Stories

Fred is about to get married to Julia when five other women dressed as brides show up and spoil his plans. Julia loves him, and Fred is very convincing. Even after the can of worms is forcefully opened, Julia can’t help but wonder if he is a changed man.

“Fred, something’s up. You’ve been on edge lately. What’s going on?” Julia inquired, concerned.

“Oh, it-it’s nothing; just work and stress, you know?” he stuttered, avoiding eye contact. But Julia wasn’t convinced.

“I don’t believe you. It’s more than that. You’ve been sneaking out, and you’re always on your phone,” she pressed.

Fred hesitated, then admitted, “Okay, fine. There’s something I haven’t shared. I wanted a small wedding, but it’s becoming a grand affair.”

“Woman? What woman? What did she look like?” he asked anxiously.

“Forget her. I only care about you. I had no clue you wanted a more intimate ceremony.”

“I didn’t say anything because I thought you wanted it to be grand, and I didn’t want to disappoint you. I love you, Julia,” Fred confessed.

Julia softened. “It’s fine. We’ll discuss it with my father and find a middle ground,” she said, pulling away from him.

Fred reassured her, “I’m preparing surprises for the wedding day. I promise it’s nothing bad.”

The couple resolved their issues and focused on the wedding preparations, though Fred continued to express his discomfort with the grandeur of the event in the days that followed.

Finally, the wedding day arrived. The chapel, where the groom and bride would tie the knot, stood majestic with intricately carved wooden doors and enchanting decorations. It was a perfect setting for a love story, adorned with flowers and yellow balloons.

Guests slowly trooped into the venue in colorful outfits, eagerly awaiting the bride and groom’s arrival. Fred arrived early. At the altar, he tried to mask his anxiety with a semblance of happiness. Jacob, his best man, noticed Fred’s restlessness.

“I’m more excited than nervous. I can’t wait for this to start,” Fred replied, his voice tinged with urgency.

As minutes ticked by, Fred’s anxiety grew. Just when he feared Julia might not come, the chapel doors opened, and the string quartet began to play. Julia appeared in her wedding gown, her father by her side.

“In less than an hour, this will be over,” Fred thought, remembering his disagreement with Julia’s father about signing the marriage documents. Bradon wanted the document signing to be done after the ceremony.

As Julia approached the altar and joined Fred, her happiness was evident. I can’t wait to be married to you, she thought excitedly.

Julia smiled shyly. “Do you take this woman to be—” the minister began. As he finished, Fred said, “I do.”

“Do you, Julia, take this man to be your lawfully—”

“Yes-yes, I do,” Julia interrupted excitedly.

“THEN, BEFORE I JOIN THESE TWO IN HOLY MATRIMONY, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO HAS ANYTHING AGAINST THIS UNION? SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE!” the minister proclaimed.

Fred’s anxiety peaked, but Julia’s reassuring gaze calmed him as they awaited the final declaration. When he heard the minister give up and begin to pronounce them husband and wife, he flashed a genuine smile.

Standing in the doorway was a young woman wearing a white wedding dress identical to the bride’s.

“Gotcha!” she loudly yelled, pointing a finger straight at Fred.

Julia’s father, Brandon, was the first to react, his anger palpable.

“Who are you?” Brandon demanded, but the woman ignored him and strode confidently towards the altar.

Julia’s confusion was reflected on her face while Fred struggled to maintain his composure. The guests were abuzz with speculation and whispers, trying to make sense of the bizarre situation.

“Could this be a case of mistaken venue?” one guest pondered aloud.

“Or maybe she’s an ex with a vendetta?” another speculated.

As the murmurs grew, four more women, each donning elaborate wedding gowns, marched into the chapel. Their leader, Lily, commanded attention as she stepped forward to address the congregation.

“We need to address a critical matter before this wedding continues,” Lily announced firmly.

“What on earth is going on here? Who are you people?” Julia shouted the moment she recovered from the shock and found her voice.

Fred, equally perplexed, glared at the women. “This is my wedding! What’s the meaning of this?” he yelled.

Unfazed, Lily signaled the other women to introduce themselves. Margaret stepped forward first.

“I’m Margaret, Fred’s fiancée,” she declared, causing a stir among the guests.

Before the shock could settle, Vivian spoke next, her tone fiery. “I’m Vivian, and I’ve been with Fred for five years. Here’s the ring he gave me!” she declared, holding the ring before the guests.

Julia’s confidence in Fred wavered with each revelation. “It’s all lies, Julia,” Fred whispered repeatedly.

Louise, with a thick French accent, claimed, “I’m Louise. We’re engaged and trying for a child!”

Jae-Hwa, the last to speak, expressed her story in a softer tone. “I’m Jae-Hwa, Fred’s ex. I’m a Korean influencer. He used me for my influence and money!”

Each woman’s claim added to the mounting chaos, casting a shadow over what was meant to be Julia and Fred’s perfect day.

The chapel, previously buzzing with shock and confusion, quieted as the guests tried to process the surreal scene of multiple brides accusing Fred. But before the gathered crowd could fully digest the situation, security officials marched in.

Only Lily knew how it had taken her days of brainstorming to figure out the best way for them to distract the security outside and enter the ceremony. They couldn’t leave before Fred was exposed.

“Get them out of here!” Fred commanded, seeing an opportunity to regain control of his rapidly unraveling wedding.

