car | Source: Midjourney
“Could a bird do this, Dad?” he asked.
I tried to keep calm for the kids, but inside, I was fuming.
Who would do this?
We were good neighbors — no, we were great neighbors! I baked cookies for new families, helped organize block parties, and I never turned down a chance to lend a hand.
This wasn’t random vandalism. It was targeted. It had to be.
A plate of cookies | Source: Midjourney
Then Ethan found the note. It was stuffed under the doorframe, the edges crumpled and damp. He handed it to me.
This is for what you took from me before Christmas.
I stared at the words, my mind racing.
What had I taken? And from whom?
That night, after putting the kids to bed, Ethan and I went straight to the security cameras. As we scrolled through the footage, my stomach churned.
A piece of paper on the floor | Source: Midjourney
The camera captured a hooded figure sneaking up our driveway, cartons of eggs in hand. Each throw was deliberate, as though they’d rehearsed the motion. This wasn’t a prank; it was a vendetta.
“This is insane,” Ethan said. “Who even does this anymore? This is a drunken prank for rowdy teens. Eggs and toilet paper.”
Then, something about the figure made me freeze. The way they tilted their head. The way their shoulders slumped between throws. My breath caught in my throat.
A person holding a carton of eggs | Source: Midjourney
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “It can’t be.”
But it was.
The hooded figure vandalizing our home was my mother.
The next morning, I left Ethan with the kids and drove to my mom’s house. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly I thought I might snap it in two.
A woman in a car | Source: Midjourney
When I rang the bell, she opened the door with her usual warm smile.
“Ellie! What a surprise!”
“Why?” I blurted, skipping the pleasantries. “Just explain why.”
Her smile faltered.
“Why what? Explain what?” she asked.
A woman standing in a doorway | Source: Midjourney
“Why would you do that to us? Don’t even try to hide it, Mom. Come on!”
She blinked, her face going pale as she tried to figure out what to say. Then, she looked away, her expression clouded with guilt.
“Come sit down, El,” she said.
“I don’t want to sit down, Mom. I want to know why you took it upon yourself to mess up my house.”
A woman standing in a living room | Source: Midjourney
“It was because of your mother-in-law,” she said finally, her voice tight.
“What does Gloria have to do with it?” I asked.
“She called me, Eleanor,” my mother snapped, anger seeping into her voice. “Right before Christmas, she called to gloat about how you and Ethan were taking her on your precious island vacation. She said you made her feel so included, so special. And that she got quality time with the kids. And me? Oh, I was just left here to sit alone in the cold.”
An older woman at the beach | Source: Midjourney
I stared at her, completely stunned.
“Mom,” I said softly. “We didn’t take Gloria with us. That’s not true at all. She wasn’t on the trip, I promise!”
My mom’s eyes widened.
“But then… why would she say that?”
“To hurt you,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “To make you feel exactly this way. To drive a wedge between us. Why would I take Gloria and not my own mother?”
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
She sank onto the couch, covering her face with her hands.
“I was so angry, Ellie. I felt invisible, like I didn’t matter to you anymore. And I… I lost control.”
Her words cut deep because they weren’t entirely wrong.
A woman holding her head | Source: Midjourney
If I’m being completely honest, the truth was that I had let my mom drift to the edges of our lives. I adored her, of course, but between raising two young kids, managing a full-time job, and keeping up with everything else, I hadn’t noticed how isolated she’d become.
Looking back, the signs were there. The hesitation in her voice during phone calls, the way she’d stopped dropping by unannounced, usually with baked treats for us all.
I’d let my schedule get away with me. And I hadn’t thought about the consequences.
A woman working at her laptop | Source: Midjourney
“Mom,” I said gently, sitting beside her. “What you did was wrong. But I understand why you felt hurt. And I’m sorry if I made you feel left out. I’ve let life get away with me, Momma. It’s been a challenge, juggling work and the kids.”
Her face crumpled.
“I’m so sorry, Ellie,” she said. “I’ll fix everything! I promise! I’ll pay for the cleaning, and I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
A crying older woman | Source: Midjourney
“We’ll clean it up, Mom,” I interrupted. “Together. But it starts with us fixing us. No more games. No more letting other people’s words twist how we feel. Okay?”
