Excitement for their weekend getaway turned into frustration as Sarah’s friends dodged paying their share of the $2,000 cabin rental. Little did they know, she had a plan to make sure they didn’t get away with it.
Every year, my friends and I plan a girls’ weekend getaway. We take turns organizing, and this year, it was miy turn! I was excited to find the perfect spot: a cozy cabin nestled right on a sparkling lake.
We all squealed with delight when I sent the pictures.
A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels
The place looked like it came straight out of a magazine. It had a cozy cabin with a fireplace, stunning views of the lake, and even a hot tub.
The total cost was $2,000 for the three-night stay, which amounted to a very reasonable $250 each for our group of eight.
“Since I went ahead and booked the cabin, I covered the upfront cost,” I told my friends. “But to make things easier, I’d appreciate it if you could all pay me back before the trip. Does that work for everyone?”
A woman sitting in a living room | Source: Midjourney
“Sounds perfect, Sarah!” Mary chimed in first. “Thanks for taking care of that.”
“Absolutely, no problem at all,” echoed Ella.
“Great, that works for me too!” chimed in Brittany.
One by one, everyone around the table agreed.
“Yep, sounds good”
“No worries, I can do that.”
The confirmations rolled in. It seemed everyone was happy to handle their share and promised to pay me before the trip started.
Easy peasy, right?
Wrong.
Close-up of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney
As the trip approached, the easy peasy turned into oh-so-frustrating.
First, it was Mary. “Hey Sarah,” she chirped, “my car needs new brakes, so I might be a little late on my payment. I’ll get it to you next week.”
A week later, it was Brittany’s turn. “Ugh, student loans are killing me this month. Can I hold off until next payday?”
“I just need to wait until my next paycheck,” Melissa told me.
Weeks went by, and as I reminded them to pay back, they came up with more excuses.
Close-up of a phone in a woman’s hands | Source: Pexels
Each excuse was new and none of them overlapped. It seemed like they were together in this.
Then came the radio silence. Nada. No texts, no calls, nothing from Ella, Dana, or even reliable old Lisa.
By the week before the trip, I was out $2,000 and feeling completely used.
The same people I called my “friends” had indirectly refused to pay me back. The people I trusted the most had suddenly decided to team up against me.
Why were they doing this?
A serious woman | Source: Midjourney
Had I done something wrong? Or was this an attempt to see how I would react to such a tricky situation? I didn’t know what it was, but it was making me super angry.
I knew I had to do something drastic, something that would make them understand I wasn’t a doormat.
As a result, I decided it was time to teach them a lesson they wouldn’t forget. Now, I’m not one for confrontation, but this was ridiculous.
The night before the trip, I took a deep breath and picked up my phone to execute the first step of my plan.
A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney
I sent a group text, bubbling over with fake excitement. “Can’t wait to see you all at the cabin tomorrow! Gonna be the perfect weekend getaway!”
Little did they know, I had a devious plan brewing
The next morning, I woke up extra early and hopped out of my bed. Throwing on clothes, I raced out the door, eager to transform the cabin into our own little haven.
At the grocery store, I pushed my cart down the aisles.
A grocery cart filled with goods | Source: Pexels
A giddy smile appeared on my face as I filled it with fresh fruit, cheese, and enough snacks to satisfy an army. I even got the best selection of wine and juices. I wanted to make sure my friends were well-fed and taken care of.
After paying for the snacks and drinks, I got back into my car and drove towards the cabin. It was even more beautiful in person, the sunlight glinting off the lake like a million diamonds.
I stocked the fridge with everything that I had bought.
A woman putting something in the fridge | Source: Pexels
I even prepped a bonfire for that night, complete with cozy blankets and marshmallows.
The place looked perfect. I knew my friends would have the best time of their lives here.
But here’s the catch: I took the keys and the garage door opener with me when I left for an “errand.”
Before locking the cabin, I texted all my friends that I was out for an urgent task and would make it there by the time they arrived. They trusted me, just like I did when I asked them to pay me back.
However, they broke my trust, and so did I.
A woman holding a key | Source: Midjourney
If they wanted to have a good time in the cabin, they had to follow my rules. They had to earn their weekend getaway.
I wasn’t going to let them have a good time when all they did was ignore my texts and calls.
By lunchtime, my phone started blowing up. Frantic texts and calls poured in from my friends.