“Someone must’ve paid them a hefty sum for this act! They’re nothing more than my exes! How can I be in a relationship with five women simultaneously? Isn’t that absurd?” he continued in such a ridiculous manner that made people consider it.

Murmurs of agreement floated among the guests, some beginning to doubt the legitimacy of the women’s claims.

“Perhaps it’s a set-up to ruin the wedding,” speculated a guest, adding to the growing skepticism.

Fred, barely containing his relief, urged Julia to trust him. “Trust me, Julia. Why would I marry you if I didn’t love you?” he implored, hugging her.

Recognizing Margaret as the woman who had approached her earlier, Julia hesitated but remained convinced of Fred’s love. “Look, I understand that Fred was once your ex, but he’s about to be my husband, and nothing you can say will change that!” Julia said in a frustrated tone that showed she wanted the women gone.

“Fred has a lot of money, so I’m sure he’s not with me for my father’s money. He’s marrying me because he loves me, and I love him! If you have proof, show it; if not, I need you to get out!”

At this point, Lily and the women were stuck. Fred had entered their lives when they needed him the most, and none of them had ever assumed there would be a reason to keep evidence of their messages. He’d only been able to date them simultaneously because they were all from different countries. As a travel influencer, Fred traveled a lot.

“Father!” Julia exclaimed in shock, unable to believe her father’s words.

“I’ll let you tell your story, then you can leave,” Brandon firmly told Lily.

“Today’s my wedding day. Are you going to ruin it?” Julia asked bitterly.

“The day is already ruined, and it’s better to postpone this wedding than watch you make a lifelong mistake,” Brandon replied thoughtfully.

“Hurry! Let’s hear the story,” he urged, turning to Lily.

Fred, sweating, tried to appear unfazed, knowing his facade was at risk.

“More than half of his earnings go back to the social media manager. He doesn’t take most pictures, and his trips are more for pleasure than work,” Lily continued. “Julia, I’m sure there are times when you’ve had to give him huge amounts of money and —”

“He paid me back,” Julia interjected, defending Fred.

“Every time? Did he pay back every time?” Lily pressed.

“Julia, don’t listen to her. Just because I’m struggling now doesn’t mean—” Fred started, but Lily cut him off.

“He travels a lot as a travel influencer; you barely spend time together. He’s often unreachable, right?” she asked Lily.

“Internet connections are sometimes unavailable!” Fred said defensively.

“Julia, trust me. He’s just a liar! I’ve spent six years with Fred. When I ran out of money, he left me,” Lily said.

Margaret and Vivian shared their experiences with Fred, exposing his extravagant tastes and manipulative behavior.

“All of you will also be investigated,” he told Lily, Vivian, Louise, Margaret, and Jae-Hwa.

“Father! In front of everyone?” Julia protested.

“We need to clear his name,” Brandon stated, turning to Fred. “I’ll need your phone and password.”

Fred turned pale. Until now, he’d been standing by Julia’s side, holding her hand. But now, he moved away from her like she was some sort of threat to him.

“You’re going to invade my privacy for five women who have no idea what they’re talking about?” His tone was harsh, and Julia’s heart sank at his sudden coldness.

“Julia, am I marrying you or your father? Will you let him control your life?” Fred continued.

“If you love me, Fred, clear these doubts!” she managed to say. “Show me the truth!”

“I refuse to prove anything!” Fred declared coldly. “If you don’t want to marry me, fine.” He undid his tie, throwing it to the ground.

As Fred descended the stairs to leave, Julia called out to him. But he ignored her and walked away. Yes, I used them, but there’s no law against it, he smugly thought as he made his way to the door. The last thing he expected to see was two police officers who appeared in front of him to block his way.

Fred was shocked and instantly turned around to face Brandon.

“I refuse to believe that a man as wicked as you has done nothing wrong. With a little probe here and there, I’m sure they’ll find something,” Brandon told Fred before turning away to look at Julia.

As the cops took Fred away, Julia burst into tears and dashed into her father’s arms.

“You’ll find someone better,” Lily said as she comforted Julia.

“She’ll be fine. I hope she moves on soon,” Jae-Hwa murmured to herself, knowing that it was something she had to do.

If you enjoyed reading this story, you might like this one about a groom whose parents canceled his wedding after spotting a strange birthmark on the bride’s shoulder.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

When Emily overheard intimate whispers in the fitting room next to hers, she thought it was just a couple sneaking a private moment. But when a familiar voice said, “I love you,” she couldn’t ignore it.

The mall was calling my name. It was a perfect time to pick up some winter clothes for the kids and maybe a cozy sweater or two for myself.

When I got to the mall, I ran into my father-in-law, Tom. He was looking through the register of our family store, his calm, usual self.

“Morning, Tom!” I said cheerfully.

“Just the usual. Kids need some jackets, and I thought I’d treat myself, too. Just a quick trip, though. Can’t get too carried away,” I laughed.

He chuckled, nodding knowingly. “Well, let me help you find the good stuff. Can’t have you getting lost in here.”

Tom always seemed to know exactly where to find what I needed. That was part of why I loved shopping here. He and his wife, Janet, made me feel like family.

They were the kind of couple I’d always admired. They’d been together for decades, still holding hands and laughing together. They were a model of marriage, one I could only dream of.

Unlike them, my parents hadn’t made it. My mom left when I was young, leaving Dad and me to fend for ourselves. But since marrying my husband, Matt, and joining his family, I’d found a home with Tom and Janet. I never imagined family could feel so whole.