She nodded, her relief palpable. We hugged, and for the first time in years, it felt like the walls between us were finally coming down.
That afternoon, Mom came over with a bucket of soapy water and a stack of rags. Together, we scrubbed the egg off the walls, the porch, and the windows.
A bucket of soapy water | Source: Midjourney
It was messy, smelly, exhausting work, but somehow, with each streak we wiped away, it felt like we were wiping away years of tension too.
By the time we finished, the house looked — and felt — whole again.
That night, after Ethan and I made grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids and put them to bed, we sat down to talk with a glass of wine.
Grilled cheese sandwiches | Source: Midjourney
“Babe, it was your mom that started this whole thing. Gloria called my mom and told her that she was on vacation with us and was having the time of her life. She made it seem so real that my mom broke.”
“You’re kidding, El,” Ethan said, shaking his head. “She really did that? What on earth was she thinking?”
“I have no idea, but I think you need to talk to her. I need to focus on my mom, honey. She’s been feeling abandoned for years, and this was just her breaking point. I’m sorry, but Gloria is on you.”
A man sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney
“I’ll call her,” Ethan said, his voice firm. “She’ll have no choice but to tell me the truth.”
Ethan went into our bedroom and called his mother, while I called my mom again.
“Mom, why don’t you come over to celebrate New Year’s Eve with us? We’re just going to be at home, okay? Let’s just eat and drink and have a good time!”
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then her voice brightened in a way I hadn’t heard in a long time.
“You really mean that?” she asked.
“I do, Mom,” I said. “It’s time.”
On New Year’s Eve, Mom arrived with a tray of homemade dumplings, a chocolate cake, and lamingtons for the kids. She was wearing a sparkling dress that made her look about ten years younger.
A platter of lamingtons | Source: Midjourney
Maddie and Noah rushed to greet her at the door, clinging to her legs as she fussed over them. Ethan handed her a glass of champagne and even managed to make her laugh with one of his notoriously terrible jokes.
At midnight, as the fireworks lit up the sky outside, we raised our glasses together.
“Cheers to new beginnings,” my mom said softly.
Fireworks in the night sky | Source: Midjourney
I looked around the room — at my kids’ happy, sleepy faces, my husband’s arm draped around my shoulders, and my mother, glowing with joy. Something shifted.
A week later, Ethan and I sat down with Gloria at a coffee shop.
“Mom, explain yourself,” Ethan said, adding sugar to his coffee. “And don’t deny anything. Be honest.”
A woman sitting in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
“I lied to your mother because I was hurt that you guys didn’t invite us. I don’t know why I did it, but I did. I think I felt overcome with loneliness too. You know how the holidays can creep up on widows…”
“Why didn’t you just go over and spend time with her?” I asked, taking a bite of my croissant. “You were both lonely. You could have spent time together and enjoyed the holidays getting to know each other better. You could have watched movies and baked and talked until the early hours of the morning.”
A croissant and coffee at a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
“I wasn’t thinking, Ellie,” she said, her voice breaking. “I would take it all back in a heartbeat if I could, I promise you that.”
We were all silent for a while.
“So, now what?” Ethan asked.
“I’m going to phone Irene and make things right. I’m going to plan a tea party with her and make this better. We’ll fix it. Just you see.”
A tea party setting | Source: Midjourney
“I hope so, Gloria,” I said. “Because we can’t have the kids torn between their grandmothers. I’m not going to allow that.”
“As you should!” she exclaimed. “I wouldn’t allow it either. I’ll fix it, Ellie. Don’t you worry about that, love.”
In the end, we left our mothers to themselves, and slowly but surely, they did fix their relationship. Now, they are mahjong buddies who bake something new every weekend.
And for the record, I can’t stand eggs anymore.
A carton of eggs on a counter | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done?
If you’ve enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you:
When Sarah gets home from the usual errands with her kids, the last thing she expects is to hear her husband spilling his true feelings about her — that she is just a means to an end in his life. But Sarah isn’t about to let Ethan get away with his callous behavior. Instead, she decides to teach him a lesson.
