Who steals from their daughter? My stepmom did. She swiped $5K from my college fund for veneers. For a perfect Hollywood smile. But karma hit faster than a dental drill, leaving her with more regret than glam.
They say money can’t buy happiness, but my stepmom sure thought it could buy a million-dollar smile. The kicker? She stole from my college fund (which was set up by my late mom) to install her veneers and acted like it wasn’t a big deal. But don’t worry! Sit back, relax, and let me tell you about the day karma grew teeth and bit back.
A distressed teenage girl lost in deep thought | Source: Midjourney
I’m Kristen, your average 17-year-old with dreams bigger than my stepmom’s ego. My mom passed away when I was young, but she left behind a college fund. It wasn’t huge, but it was a start to secure my future.
My dad, Bob, and I had been adding to it ever since, mostly from my part-time gigs tutoring kids who think “Pi” is something you eat with ice cream. And some babysitting, which paid me weekly.
Everything went well until, ta-da — enter Tracy, my stepmother and the human embodiment of a selfie stick.
An elegant senior lady holding a glass of wine | Source: Pexels
This woman spends more time in front of the mirror than a mime pretending to be trapped in a box. I swear, if vanity were an Olympic sport, Tracy would make Narcissus look like an amateur.
She’s so obsessed with appearances. Her clothes, hair, and nails always have to be perfect. It’s like she’s trying to be a real-life Barbie. (Sorry, Barbie!)
She spends hours in front of the mirror but never has time for anything that really matters, like, oh I don’t know, being a decent human. It’s like she’s got a mirror installed in her brain.
A senior woman applying lipstick | Source: Pexels
One fateful day, I came home to find Tracy grinning like she’d just won the lottery.
“Kristen, darling!” she chirped, her voice sweeter than a hummingbird’s diet. “Guess what your amazing stepmom is going to do?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Finally learn how to use the washing machine without flooding the laundry room?”
A young girl crossing her arms | Source: Midjourney
Tracy’s smile faltered for a microsecond before returning full force. “No, silly! I’m getting veneers! Isn’t that fabulous?”
“Uh, congrats?” I muttered, wondering why this warranted a full-blown announcement.
“Oh, don’t look so glum!” she gushed. “This is cause for celebration! And the best part? I found a way to make it happen without breaking the bank.”
That’s when my stomach dropped faster than a skydiver with a faulty parachute. “What do you mean?”
A senior woman sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels
Tracy’s smile widened like a Cheshire cat, except her teeth looked more like a set of construction cones dipped in mustard.
“Well, I borrowed a little from your college fund. Just $5,000!”
I stood there, mouth agape, feeling like I’d just been sucker-punched by the Tooth Fairy on steroids. “You did WHAT? You STOLE my college fund?”
Tracy rolled her eyes dramatically. “Stole? I’m family. It’s not a big deal, honey!”
A shocked teenage girl | Source: Midjourney
“You had NO RIGHT! That money’s for my future. My mom set it up for me.”
“Oh, save the theatrics! It’s just money. And your father agreed to it,” Tracy winked.
Now, that was a lie bigger than her future dental bill. Dad wouldn’t agree to this in a million years. He’s more likely to willingly sit through a marathon of Tracy’s favorite reality TV shows.
A furious young girl frowning | Source: Midjourney
I stormed out, slamming my bedroom door hard enough to make the house shake. I immediately called Dad, who was just as shocked as I was.
“I’ll talk to her,” he promised. In Dad’s terms, that meant “I’ll mention it once and hope it magically resolves itself.”
A few weeks later, Tracy got her veneers. She strutted around the house like she was America’s Next Top Model, flashing her new teeth at every opportunity. It was like living with a deranged lighthouse.
A young lady talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, Kristen,” she cooed one evening, “don’t forget to smile at your little tutoring class. Although,” she paused, giving me a once-over, “maybe you should keep your mouth closed. You wouldn’t want to scare those kids away with those ugly alligator teeth of yours!”
I bit my tongue so hard I thought I might need veneers myself. “Right,” I muttered. “Because blowing five grand on fake choppers is totally normal, yeah?”