After finding a few sweaters in my size, I headed to the fitting room. Tom called out, “Give a holler if you need a different size!”

Just as I was trying on the last sweater, I heard…kissing sounds. Faint but unmistakable. I chuckled to myself. “Young people these days,” I murmured, amused. “Can’t even wait till they get home.”

But then I heard a woman’s voice, soft but clear. “I love you!” she whispered.

My heart stopped. That voice was familiar, too familiar.

I froze, the sweater halfway over my head, listening. The words echoed in my mind. No, it couldn’t be. I had to be mistaken.

I slowly pulled the sweater back over my head, took a deep breath, and stepped out of my fitting room. The voices had gone silent, but I felt a magnetic pull to the next stall. I had to know, no matter how crazy it sounded. I stepped closer, my heart pounding louder with each step.

Without thinking, I reached out and knocked lightly on the door.

There was a rustle, a shuffling sound. Then the door opened a crack, and my father’s face appeared.

My father.

In that moment, I felt like I’d been hit by a freight train. I took a step back, my mouth hanging open. My own father was standing in the fitting room with Janet, my mother-in-law. They both looked at me, caught, shame and shock written all over their faces.

“Emily…sweetheart,” my father stammered, looking down, unable to meet my eyes.

I couldn’t breathe. My father and Janet? How long? How…could they?

“Emily, I’m so sorry,” my father finally said, his voice barely a whisper. “I never wanted you to…find out like this.”

My whole body felt numb. I didn’t know what to say, or what to feel. It was like the world had tilted off its axis. Everything I thought I knew, everything I believed about my family, about loyalty, about love…it all felt shattered.

“I…I need to go,” I managed, the words scraping out of my throat. I turned and walked away, not looking back, just moving on autopilot, desperate to escape the surreal nightmare I’d just walked into.

I could feel my heart pounding in my ears as I searched for Tom.

I found him by the checkout counter, going over the inventory list. He looked up as I approached, his usual calm presence starkly contrasted with the chaos inside me.

“Emily, what’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

I could barely keep my voice steady. “Tom…I need to talk to you. Privately.”

“Tom,” I started, my voice breaking, “I…just saw Janet. And my father. Together. In the fitting room.”

Tom’s expression didn’t change. He sighed, nodding slightly. “I know, Emily.”

The words hung in the air, strange and heavy. I blinked, unable to believe what I was hearing.

“You…you know?” my voice barely a whisper. “And you…you’re okay with it?”

He looked at me with surprising calm. “Emily, sit down. I think it’s time we had an honest conversation.”

“Yes, I’ve known,” he said, his voice steady. “Janet told me about it months ago. She and your father — well, they developed a…connection.”

“But…” I stammered, “Tom, you two have been married for decades. I thought… I thought you were happy.”

“We are,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. “Happiness isn’t as simple as it seems, though. Janet and I have an understanding. An agreement, you might say.”

“Yes. Years ago, we decided to open up our marriage,” he explained. “It’s something we both wanted, to give each other freedom while keeping our bond strong. We promised to be honest with each other, even about this.”

I sat there, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. All this time, I admired their marriage and love for each other. I had modeled my life around their example, yet here they were, telling me their relationship was nothing like I’d thought.

My father, who had been standing in the doorway, cleared his throat, his face red. He looked at me, his eyes hard, and said, “Emily, I am very ashamed of you, my daughter.”

I stared at him, completely taken aback. “Ashamed? How can you be ashamed of me?” I choked out, my voice wavering between anger and disbelief. “You raised me alone, taught me what loyalty and family mean. And now…now I find you here, with her?”

He held his gaze, his voice steady. “You shouldn’t have barged in like that. There are things you don’t understand, things I didn’t want you to know. This was never supposed to be your concern.”

He looked down, his expression full of regret. “I didn’t plan for this, Emily. I’ve been lonely for years. When I met Janet, we connected. I didn’t think…I never wanted it to hurt you.”

My heart ached, and I didn’t know if I was more hurt or angry. I had no words, just a hollow feeling inside.

I spent the rest of the day in the city, trying to calm my racing thoughts. When I finally went home in the evening, my mind felt numb. Matt looked up as I walked through the door, immediately sensing something was wrong.

I dropped my bags and sat down, exhausted. “Matt…we need to talk.”

He sat beside me, concerned. “What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath, then let it all out — the fitting room, my father, his mother, and Tom’s calm acceptance of it all.

When I finished, Matt was silent, his face unreadable.

“Did you…know?” I asked hesitantly. “Did you have any idea?”

Matt sighed, looking down. “I had my suspicions,” he admitted. “I never knew for sure, but…Mom and Dad have always been different. I guess I didn’t want to get involved.”

“So…you’re okay with it?” I pressed, trying to understand his calm reaction.

“No, I’m not,” he said quietly. “But they’re adults, Emily. This is their choice. It’s not ours to judge.”

I sat there, staring at him, feeling a mix of relief, confusion, and a lingering sense of betrayal. Everything I thought I knew about love and family seemed to be slipping through my fingers, leaving me in a strange, uncertain place.

I thought I knew what happiness looked like, what loyalty looked like. Now, I wasn’t sure.

How would I ever see my in-laws the same way again? And my father…how could I trust him after this?

As I drifted into a restless sleep, one question echoed in my mind, haunting me.

How would I live with this new 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.

A little girl mocks her needy classmate for failing to bring a gift for the Xmas celebration until her teacher shows her the letter he accidentally left on his desk.