“Hey, Sarah, we’re here at the cabin, but the doors are locked!” Ella said.
“Did you forget something?” Mary asked.
A woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels
I kept my cool, replying with a simple, “Oh no! So sorry, guys. Must have left the keys at home. But hey, the good news is I’m on my way back now!”
Was I on my way back? No!
I was sitting at a nearby cafe, sipping on my favorite iced latte. I enjoyed reading their texts as they reached the cabin one after the other.
After I sent the last message, the frequency of their texts dropped. They felt relieved I was on my way back, but the truth was entirely different.
A woman in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
As their short-lived relief faded, they started calling and texting me again. This time, their messages were way more desperate. Some of my friends were angry, while others were struggling not to lose their temper.
“How can you be so forgetful, Sarah?” Lisa asked.
“I can’t believe you’re making us all wait like this!” Dana said. “I thought this was supposed to be a fun trip.”
Finally, I decided to drop the bomb.
A woman looking outside a window in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
I sent a calm message: “Look, I’ll be happy to come back and let you all in, but only once everyone has sent over their share of the rental cost.”
Silence.
Then, a flurry of activity.
Apparently, the prospect of a luxurious weekend getaway suddenly trumped car troubles, student loans, and all the other excuses they’d cooked up.
My phone buzzed with Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle notifications as payments started rolling in.
Within an hour, every penny was accounted for.
Close-up shot of a phone | Source: Pexels
“You guys could have done this before!” I said to myself before grabbing the keys and heading back to the cabin.
Their eyes lit up as soon as they saw my car. Some walked toward me, others to the door.
“Sarah! Finally!” Mary exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.
I stepped out of the car, keys in hand. “Oh, so now I’m ‘finally’ here? How convenient,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
The group fell silent, guilt spreading across their faces.
A serious woman | Source: Pexels
“Look, I’m sorry,” Brittany started. “But you have to understand, I really—”
I cut her off. “No, Brittany. You all made excuses. I trusted you, and you took advantage of that.”
Lisa stepped forward, trying to mediate. “Sarah, we messed up. But can’t we just put this behind us and enjoy the weekend?”
“Enjoy the weekend?” I scoffed. “After you all made me feel like a fool? After I had to practically blackmail you to get my money back?”
“We didn’t mean to hurt you,” Ella said softly. “We just didn’t realize—”
A woman speaking to her friend | Source: Midjourney
“Didn’t realize what? That $2,000 is a lot of money? That friendships are built on trust and respect?”
A tense silence fell over the group. For a moment, I thought confronting them was a bad idea. I thought they’d say they didn’t want to be there anymore.
I stood my ground despite the fear, letting the weight of my words sink in.
Finally, Mary broke the silence. She wrapped me in a giant hug.
“Sarah, I’m so sorry about the car thing. You were totally right to be mad.”
Brittany chimed in, “Yeah, me too. I’m sorry. We’re all sorry.”
A group of friends hugging | Source: Pexels
They all finally realized what they had done.
I took a deep breath, looking at each of them. “I’m glad you understand now. But remember, respect is a two-way street.”
We may not be planning any luxury cabin getaways anytime soon, but at least we’ll be doing it with a renewed sense of understanding and responsibility.
This whole experience definitely made for a memorable story, even if it wasn’t exactly the relaxing weekend I’d planned.
But hey, sometimes the best lessons come wrapped in a little frustration and a whole lot of determination.
What do you think?
A lakeside cabin | Source: Pexels
Here’s another story you might like: Eight hundred dollars plus. That’s what Jack’s “boys’ night out” bill came to, and he expected his wife, Lora, to foot it. Waitress Melanie, witnessing Lora’s despair, concocted a bold move to ensure Jack’s night didn’t end as he planned.
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 New Wife Demanded I Use My Late Wife’s Money Left for Our Kids on Her Daughters — My Lesson Was Strict
I knew things would change when I remarried, but I never expected my new wife to go after my late wife’s money. It was meant for our daughters’ future, not hers. She thought she could pressure me into it. What came next would teach her a lesson she’d never forget.
