
Madeleine’s birthday takes an unexpected turn when her sister’s diet obsession turns the celebration upside down. Determined not to ruin her special day, Madeleine plans a bold move and gives Fiona a taste of her own medicine. Will Madeleine’s daring response save the day or create even more chaos?
“Fiona, can you come over to help with the birthday party?” I asked, sitting comfortably on my plush sofa, my phone pressed to my ear.
“Sure, Madeleine,” Fiona replied cheerfully. “What do you need me to do?”
“Decorations and food,” I said, relief washing over me. “I could really use an extra pair of hands!”
“No problem,” she said. “I’ll take care of it.”
I smiled, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “Thanks, Fiona! What would I do without you? I’ll send you some money for the decorations, drinks, and a simple BBQ.”
“Got it. I’ll make sure everything looks perfect,” Fiona assured me.
After hanging up, I quickly transferred the money to her account.
I trusted Fiona with the decorations; she had an eye for detail and always made everything look beautiful. I texted her the list of things we needed and told her I’d leave the keys under the doormat.
“Hey, sweetheart, are we all set for the party?” my fiancé, Albert, asked as I sent my last text to Fiona.
“Almost,” I said, standing up and giving him a reassuring smile. “Fiona’s handling the decorations and food. We just need to pick up some cups and plates from the supermarket.”
“Didn’t we already have enough?” he asked, a little puzzled.
“I thought so, too,” I admitted, shaking my head. “But it turns out we’re short. I don’t want to risk running out during the party.”
“Good call,” Albert said, grabbing the car keys. “Let’s go then. Better to get this done early.”
As we drove to the supermarket, I felt both excited and nervous. Hosting a party always brought these feelings, but having Fiona and Albert helping made everything easier.
I thought about the backyard and how I wanted it to look festive and welcoming. Fiona’s decorations would be perfect, and the BBQ would keep everyone happy and full.
“Are you okay?” Albert asked, glancing at me as he drove.
“Yeah,” I replied, smiling. “Just thinking about how everything will turn out.”
“It’ll be great, Madeleine,” he said, squeezing my hand. “We’ve got this.”
We arrived at the supermarket and quickly gathered the cups and plates we needed. As we loaded them into the car, I felt a sense of accomplishment.
Everything was coming together.
“And we’re back!” I called out as Albert and I walked into the backyard, carrying the cups and plates. But my smile quickly turned to shock as I took in the scene before me.
The table was filled with an array of vegetables, rice cakes, and several containers of 0% yogurt, which was essentially yogurt with no fat or sugar.
And instead of a proper cake, there was half a watermelon with candles stuck into it.
My heart sank. This wasn’t what I had in mind at all.
I turned to Albert, whose eyes widened in disbelief. “What’s going on here?” he asked, clearly puzzled.
“I don’t know,” I said, confused.
I spotted Fiona arranging the table and quickly walked over to her, pulling her aside. “Fiona, what happened to the BBQ??” I asked, trying to keep my frustration in check.
“Well, it wasn’t a good idea considering your size, so I chose better options!” she said matter-of-factly.
I was shocked.
I come from a “bigger” family and have learned to love myself as I am. However, Fiona has always struggled with her self-image, trying hundreds of diets but never sticking to any of them.
I felt my cheeks flush with anger, knowing she’d done it because of her diet obsession! But I swallowed my anger as causing a scene wouldn’t help anything. The guests were starting to arrive, and I didn’t want to ruin the evening for everyone.
“So yeah, what was I saying? Yep, I just thought healthier options would be better for you, Madeliene,” she said, looking at me as if she had done me a favor.
“Fiona, this is a party! People expect to have fun and enjoy good food!” I almost snapped.
“I just thought this would be better,” she shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Taking a deep breath, I decided I had to fix this. I walked over to Albert, who was also puzzled by the spread.
“Albert, we need to order some normal food. The guests will be here any minute,” I said.
“Alright, I’ll call the pizza place and get some burgers delivered, too. We can’t let this ruin the evening.”
“Thank you,” I said, grateful for his quick thinking.
As Albert made the calls, I tried to mingle with the arriving guests, keeping a smile on my face despite my frustration. Everyone was polite, but I could see the confusion in their eyes as they looked at the food.