Tracy’s eyes narrowed. “Watch it, Missy. Remember who puts a roof over your head.”
“Pretty sure that’s still Dad,” I shot back, slamming the door behind me.
A closed door upstairs | Source: Pexels
A month after her “transformation,” Tracy decided to throw a BBQ to show off her new chompers to the entire neighborhood. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion but with more potato salad.
“Ladies, gather ’round!” Tracy announced on the fateful day, clinking her wine glass with a spoon. “I simply must tell you about my transformation!”
Yeah, more like a sci-fi metamorphosis from yellow-stained vampire fangs to a Hollywood smile! I rolled my eyes so hard I could practically see my brain.
A smiling senior woman holding a wine glass and bottle | Source: Pexels
“It’s all thanks to the marvelous Dr. Kapoor,” Tracy gushed. “He’s not just a dentist, he’s an artist! A smile sculptor! A tooth whisperer!”
“Did he whisper to your wallet too?” I muttered under my breath.
Tracy continued, oblivious to my sarcasm. “And of course, some smart investments made it all possible!”
I nearly choked on my lemonade. Smart investments? Is that what we’re calling theft these days?
Two elegantly dressed women laughing | Source: Pexels
Just then, Tracy set her wine glass down and reached for a piece of corn on the cob. “You know, ladies, life is all about taking chances and—”
C-R-A-C-K!
The sound echoed across the backyard like a gunshot. Tracy’s eyes went wide, her hand flying to her mouth faster than you could say “dental disaster.”
“Oh my God, Tracy! Are you okay?” one of her friends gasped.
But Tracy was far from okay. There, nestled in the butter of her corn on the cob, was one of her precious veneers and whatever was left of her rotten tooth. The gap in her smile was so big, it could swallow a whole lollipop!
Close-up of a shocked woman with a missing tooth | Source: Midjourney
“I… I…” Tracy stammered, suddenly sounding like she was auditioning for the role of Sylvester the Cat. “Ekthcuthe me!”
She bolted into the house, leaving behind a yard full of bewildered guests and one very satisfied stepdaughter trying desperately not to burst into maniacal laughter.
The aftermath was more glorious than I could have imagined. Tracy became a dental hermit, refusing to leave the house. When she finally called Dr. Kapoor, I overheard a conversation that was music to my ears and nails on a chalkboard to hers.
A young lady laughing | Source: Midjourney
“What do you mean it’ll cotht more to fikth?” Tracy shrieked into the phone. “Thith ith your fault! You thaid thethe were top quality!”
Turns out, Tracy had opted for the bargain basement veneers. The cherry on the cake? She would have to pay a hefty chunk to redo the whole veneer! Karma, as they say, is a witch with a capital B, and she had just given Tracy a dental spanking.
Dad, finally growing a backbone (I checked outside for flying pigs), confronted Tracy that evening.
“We need to talk about Kristen’s college fund,” he said, his voice firm (for the first time in a very looooong time! Way to go, Daddy!)
A senior man frowning | Source: Midjourney
Tracy, still hiding her broken smile behind her hand, tried to deflect. “Bob, honey, now’th not the thime. Can’t you thee I’m in a crithith?”
Dad stood his ground. “Crisis? You? No, Tracy. This ends now. You’re going to pay back every cent you took from Kristen’s fund. And if you can’t… well, I think we need to reevaluate this whole situation.”
For the first time since I’d known her, Tracy looked genuinely scared. It was like watching a deer in the headlights (if the deer had really bad dental work and a speech impediment!)
A serious-looking senior woman sitting on a chair | Source: Pexels
In the weeks that followed, Tracy became a recluse that would make even the most solitary monk seem like a party animal.
The neighborhood buzzed with gossip about her “dental disaster,” and she couldn’t show her face without someone asking about her “million-dollar thmile.”
As for me? Well, Dad made good on his promise. He’s been working overtime to rebuild my college fund, and Tracy’s been suspiciously quiet about her spending habits.
Close-up of a man holding money | Source: Pexels
I guess it’s hard to argue when you sound like you’re trying to whistle through a mouthful of marbles.