A tear escaped my eye as I clutched a photo of my late wife and our daughters at the beach. “I miss you, Ed,” I whispered, my fingers caressing Edith’s face in the picture. “The girls… they’re growing up so fast. I wish you could see them now.” Her radiant smile gazed up at me from the photo, her eyes sparkling with a life that cancer had stolen far too soon…
A man holding a framed photo of his wife and kids | Source: Midjourney
A soft knock interrupted my reminiscing. My mother poked her head in, her eyes full of concern.
“Charlie, honey, you can’t keep living in the past. It’s been three years. You need to move on. Those girls need a mother figure.”
I sighed, setting the photo frame down. “Mom, we’re doing fine. The girls are—”
“Getting older!” She cut me off, settling beside me on the couch. “I know you’re trying, but you’re not getting any younger. What about that nice woman from your office? Gabriela?”
A smiling older woman | Source: Midjourney
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. “Gaby? Mom, she’s just a coworker.”
“And a single mother, just like you’re a single father. Think about it, Charlie. For the girls’ sake.”
As she left, her words echoed in my mind. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to move forward.
One year later, I stood in our backyard, watching Gaby interact with my daughters. She’d swooped into our lives like a whirlwind, and before I knew it, we were married.
It wasn’t the same as with Edith, but it was… nice.
A happy couple | Source: Midjourney
“Dad! Watch this!” my youngest called out, attempting a cartwheel.
I clapped, forcing a smile. “Great job, sweetie!”
Gaby sidled up to me, linking her arm through mine. “They’re wonderful girls, Charlie. You’ve done an amazing job.”
I nodded, pushing down the pang of guilt that always surfaced when she complimented my parenting. “Thanks, Gaby. I’m trying my best.”
“You’re such a stellar parent. Your kids must be so lucky.”
Side shot of a woman staring at someone | Source: Midjourney
As we headed inside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with the way Gaby had said it. But I pushed it aside, determined to make this new family work.
That’s when Gaby cornered me in the kitchen, her eyes gleaming with a look I’d never seen before.
“Charlie, we need to talk about the girls’ trust fund,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet.
I froze, my coffee mug halfway to my lips. “What trust fund?”
Side shot of a startled man | Source: Midjourney
Gaby rolled her eyes, dropping the act. “Don’t play dumb. I heard you on the phone with your financial advisor. Edith left quite a nest egg for the girls, didn’t she?”
My stomach churned. I’d never mentioned the fund to her. Never thought I’d need to.
“That’s for their future, Gaby. College, starting out in life—”
“Exactly!” she cut in. “And what about my girls? Don’t they deserve the same opportunities?”
A woman looking at a man | Source: Midjourney
I set my mug down, trying to keep my voice level. “Of course they do, but that money… it’s Edith’s legacy to her children.”
Gaby’s eyes narrowed. “Her children? We’re supposed to be one family now, Charlie. Or was that all just talk?”
“That’s not fair,” I protested. “I’ve treated your daughters like my own since day one.”
“Treated them like your own? Please. If that were true, you wouldn’t be hoarding that money for just your biological kids.”
The room felt like a pressure cooker ready to burst as I stared at Gaby, her words still ringing in my ears.
A man looking up | Source: Midjourney
I took a deep breath, fighting to stay calm. “Gaby, that fund is not ours to touch. It’s for my daughters’ future.”
“So that’s it? Your dead wife’s wishes matter more than your living family?”
“Don’t you dare speak about Edith that way. This discussion ends now. That money is not up for debate. Period.”
Gaby’s face flushed with anger. “You’re impossible! How can you be so stubborn?”
A man yelling at a woman | Source: Midjourney
My jaw tightened, muscles twitching as I fought to maintain control. I barely recognized the woman standing before me, so different from the one I thought I’d married.
A plan formed in my mind.
“Fine! You’re right. I’ll sort this out tomorrow, okay?”
Gaby’s eyes lit up, clearly thinking she’d won. “Really? You mean it?”
I nodded.
A man looking at a woman | Source: Midjourney
Gaby’s lips curled into a smug smile. “Good. It’s about time you saw reason.”
She turned on her heel, marching out of the room. The slam of the door echoed through the house, a punctuation mark to her tantrum.
I sank into a chair, running my hands over my face. Gaby had shown her true colors, and now it was time for a hard lesson in respect and the dangers of entitlement.
Portrait of a man sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney
The next morning, I made a show of calling my financial advisor, making sure Gaby could overhear.
“Yes, I’d like to set up a new account,” I said loudly. “It’s for my stepdaughters. We’ll fund it from our joint income going forward.”