None of the kids could wait to find out what their Santas had planned to get them. But while the entire classroom was filled with a bit of joy, a little shyness, and a LOT of greed in the hope of getting the best gift, Bobby sat in a corner, clutching an envelope in his hands, his eyes filled with tears, feeling bad for himself…

“So kids,” said their teacher, Mrs. Torres. “Are we all ready?”

“Yes, Mrs. Torres!”

A loud unison of squeaky voices filled the class, and Mrs. Torres smiled.

A child’s heart is tender, and love conquers it.

“Me! Me!” All the kids chirped in excitement, but Mrs. Torres’ gaze fell on Bobby, who was sitting quietly amid all the chaos.

“Well,” she said after a pause. “I think Bobby can go first, and then we’ll follow… Bobby, are you ready, sweetheart?”

The entire class turned to look at Bobby, but he didn’t even raise his head.

“Are you OK, child?” Mrs. Torres asked him gently as she approached his desk. “You got one of your classmates’ names for the game, didn’t you?”

“Oh, that’s OK! I’m sure Sally would understand!” said Mrs. Torres encouragingly. “How about you give it to her?”

So Bobby did that. He got up from his desk, walked up to Sally’s, and extended the letter to her.

“I’m sorry, Sally,” he said. “I—I don’t have a gift for you, but I did write you a letter.”

“You wrote, what?” she said rudely. “You couldn’t even get me a gift? It’s Secret Santa, Bobby!”

“I’m sorry…” he said sadly. “I just… I couldn’t buy you one.”

“I got you a letter,” said Bobby. “I made it myself! I drew Santa and reindeer to make it look nice because you love reindeer.”

“Eww!” cried Sally, disgusted. “That’s awful! And it’s so poor! I don’t want it, and I’m not giving you the gift! Look, everyone, Bobby is so poor he couldn’t even buy a gift for me!”

At that point, Mrs. Torres intervened. “Sally, honey, that’s rude!” she said. “It’s OK if you don’t want to accept Bobby’s letter, but you shouldn’t be mean to him. Say sorry to him right now!”

“NO!” cried Sally. “I won’t! He ruined my day! It’s not my problem if he is poor! He can go out and beg on the streets!”

At the end of the day, when everyone left the class, Mrs. Torres chanced upon the letter. It was lying on Bobby’s desk.

“Dear Santa… My wish,” it read on top.

The curious teacher picked up the letter and sighed. “Sally was very rude to him today. He must have felt terrible,” she thought.

And soon, Mrs. Torres was reading the letter. By the time she finished, she couldn’t keep her tears at bay. She dashed out of class to see if Bobby was still there, but she couldn’t find him. She saw Sally, however, and decided to make her read the letter.

“Sally!” she cried. “Would you mind meeting me for a moment, honey?”

“Sally,” said Mrs. Torres, approaching her. “You should read what Bobby wrote for you. I think you’ll change your mind, honey.”

Sally didn’t want to do that, but Mrs. Torres somehow convinced her. When the little girl did read the letter, she started crying.

The letter said:

“I am sorry, Sally. I am the worst Santa ever! You are a nice girl, and you are my classmate, and I feel very bad that I cannot get you a gift. Sally, my mommy is very, very sick. She has a bad heart, and she cannot walk. She has Grampa’s old wheelchair, and she uses that to walk.

I had saved money for your gift in my piggy bank, but I could not spend it. I need to give that money to Mommy! She will be fine and happy then. When she is OK, I will ask her to get you a reindeer toy. You love reindeer. I know. I drew one for you at the back.

I wish you and your mommy always stay happy. I hope you never see your mommy sad. I hope she loves you. That’s my wish to Santa for you! I hope the real Santa who loves all children makes all your dreams come true.

— Bobby.”

“His mommy is sick, Mrs. Torres?” asked Sally sadly as she finished reading. “I miss my mommy! She went to the angel when I was a baby!”

“She is, honey,” said Mrs. Torres. “She is!”

“We need to help Bobby, Mrs. Torres,” said Sally. “I was such a bad girl… I was so bad, Mrs. Torres…” and Sally started crying.

Mrs. Torres hugged her. “Oh no, you’re not!” she exclaimed, stroking Sally’s soft hair. “You have a beautiful heart, honey. You understand your friend’s situation and want to help him. Here’s an idea: How about you apologize to him when he comes to school tomorrow? He’ll appreciate it.”

And Sally did that. The next day, when Bobby came to class, she went to his desk and said, “I found your letter after you left the class, and I am sorry, Bobby. I don’t have a mommy, and I miss her so much, and I just felt so bad…”

Bobby gave her a smile, a big one. “It’s OK! Did you like the reindeer?” he asked.

She laughed. “It was ugly!” she giggled. “But I loved it! Thank you!”

So Bobby and Sally became friends, but that’s not where it all ended.

Linda was taken aback. “We can’t accept all this… oh no, that would be wrong. You don’t have to do this, sir.”

“My wife is right,” said Derek. “We appreciate your concern, but we can’t take this. It would be wrong.”

“Please,” Michael insisted. “I know the pain of seeing a loved one suffer… my wife passed away shortly after Sally was born. Please, do this for our sake. We’d really appreciate it. Also, it’s Christmas time, and let’s consider this as something Santa would want us to do?”

Sally no longer felt like she didn’t have a mother. She had found a best friend in Bobby and a loving mother in “Linda mommy.”