The other day, I caught her staring longingly at a magazine ad for dental implants. I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a little payback.
“Hey, Tracy,” I called out, flashing her my perfectly imperfect “alligator-tooth” smile. “Need thome invethment advithe?”
She scowled and stomped off, but I swear I saw Dad trying to hide a smirk.
A young lady standing in a room | Source: Midjourney
So yeah, my stepmom stole $5,000 from my college fund for a set of fake teeth that made her sound like she was auditioning for the role of the Big Bad Wolf with a speech impediment. But in the end? Karma gave her something to really chew on…
And me? I learned that sometimes, the most valuable things in life aren’t the ones you can buy. They’re the lessons you learn along the way, and the satisfaction of watching justice being served, one broken veneer at a time.
A young lady lying in bed | Source: Midjourney
Plus, I now have enough material to write a bestselling memoir: From Fangs to Fortune: How My Stepmom’s Dental Disaster Saved My College Fund.” How is it?
And who knows? Maybe I’ll even dedicate it to Tracy. After all, without her, I wouldn’t have this toothsome tale to tell.
A young lady laughing | Source: Midjourney
My Stepdaughter Accused Me of Being a Golddigger after Getting Us to Pay for Her Wedding
I never thought my stepdaughter would accuse me of being a gold digger, especially after I tried so hard to connect with her. The tension peaked when we discussed her wedding budget, exposing deeper issues in our blended family.
Mother and daughter talking on lakeshore in a park | Source: Pixabay
My name is Emily, and I’m married to John. We’ve been together for four years, and his late wife passed away a year before we met. We dated for two years before tying the knot. John has one daughter, Sophie, who is 28 years old.
A couple looking at each other | Source: Pexels
She doesn’t see me as her stepmom, just as her dad’s wife, which I understand since I didn’t raise her. Despite my efforts to be kind and generous, Sophie remains distant. As a child of divorce myself, I try not to force a relationship and let things develop naturally.
A woman in deep thought | Source: Pexels
Recently, Sophie got engaged, and we were all excited about it. One sunny afternoon, we gathered in our cozy living room, with sunlight streaming through the large bay windows. Sophie asked about our contribution to her wedding budget.
Living room interior with furniture in modern cottage | Source: Pexels
John, sitting next to me on the couch, told her we could give $10,000. Sophie was disappointed as she had bigger plans for her wedding.
Mother and daughter sitting on a couch while looking at each other | Source: Pexels
She kept pressing for more, but John explained he was still rebuilding his savings. Before his late wife died, John had to deplete his savings, cash out his 401k, and even take a small mortgage on his house to cover medical and living expenses.
A man covering his face with his hand | Source: Pixabay
He eventually had to switch to a lower-paying job with more flexible hours. Given these circumstances, $10,000 was a generous offer from him.
A stack of dollar bills | Source: Pixabay
When John went out for an errand, it was just me and Sophie in the room. She turned to me and asked if I would contribute more on top of what John was giving. I told her we discussed it as a couple and decided that $10,000 was a reasonable amount.
A mother and her grownup daughter on talking on the couch | Source: Pexels
Sophie’s face twisted with anger. “Sure, OBVIOUSLY you married an older man for HIS MONEY, not for what you could give,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
A mother talking to her daughter while carrying gardening tools | Source: Pexels
I took a deep breath while almost on the brink of tears, staying calm despite the sting of her words. I told her that the money was from our joint account and that it was what he could afford. Afterward, I dropped a bombshell on her.
A woman sitting talking to her daughter | Source: Pexels
“Yeah, sure, I only need this marriage for money. The thing you HAVE NO IDEA about is that on your wedding day, I was planning to give you money for your down payment as a gift from my own savings,” I explained.
Mom and daughter having an argument | Source: Pexels
She looked taken aback, but I continued. “I’ve also been paying your college debt. Did you know that? All this time, I’ve been helping out because I care about your future.”
Sophie’s eyes widened, and she seemed at a loss for words. “I… I didn’t know that,” she finally said, her voice much softer. “It’s true,” I said. “I make more than your father, and I’ve been covering 70% of our household expenses. I wanted to help because I love him and I care about you too.”