I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me and turned to see Gaby standing in the doorway, her face twisted with surprise and anger.
“What are you doing?” she barked as I hung up.
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
“Creating a fund for your daughters, like you wanted. We’ll contribute to it together, from what we earn.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And Edith’s money?”
“Remains untouched. That’s non-negotiable.”
“You think this solves anything? This is a slap in the face!”
“No, Gaby. This is me setting boundaries. We build our family’s future together, not by taking what isn’t ours to take.”
She jabbed a finger at my chest. “You’re choosing your daughters over us. Admit it!”
“I’m choosing to honor Edith’s wishes. And if you can’t respect that, then we have a serious problem.”
A frustrated woman | Source: Midjourney
Gaby’s eyes filled with tears, but I couldn’t tell if they were genuine or manipulative. “I thought we were partners, Charlie. I thought what was yours was mine.”
“We are partners, Gaby. But that doesn’t mean erasing the past or disregarding Edith’s legacy.”
She turned away, her shoulders shaking. “You’re being so unfair.”
As she left the room, I called after her, “Unfair or not. But know this: my decision stands.”
A woman walking away | Source: Pexels
The following weeks were filled with icy silences and clipped conversations. Gaby alternated between trying to guilt-trip me and giving me the cold shoulder. But I stood firm, refusing to budge.
One evening, as I tucked my daughters into bed, my oldest asked, “Daddy, is everything okay with you and Gaby?”
I paused, choosing my words carefully. “We’re working through some grown-up stuff, sweetheart. But don’t worry, okay?”
She nodded, but her eyes were worried. “We don’t want you to be sad again, Daddy.”
A sad little girl hugging a teddy bear in bed | Source: Midjourney
My heart clenched. I pulled her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. “I’m not sad, honey. I promise. Your happiness is what matters most to me.”
As I left their room, I found Gaby waiting in the hallway, her arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
“They’re good kids, Charlie. But my girls deserve just as much.”
I sighed, realizing her stance hadn’t changed. “They are good kids. All of them. And they all deserve our support.”
Rear view of a woman standing in the living room | Source: Midjourney
She scoffed, shaking her head. “Support? That trust fund would’ve been a REAL support. But you just had to play the hero for your precious Edith, didn’t you?”
“This isn’t about playing hero. It’s about respect. Respect for Edith’s wishes and for our daughters’ future.”
“And what about my daughters’ future? Or does that not matter to you?”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “We’ve set up a fund for them too. We’re building it together, remember? That’s how we move forward.”
A woman staring at a man | Source: Midjourney
She laughed bitterly. “Oh, please. That’s just your way of placating me. It’s not the same and you know it.”
Our eyes met, and I saw the storm brewing in hers, just as I knew she saw mine. I realized this battle was far from over. But I also knew I’d never back down.
Months passed, and while the arguments became less frequent, the underlying resentment remained. One evening, as I watched all four girls playing in the backyard, Gaby approached me.
A woman looking outside | Source: Midjourney
“They look happy,” she said.
I nodded, not taking my eyes off the children. “They do.”
She turned to me, her expression hard. “But it could’ve been better for all of them if you’d just listened to me.”
I met her gaze steadily. “No, Gaby. It wouldn’t have been better. It would’ve been unfair and disrespectful.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but I held up a hand. “This discussion is over. It has been for months.”
A woman furrowing her brows | Source: Midjourney
As she stormed off, a surge of sadness and relief engulfed me. Gaby had shown her true colors, and while it pained me to see our marriage strained, I knew I’d done the right thing.
She’d learned quickly that I wasn’t a pushover. If she thought she could waltz into our lives and rewrite the rules for her benefit, she had another thing coming.
This was the wake-up call she needed, harsh as it might be.
A woman standing in a room | Source: Midjourney
I’d made my stance crystal clear: Edith’s legacy for our children was untouchable. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
And seeing Gaby come to terms with the fact that she couldn’t manipulate or bully me into submission? It was worth every second!
As I watched my daughters laugh and play, my heart swelled with a determination to be the best father I could be. I’d protected what mattered most: their future and the memory of their mother. Whatever challenges lay ahead with Gaby, I knew I’d face them head-on, just as I’d done from the start.
Four girls playing in the backyard | Source: Midjourney
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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