What can we learn from the story?

• A child’s heart is tender, and love conquers it. Sally felt bad about herself after discovering the real reason Bobby couldn’t get her a Secret Santa gift. She missed her mother and her love. She realized Bobby felt bad seeing his mother in trouble, so she apologized and decided to help him.
• You shouldn’t judge people until you know their side of the story. Sally felt terrible for being mean to Bobby without knowing why he couldn’t get her a gift, and she apologized.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a set of mean children who mocked a boy for the Halloween costume until the school principal decided to show off his artistic skills.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

A family I hosted seemed so grateful to stay in our home while we were away for Christmas. But when we got back, something felt… wrong. The gift they left us was meant as an apology, but the eerie masks and cryptic note inside told a different story.

Every year, my mom decked the halls with enough decorations to make even Santa jealous, and Dad would prepare his famous eggnog, insisting it was the “world’s best.” It was a time for traditions, laughter, and relaxing by the fireplace with family.

But this year, something unexpected happened. A week before Christmas, I got a call from a friend. A fire had destroyed the home of a family in our community.

The idea of them spending Christmas in a hotel or, worse, separated and staying in different places, weighed on me. I felt a tugging in my chest that I couldn’t ignore. Without thinking too much, I offered them a place to stay at our home.

When I told Arthur and Ella about it, they had questions, naturally. “Mom, will they bring their own decorations?” Ella asked, frowning a little. “Do they even have clothes left?” Arthur added, his eyes wide.

“They lost a lot in the fire,” I explained, “but we’re going to make sure they have a really special Christmas here. And yes, they’ll stay in our house, but we’ll be with Grandma and Grandpa.”

My heart swelled with pride. I nodded. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

By the time we left, the house was decorated to the nines. I made sure to place wrapped gifts under the tree, marked with each of their names.

There were fresh blankets on the beds and holiday treats left out on the kitchen counter. We left a note, too, just a small welcome, letting them know to make themselves comfortable.

When we got home after a week of festive chaos at my parents’, the house felt… wrong. It was too quiet. Too still.

“Why’s it so clean, Mom?” Arthur whispered, clutching his sister’s hand.

I forced a smile. “Maybe they’re just very tidy people.”

The kids shuffled awkwardly by the entryway as I made my way to the living room, heart thumping in my chest.

That’s when I saw it—a large, cubic red box sitting right under the Christmas tree. It was wrapped meticulously in glossy paper and tied with an elaborate gold ribbon. My heart stuttered.

I knelt and reached out, hesitating. My fingers brushed the ribbon, untying it with a light pull. The wrapping paper crinkled in my hands as I peeled it away. Lifting the lid, My heart skipped a beat; for a moment, I was TRULY TERRIFIED. “OH, GOD!” I screamed.

Inside were several masks. Not the cheap, plastic kind, but terrifyingly realistic ones—a zombie with decaying flesh, a grotesque gorilla, and a dragon with eyes so cold they seemed alive. They lay piled inside, hollow eyes staring up at me, unblinking.

“We are truly sorry for what happened. Our kids found your Halloween costumes in the attic and thought it would be fun to play with them. They didn’t realize how much they meant to you, and by the time we found out, it was too late…”

I looked up, scanning the room as though I’d find more clues to piece this all together. Our attic door was tucked away at the end of the hallway, barely noticeable. How had they even ended up there?

“…We didn’t want your children to feel bad about it, so we ordered replacements online. We know it doesn’t make up for it, but please accept this small gesture.”

My gaze drifted back to the masks—so hideously detailed, almost mocking the costumes we’d lost. Arthur’s adorable dragon, Ella’s goofy gorilla. Years of memories were now replaced by something that looked like it belonged in a horror movie.

I tried to convince myself it was the thought that counted, that this family was just trying to make things right. But my stomach twisted with resentment. They’d gone through our things without a word, let their kids rummage through the attic like it was theirs to explore.

“We received an insurance payout and found a new place to live. We are very grateful. Here’s a small token of thanks.”

A $100 bookstore gift card was taped to the bottom of the page, a polite offering, as though that made it all better.

I took a shaky breath, letting the frustration settle. I knew this wasn’t done out of malice, just… carelessness. It was an accident.

I climbed the stairs, the note still lingering in my mind, trying to let it go. But as I got closer to the kids’ room, I heard them laughing and chattering excitedly. My steps slowed as I listened in, a smile forming despite myself.

“Mom, look!” Arthur grinned, holding up a mask with a bit of green, gory detail. “Isn’t this zombie mask way better than the old one?”

Ella was right beside him, clutching a gorilla mask that looked as frightening as it was realistic. “And we’ve got new costumes! Look, Arthur’s a zombie, and I’m a gorilla! We could be a whole spooky zoo!”

Ella shook her head, her face lighting up with a mischievous grin. “Nope! They’re awesome. We can freak people out for Halloween next year. And they’re even more realistic than the old ones, so… bonus?”

Arthur nodded eagerly, holding up the dragon mask. “Yeah, Mom! And they’re all different. We’ll have so many to choose from now. It’s like we got an upgrade!”

I chuckled, amazed at how quickly they’d turned this strange gesture into something positive. “Well, I’m glad you’re both so excited. I wasn’t sure if you’d be upset about the old costumes.”

Ella tugged on my arm, bouncing a little. “Can we, Mom? Please?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Alright, alright. We’ll play a round before bed. But only one.”