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 Entitled Son Punished Me for a ‘Cheap’ Wedding Gift, but Karma Had My Back
James dismissed his father’s generous wedding gift as “cheap,” pursuing a lavish lifestyle with Emily that ultimately left them broke and returning home. What followed was a humbling journey of hard work and gratitude.
Happy elderly man standing at door entrance | Source: Unsplash
When James announced his plans to marry Emily, his long-time girlfriend, I was over the moon. As a father, you dream of the day your child finds someone to share their life with, and here it was, right before my eyes.
“Congratulations, son! I knew this day would come,” I said, pulling James into a bear hug. His face lit up with a smile, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.
Excited elderly man | Source: Unsplash
Emily, standing beside him, blushed and showed off her engagement ring. “We’re so happy, Dad. We can’t wait to start our life together,” James added, his eyes shining with excitement.
I wanted to help them start on solid ground, so I made a promise that came from the deepest part of my heart. “Listen, James, I want to give you and Emily a gift, a significant one. I’ll give you as much as I can for a down payment on your new home.”
Two men talking | Source: Pexels
James looked at me, surprised. “Dad, you don’t have to…”
“I want to,” I interrupted, holding up my hand. “I know it’s not a fortune, but it’s a substantial amount for me, given my modest savings.”
The months flew by, and the day came when I handed over the check with pride. I was beaming, imagining their gratitude and excitement. “Here it is, son,” I said, handing James the envelope. “This will help you start your life together.”
Person holding a brown envelope | Source: Pexels
James opened the envelope and looked at the check. His smile faded, replaced by a frown of disbelief. “Dad, is this a joke?” he asked, his tone cold.
My heart sank. “What do you mean, James? It’s the best I could do. I hoped it would help.”
“This is nothing!” James exclaimed, shaking the check in my face. “This won’t even make a dent in the housing market in Colorado. It’s so cheap, Dad. I thought you cared more about my future than this.”
Man checking the money in the envelope | Source: Pexels
I stood there, stunned and hurt. “James, I’ve worked hard to save this money. It’s a significant amount for me. You and Emily can add some of your savings and…”
“Forget it,” James snapped, cutting me off. “We’ll never be able to buy a house with this.”
I watched as he stormed out, leaving me with a mix of anger and sadness. How could he be so ungrateful? I had hoped this gesture would bring us closer, but it seemed to have done the opposite.
Couple leaving a building | Source: Pexels
That evening, I sat down with my wife, Linda, and shared what had happened. “I can’t believe he reacted like that,” I said, my voice trembling. Linda sighed, placing her hand on mine. “Give him time, Frank. He’s young and stressed about the future. Maybe he’ll come around.”
But James didn’t come around. Instead, he started punishing us for what he perceived as a slight. He stopped visiting us on holidays, even though he and Emily had enough money for vacations, dining out at expensive restaurants, and buying luxury items.
Couple on a luxurious vacation | Source: Pexels
It hurt to see him live lavishly while ignoring us, especially knowing how hard I had worked to give him that money. Karma has a way of coming full circle, and James was about to learn that the hard way.
Months after our heated confrontation, Linda and I continued with our modest lives while James and Emily chased after a luxurious lifestyle that seemed increasingly out of reach.
Person pouring wine on glass | Source: Pexels
“Did you hear about the house they bought?” Linda asked one evening as we sat in our cozy living room.
“Yes, a grand place,” I replied, the bitterness creeping into my voice. “They can barely afford it.”
Linda sighed, her eyes filled with worry. “I just hope they know what they’re doing.”
The housing market was booming, and James and Emily were confident they’d struck gold. But in the world of finance, what goes up must come down.
Luxurious villa | Source: Pexels
The housing bubble burst, and they found themselves trapped in a nightmare. Their once-grand home was now worth far less than what they paid. The mortgage payments became a suffocating burden, forcing them to sell off their luxuries to make ends meet.
One evening, the phone rang as Linda and I were finishing dinner. It was James, and his voice was frantic. “Dad, I need your help,” he said, his voice trembling.