Mom and daughter talking to each other | Source: Pexels
She stood there, embarrassed and silent. The room seemed to hold its breath as she absorbed my words. I decided to still participate in her wedding budget but chose not to give her the additional gift I had planned from my own savings.
A woman looking away | Source: Pexels
In the days that followed, Sophie’s attitude towards me began to change. One evening, as I was preparing dinner in our warm, inviting kitchen, Sophie approached me hesitantly.
Two women in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, adding a comforting backdrop to our conversation. “Emily, I want to apologize for what I said,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. “I didn’t realize everything you’ve done for me and Dad.”
Two women sitting on a couch talking | Source: Pexels
I looked up from the cutting board, meeting her eyes. “Thank you, Sophie. It means a lot to hear you say that.” Over time, Sophie started to warm up to me.
She began to join me for morning coffee in the sunlit nook of our kitchen, where we would chat about her wedding plans and share stories. The hostility that once filled our interactions was slowly replaced with mutual respect and understanding.
Mother and daughter posing together | Source: Pixabay
As Sophie’s wedding day approached, the preparations intensified. The venue was a picturesque vineyard nestled in rolling hills, with rows of grapevines stretching as far as the eye could see.
A vineyard next to a river | Source: Pixabay
On the day of the wedding, the sky was brilliant blue, and the weather was perfect, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of blooming flowers.
Clouds under the blue sky | Source: Pixabay
The ceremony took place in a charming gazebo draped with white roses and ivy. Guests were seated on wooden chairs arranged in neat rows on the lush green lawn.
A garden prepared for a wedding ceremony | Source: Pexels
As the music started, everyone turned to watch Sophie walk down the aisle, radiant in her lace wedding gown. The dress had a vintage charm, with intricate embroidery and a long train that trailed gracefully behind her. She carried a bouquet of white peonies and lavender, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble.
A bride on her wedding day | Source: Pixabay
John stood at the front, looking proud and emotional. When Sophie reached him, he took her hand, and they exchanged a few words that made both of them smile warmly.
The officiant began the ceremony, and as they exchanged vows, there wasn’t a dry eye among the guests. The love and sincerity in their voices were palpable.
The bride and groom head to head on their wedding day | Source: Pexels
After the ceremony, everyone moved to a beautifully decorated tent for the reception. The tables were adorned with elegant centerpieces of fresh flowers and candles, creating a romantic and inviting atmosphere.
Candle holders and white bouquet in a vase | Source: Pexels
The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal prepared by a renowned chef. Sophie and her husband shared their first dance under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights.
The moment was magical, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and joy for her. As the evening progressed, speeches were made, and toasts were given. John stood up to speak, his voice filled with emotion.
Emotional bride with her father during wedding celebration | Source: Pexels
“I am incredibly proud of you, Sophie,” he said. “You have grown into a beautiful, strong woman, and I am grateful to have witnessed this journey. Emily and I are so happy to see you marry the love of your life.”
Sophie looked at me, her eyes brimming with tears. “Emily, I owe you an apology,” she said, her voice shaking. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and Dad. I appreciate it more than words can express.”
A back view of the bride in during her wedding | Source: Pexels
The room fell silent as I stood up, feeling the weight of the moment. “Sophie, it has been my pleasure to support you and your father. I love you both very much, and I am so proud of the woman you have become.”
The rest of the evening was filled with dancing, laughter, and heartfelt conversations. Sophie and I shared several moments together, our bond stronger than ever before.
Guests and newlywed couple celebrating wedding at night | Source: Pexels
The experience taught us both valuable lessons about patience, understanding, and the true meaning of family. Despite the rocky start, we emerged stronger, bound by the trials we had faced together.
By the end of the night, as we watched the newlyweds drive off into the moonlit night, John and I stood together, hand in hand, feeling a profound sense of peace and fulfillment. The journey had been challenging, but standing there, witnessing Sophie’s happiness, made it all worthwhile.
Happy newlywed couple in a car | Source: Pexels
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