They both cheered, grabbing their masks and dashing down the hallway. Their laughter echoed through the house as they shouted, “Zombie Arthur’s coming to get you!” and “Run from Gorilla Ella!”

And as I watched them disappear around the corner, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. They had taken a moment that felt strange, unsettling, and even hurtful and turned it into a memory of laughter.

Maybe they had the right idea; maybe Christmas wasn’t about everything going perfectly. It was about rolling with what life threw your way, about finding joy even in the oddest places.

Arthur’s voice suddenly rang out from down the hall, interrupting my thoughts. “Mom! You’d better hide! The zombie’s coming!”

Smiling, I called back, “Oh no, I’ll never escape!”

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.

Wendy hoped her son, John, would care for her in her sunset years. But John left her alone on the street. He did not expect his mother to appear at his doorstep a year later, standing on her feet.

Wendy remembered the call with her son, John, the first time her legs went numb. She remembered the state of panic she was in when she called him for help. She remembered getting breathless, fearing she was going to die. But her son did not have time to help her despite living a few blocks away.

He didn’t remember to call the neighbors to check in on her or visit her that night. And he even failed to sell the house, or any house, for that entire year.

Eventually, the frequency of her legs going numb increased, until one day, when she had a fall and couldn’t get up. She cried for help, and luckily, the neighbors showed up. They informed John, who rushed in and took Wendy to the hospital.

Wendy was diagnosed with a rare nerve compression syndrome that caused numbness in her lower limbs. Her situation got complicated for over a year as she and John ignored her symptoms. And the injuries she sustained while falling made things worse.

Wendy was now in a wheelchair.

“I think you should give up, mom. How many times am I supposed to miss my meetings? You know I need to focus on selling houses, right?” Wendy would wipe her tears while listening to her son’s insensitive comments during their car rides.

‘But he’s my son. At least he’s there for me,’ Wendy would console herself.

Karma will always hit you back.

After the physiotherapy and medication did not improve Wendy’s condition, the doctors suggested she get an expensive surgery. Wendy had spent all her savings on her treatment. She asked John for help, but he refused.

“Do you know how much rent I pay for my house? I can’t afford it, but as a realtor, I need to have a lifestyle. Who would buy a house from someone who lives in a small house?” John explained to Wendy.

He reached Wendy’s room and saw her sitting on her bed, crying while a group of doctors spoke to her. The primary doctor noticed John and came out of the room and said, “Are you Mr. John Matthews, her son?” John nodded.

“Where have you been? We waited for someone next of kin, but since no one arrived, we decided to deliver the news to Wendy directly.”

“What news?”

“Mr. Matthews, your mother’s surgery did not give the expected results. We still haven’t noticed any significant movement in her legs. And we can’t be sure when we will see a change. We’ll have to wait and watch for now. Wendy has already signed the discharge formalities and is free to go.”

“I didn’t want to trouble you for any money, son, so I made the decision myself.”

“What decision, mom?”

“I sold the house.”

John stopped in his tracks, stunned.

“Remember Joanne? My friend from the old book club who moved to another city? She introduced me to her nephew, who wanted to buy a house in our area. Actually, they called and said they were coming here to visit me—”

“Are you kidding, mom? You sold the house? And for what, a failed surgery? You’re so selfish! You didn’t even think of me! It’s my house too, right? I was waiting on that house after—”

Wendy was wiping her tears when John got a call from a prospective customer. He walked away to answer it. After his call, he told Wendy he had an urgent meeting with his customer.

“Go, son. As I said, Joanne was coming to visit me. I’ll ask her to drop me at the nursing home, and I have already spoken to them about moving there.”

“You see, that’s what I’m talking about. I had no idea what you do—”

John was interrupted by another call. He shook his head with disgust at his mother and just took off. Wendy was quietly sobbing on the street near the parking lot, feeling alone and hurt.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” John asked, confused to see a stranger park outside his house.

When the woman turned around, John had the shock of his life. It was Wendy, and she was able to walk on her feet.

“Mom, oh my God! How are you?”

“Much better, son. I love every moment.” Wendy’s positive response took John aback, and he invited her to the house and offered her a glass of water.

John did not know how to interact with her. Wendy broke the ice and said, “Don’t look so gloomy, son. Look, I’m fine now. Remember when you left me all alone on the street after I was out after a failed surgery?” John turned pale as he recounted his behavior.

“He cared for me like a son and even found better doctors in another city. I was afraid of another surgery, but Evan was there by my side throughout. And miraculously, the surgery worked. Evan also paid for my knee replacement surgery. Not only can I walk, but I can also run like I used to when I was young.”

John was speechless. Although he was embarrassed, he did not like how Wendy praised a stranger. He snarled, “I get it. I was a horrible son. But if this Evan is so great, why are you even here?”

John heard another car pull up outside his house. A young man walked into his house.

“Well, but I can enter MY house, can’t I?” Evan’s words confused John.

As it turned out, Evan owned the house Jonathan was living in. John was unaware since he only dealt with the agency that mediated all the transactions. Furthermore, John had skipped six months’ rent and evaded calls from the agency.

The agency notified Evan after John skipped rent for a couple of months. But Evan knew that John was struggling based on what he heard from Wendy, so he decided to go easy on John and asked the agency to back off, too.

But when Wendy learned about John’s antics, she realized that she couldn’t give him any more rope. She urged Evan to punish John for not paying the rent.