“What’s going on with the food?” one of our friends asked.
“Just a little mix-up,” I said with a forced laugh. “We’ve got some more food coming soon.”
Soon, Albert came back, giving me a reassuring nod. “Food’s on its way. Should be here in about thirty minutes,” he whispered to me.
“Perfect,” I sighed. “Thank you, Albert.”
“Don’t worry, Madeleine,” he said, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “We’ll turn this around.”
With Albert’s reassuring nod, I felt a bit more at ease, knowing that more food was on its way. But I was starting to place the order for the BBQ when Fiona snapped.
“SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A TERRIBLE SISTER AND TRYING TO HELP YOU LOSE ALL THIS FAT!” she screamed, her voice echoing across the backyard. “KEEP STUFFING YOURSELF WITH BBQ, BUT DON’T EXPECT ME TO CHEER YOU UP WHEN YOUR FIANCÉ KICKS YOU OUT!”
The sudden outburst left everyone stunned. The guests looked around awkwardly, not sure what to do or say. I felt my face flush with embarrassment and anger!
“Fiona, will you please stop it?!” I said, pulling her aside again.
She glared at me, her eyes filled with frustration. “I was only trying to help you, Madeleine. You never listen!”
“Look, this is not the time or place for this,” I said, my hands shaking slightly. “We have guests here. Can we please talk about this later?”
“Everyone, let’s enjoy the evening. The food will be here soon, and we can all have a good time,” Albert announced, facing the guests. I could only feel grateful he was there to handle the situation with me.
Fiona crossed her arms, fuming, but she didn’t say anything further. I could see the guests shifting uncomfortably. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.
“I’m sorry, everyone,” I said, addressing the crowd. “There was a bit of a misunderstanding, but it’s all sorted now. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
With that, I turned and hurried inside to write a note for the delivery guy. “Please make sure to hand the order directly to me (Madeleine), not my sister,” I scribbled quickly, sticking the note on the front door.
The minutes dragged on as I anxiously awaited the arrival of the food. I kept glancing at the clock, hoping it would get there soon so we could move past the awkwardness. Finally, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door to greet the delivery guy, who handed me the bags filled with BBQ and other goodies.
“Thank you so much,” I said, taking the food from him.
“No problem,” he replied with a friendly smile.
Carrying the food back to the backyard, I took a deep breath. I was determined to salvage the evening, no matter what. But I was also going to teach Fiona a lesson about respecting boundaries and understanding what it means to truly help someone.
“Alright, everyone,” I announced, placing the BBQ and sides on the table. “The food is here! Let’s dig in and enjoy the evening!”
I began handing each guest a plate piled high with BBQ meat, salads, and sides. As I served, I made sure to keep my composure, smiling and chatting with everyone.
When I reached Fiona, I couldn’t help but feel a little mischievous. I stacked all the rice cakes and vegetables on a plate for her, making sure it was an impressive tower of the healthiest options available!
“Fiona,” I called out, drawing everyone’s attention. “I’ve got a special plate just for you!”
She looked up, surprised by the attention. As I handed her the plate, I couldn’t resist adding a little jab. “Here you go, Fiona. Make sure to stick with the healthy stuff. I wouldn’t want you to become unlovable by eating something unhealthy!”
Fiona’s face turned bright red. She stared at the plate, then looked at me with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “Thanks,” she mumbled, barely able to meet my eyes.
“Everyone, enjoy!” I said cheerfully as I moved on to serve the next guest.
I also kept an eye on Fiona. She stood off to the side, barely touching her plate. I could see the discomfort and humiliation on her face. Eventually, she put the plate down and made her way towards the exit.
“I’m leaving,” she said quietly as she passed by me, avoiding eye contact.
“Okay,” I replied, shrugging.
I watched her walk away, feeling a sense of relief.
The BBQ was a hit, and people came up to me, complimenting the food and the decorations. It was exactly the kind of evening I had hoped for despite the rocky start. Most importantly, my “sweet” sister received a taste of her own medicine.
What would you have done?
Neighbors’ Teenagers Damaged Old Woman’s Property, but Her Revenge Is Something They’ll Never Forget — Story of the Day

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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“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.”

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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
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