Man talking on phone | Source: Pexels
“What’s wrong, James?” I asked, my heart pounding with concern and lingering resentment.
“We…we made a mistake. We invested our remaining savings in a scheme promising high returns. It was a scam, Dad. We’ve lost everything,” he confessed, his voice breaking.
I felt a rush of emotions: anger, sadness, and a tinge of vindication. But overriding all that was the concern for my son. “James, come home. We’ll figure this out together,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Elderly man on phone | Source: Unsplash
When James and Emily arrived, they were a shadow of their former selves. Gone were the designer clothes and confident smiles. They stood before us, humbled and broken, with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“Welcome home,” Linda said softly, pulling them into a hug. I joined in, feeling the weight of the situation.
As we sat in the living room, James looked around, his eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry, Dad. I was so wrong.”
Elderly couple embracing their children | Source: Pexels
I nodded, my throat tight. “Let’s not dwell on the past. We have to move forward. But know this, James: the road ahead won’t be easy.”
That night, as they settled into the guest room, Linda and I sat up talking. “What do we do now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“We help them rebuild, but we don’t make it too easy. They need to learn the value of hard work and gratitude,” I replied, my mind racing with plans.
Elderly couple having a conversation | Source: Pexels
The next morning, I found James in the kitchen, making coffee. He looked up, his eyes weary but determined. “Dad, I’m going to find a job. Whatever it takes, I’ll make things right.”
I nodded. “Good. It’s time you learned what it means to truly work for something.”
Men talking in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
Days turned into weeks, and James threw himself into finding work. He took on multiple jobs, from waiting tables to working at a warehouse. Emily did the same, determined to stand by his side through thick and thin.
They worked tirelessly; every dollar earned a testament to their newfound humility. As the months passed, James and Emily began to appreciate the simple joys of life.
Waiter serving a customer | Source: Unsplash
They found comfort in the warmth of family dinners and the importance of saving for the future. With every humble meal and shared laugh, they grew closer to each other and to Linda and me.
“Remember when we used to eat out at fancy restaurants every weekend?” Emily said one evening, stirring a pot of stew on our stove.
James chuckled, setting the table. “Yeah, and now I wouldn’t trade this for anything. There’s something special about home-cooked meals and family time.”
Person holding a platter of home-baked biscuits | Source: Pexels
I smiled, feeling a sense of pride. They were learning the value of hard work and gratitude, lessons I had hoped they would understand one day.
As their savings grew, they managed to scrape together enough to move out and rent a small apartment. It wasn’t the luxurious life they once aspired to, but it was a start. They learned to live within their means, valuing every dollar and the effort it took to earn it.
Couple moving into a new apartment | Source: Pexels
One evening, as we sat on their modest balcony, James turned to me with a thoughtful look. “Dad, I finally get it. Entitlement and greed led me down a dark path. It’s gratitude and humility that bring true happiness.”
I nodded, feeling a surge of emotion. “I’m proud of you, James. You’ve come a long way. The real gift is understanding the value of what you have, not just what you want.”
People having a conversation | Source: Pexels
Emily joined the conversation, her voice soft but resolute. “We’ve realized that life isn’t about material wealth. It’s about the love and support we have, the hard work we put in, and the simple joys we often overlook.”
James squeezed her hand. “You and Mom taught us that. And now, we’re ready to rebuild our lives with those lessons in mind.” As I looked at my son and his fiancée, I felt a deep sense of contentment.
A happy family | Source: Pexels
Through their struggles, they learned the importance of family, hard work, and the true value of the gifts they had been given. Our once strained relationship had grown stronger, built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding.
In the end, it was clear: Karma had taught James a powerful lesson. Entitlement and greed lead to downfall, while gratitude and humility pave the way to true happiness and success. As we sat there under the setting sun, I knew that the future, though uncertain, held promise and hope for all of us.
Woman wearing glasses | Source: Pexels
If you found our story of humility and growth compelling, here is another one about how an entitled daughter-in-law demanded her MIL retire and how the woman’s son stood up for her. It’s a story of confrontation, realization, and the power of standing up for what’s right. You won’t want to miss it.
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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