“Oh, I almost forgot, son!” Wendy reached into her bag. “Here is the eviction notice. You have 15 days.” Wendy handed John the documents and left with Evan.

What can we learn from this story?

• Take care of your parents. Our parents sacrificed a lot to raise us; the least we can do for them in their old age is care for them. Wendy cared a lot for John even if he disrespected and hurt her. John never cared for Wendy when she needed him but still expected her house as an inheritance.
• Karma will always hit you back. John always treated Wendy with disdain and disrespect. His bad karma finally hit back when his mother decided to help evict him from his house.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who finds his ex-father-in-law wandering the streets. Their interaction revealed some shocking truths from his past.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

Victoria’s children were too busy to call her most of the time, except for Christmas. But this year, her son discovered she was a cleaner at a store and stopped communicating with her altogether. Victoria thought she would have to spend the holidays alone until she heard a surprising knock on her door.

She was surprised by his reaction. Matthew had always been a mama’s boy. But things always change as children get older, Victoria thought. She resolved to talk to him later and continued her job.

When her husband died ten years ago, her children, Matthew and Marina, suggested selling their big house and getting her a tiny apartment, which would be easier to maintain. They wanted to use the rest of the money to start their respective businesses.

So, at 65 years old, she started working as a cleaner at a furniture store at the mall. The work was not that hard, and she was still young enough to do it. With her job, she had enough money to pay her bills and had even bought all kinds of presents for everyone. However, she had not told her kids about it, afraid of how they might react.

It seemed like keeping quiet was the best option, especially after seeing how Matthew seemed embarrassed seeing her. Still, she called him to explain everything.

“I’m sorry, mother. I’m busy right now. Can I call you later?” Matthew said that night when Victoria called to explain. She worried and bit her bottom lip with her teeth.

“But, honey. About today—” she replied.

“Bye, mother,” her son said more forcefully, and the line went dead.

“Mom, I’m busy. I’ll call you later,” Marina said as soon as she picked up Victoria’s call. The older woman couldn’t even get a word in.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll see them at Christmas and explain everything,” she said to herself and continued with her night.

Unfortunately, none of them had called her to settle things for the holiday. They always celebrated at one of their houses, but Victoria had no idea which of her kids was hosting the celebration this year. They hadn’t called back as they promised either, and she was starting to worry.

Two days before Christmas, she sat down with her neighbor, Lorena Atkinson, and unloaded all her worries. “I’m sure they’ll call soon enough, Vickie,” her friend said after hearing the entire story. The two sat in Victoria’s living room, eating cookies and sipping coffee.

“I don’t know. They’ve never acted this way. They are not answering my calls anymore. I don’t understand why. I’m not doing anything wrong. What if they don’t invite me for Christmas? What will I do?” Victoria asked, holding her cup a little tighter as the anxious thoughts took hold.

Lorena, who was around the same age as Victoria, lived in the penthouse of Victoria’s apartment building. Her whole family gathered in her home because it had so much room, so Christmas at her house would be fun.

But Victoria wanted to spend the holidays with her family. This situation was so hard. Why are they acting this way? Why are they icing me out? she worried, despite Lorena’s kind words.

The two women finished their coffee, and Lorena left, promising that everything would be alright and giving her friend a warm hug. Sadly, Christmas morning came, and there was still no call from Marina or Matthew. Victoria cried that entire morning. She looked at the presents under her tree and grew sad as she went to cook her breakfast.

“Surprise!” her kids and grandkids yelled at the door. Victoria clutched her chest, startled, but smiled immediately. “What? What are you doing here?”

“We’re here to see you, Grandma! This year, we’re spending the whole Christmas day here!” Marina’s daughter, Elizabeth, yelled in excitement, walking in with a huge gift box. She was ten years old and the oldest of her grandchildren. The other four ranged between nine to five years old, and they all rushed into the apartment, going directly for the presents under her tree.

“Everyone, calm down. Let’s get settled first, and Grandma will give you your gifts,” Marina called to all the children and then focused on her mother. “Mom, hey. Sorry, we didn’t call earlier. But this was sort of unplanned.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Come in. Come in!” Victoria replied, using her hands to urge the adults inside. Marina’s husband entered behind her, and then Matthew’s wife came in, giving her a big hug.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I… I don’t know what came over me when I saw you at that store,” he said, not letting go of his mother.

Victoria was all too happy to keep holding her son. “Were you ashamed of me?” “At first, I thought it was that. I couldn’t believe my mother was a cleaning lady. But then, after I received that call from your neighbor, I realized that I was more embarrassed with myself,” Matthew answered.

“What? My neighbor?” Victoria asked, pulling a bit away to look into her son’s eyes. “Yes, Mrs. Atkinson. She said she lives in this building. We met when you moved, and I gave her my contact information in case of emergencies,” Matthew replied.

“Anyway, she called and chewed me out for not inviting you to Christmas and for not answering your calls. Then she said I should be ashamed of myself for having a successful business and making you work hard just to live. That’s when it clicked.” “What clicked?” Victoria asked.

Just then, Victoria felt a hand on her back. It was Marina. “I thought I was angry at you too. For not telling us you needed money. For not telling us you were cleaning a store. But I was mad at myself. You shouldn’t have to work when the money you gave us is more than enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life. I can’t believe we never thought about paying you back before.”

“You don’t have to. It’s ok,” Victoria began, but Marina interrupted her gently. “We have to pay you back, especially after that chewing out from Mrs. Atkinson. She called me too. She said you worked so hard so our kids could have presents from their grandmother, and so we wouldn’t have to worry about you,” Marina continued.

They spent the best Christmas as a family. It was one Victoria would never forget. Marina and Matthew eventually paid their mother back, and they started depositing more money in her account just in case.

But Victoria didn’t quit her job. She liked it. Chatting with her coworkers was fun. She officially retired at 70 years old with a pretty decent amount of money in the bank.

And her children never forgot to invite her and always answered her calls.

What can we learn from this story?

• Honest work is nothing to be ashamed of. No one should be embarrassed by their job. Working hard to earn a living is all that matters.
• Don’t forget the sacrifices your parents made for you. Marina and Matthew forgot about the money their mother gave them to start their companies. But they remembered after being scolded and made amends.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

An 80-year-old woman unexpectedly found her late mother’s treasured pendant in an antique store. She decided to buy it but was interrupted by a stranger offering to pay double its price. She burst into tears after recognizing who it was.

One day, she went shopping, assuming it would be just an ordinary day at the flea market.

“I hope I find a nice shelf to go under Paul’s photo. The old one is broken,” she mumbled.

Paul was her late husband, who had died just a year after their wedding in 1963. Since then, Samantha refused to move on and chose to live with his memories, and his photo was one among her treasured items…

“Hello there, how can I help you, Mrs. Drake?” the vendor in the furniture store asked.

“Alright! Why don’t you sit down while I bring a few pieces?”

“Why would you want to buy my mom’s pendant?” Samantha asked the stranger who offered to pay double the price for it.

Samantha sat in the store, looking around. Moments later, the antique shop across the road opposite the furniture store drew her attention.

“I’ll be back in a bit. I’ll just go check out the store across for a candle stand,” she said.

“Alright, Mrs. Drake. I’ll be ready with the shelves by then.”

Shortly after Samantha entered the antique shop, she was startled by what she saw there.

“Hey, Mrs. Drake! Did you mean this one?” The seller brought down the beautiful chain with the pendant from the display.

“Yes, please…can I see it?”

“Sure, here you go… That’s $40, but I’ll give it to you for $5 less...” The vendor smiled.

Samantha flipped the pendant several times and could no longer hold back her tears.

“I found it…This belonged to my mother!” she exclaimed, tears endlessly streaming down her face. “From where did you get it?”

“I don’t know, but my dad told me that someone sold it to him several years ago… It had not gone on display because my dad kept it at home. After he died last year, I cleared the attic and found it there. So I put it up here for sale.”

Samantha could not believe her eyes. “I’m getting it!” she said, and just as she dug her bag for the money, she heard someone enter, followed by a loud voice:

“I’ll pay double its price…Please give it to me…I want it at any cost!”

Samantha was startled. She turned around, only to gasp in astonishment after seeing a woman who looked like her.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe this! Am I looking at myself in the mirror?” panted the other woman.

“Oh, dear! What’s happening? And how come you look exactly like me?” shrieked Samantha.

The two women stared at each other for quite some time, unable to fathom their uncanny resemblance.

“Wha—What’s your name? I’m Samantha…And you?”

“I’m Doris!”

“And why would you want to buy my mom’s pendant?”

“Yes, this is my mom Dorothy’s pendant… We became very poor after my dad left my mom, so she sold everything we had to make ends meet, and this pendant was among the heirlooms she sold. She sold it to a man, but I don’t know how it reached here.”

“So that makes you my sister?!” Doris shrieked, hugging a confused Samantha, who could not understand what was happening.

“Sister??? What do you mean?” she exclaimed, pushing Doris back for an explanation.

“Let me show you,” replied Doris, who took out an old, torn photo of Dorothy wearing the pendant with a little girl on her lap.

“No, that’s not you…THAT’S ME! We’re twins!” replied Doris, stunning Samantha.

“What? How could that be? Oh my God…I never knew I had a sister!” cried Samantha.

As it turned out, Doris was indeed Samantha’s twin. Their parents, Dorothy and Michael, went through a rough patch in their marriage and divorced when Samantha and Doris were just a year old. They parted ways, each taking one child to raise independently.

Samantha was raised by Dorothy, while Doris was taken by her dad. They were separated right from childhood and never got a chance to see each other again.

“….And when my granny died 40 years ago, she revealed the secret when I asked her about the other half of this torn photo,” cried Doris.

“I came here to buy a candle stand, and right now, I am baffled!” Samantha cried like a kid in Doris’s arms. “You can have the pendant! I had seen mom wear it, but you never got a chance to even be with her. It should belong to you now!”

Doris was touched and moved to tears. Samantha bought the pendant and placed it around Doris’s neck.

“You remind me of our mother! I’m glad to meet you. Let’s go home!” she said as an excited antique store owner saw the silhouette of Samantha and Doris exit his store, holding each other!

• You may never know about the history an old piece of artifact might have. When Samantha saw the pendant in the antique store, she immediately recognized it as her late mother’s. She would soon learn that the pendant would reunite her with the twin sister she never knew.
• Sometimes, children suffer fateful consequences from the decisions their parents make. After their divorce, Michael and Dorothy separated their twin daughters, each taking one. The sisters never knew about each other for several decades until they accidentally met at the antique store and recognized each other.

A rude man who thought money could buy anything tore down a poor old man’s house and was startled after finding his childhood photo among the ruins. Click here to read the full story.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.