My Dad Replaced My Mom with My Best Friend – I Made Him Taste His Own Medicine
When Hannah’s Dad waltzed into her birthday party with her best friend on his arm, she was determined to make him pay. Little did he know Hannah’s plan would unexpectedly turn the tables at her graduation party.
Serious woman and birthday cake | Source: Midjourney
“Happy birthday, kiddo,” Dad said, but his words barely registered.
The room was full of balloons and banners, but everything started feeling suddenly wrong.
“What’s the fuss?” he asked, noticing people staring.
I couldn’t believe it was happening. Dad had walked into my 25th birthday party with my best friend, Jessica, as his plus one.
Older man with young woman | Source: Midjourney
“What is Jess doing with you?” I asked as soon as I recovered from the shock.
“What do you mean?” he chuckled. “We’re together, in love!”
“Are you serious? Mom is here, and everyone is watching us!”
He shrugged. “So what? I don’t care what she or anyone else feels; it’s her problem. This is MY LIFE. I want to have fun.”
Couple looking into each other’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
I glanced at Mom, standing alone with tears streaming down her face. She just turned and went inside, and I couldn’t stand that.
“If I knew you would do something like this, I would’ve never invited you!” I snapped, turning to Dad. “And you, Jess, how could you do this? You were my best friend!”
“I’m sorry, Hannah. But it sounds like a YOU problem if you can’t accept this.”
I was shocked.
“Leave!” I said. “Just get out! Both of you!”
Smug-looking woman | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, Hannah, you’re overreacting,” Dad scoffed. “It’s not like your Mom and I are together, and I brought someone new into our lives.”
“No, I’m not overreacting, Dad, and I don’t want to talk about this. You need to leave. This party is for me and Mom. And this is Mom’s house.”
“Fine, we’ll go.”
I watched as Dad walked out, and then I returned to Mom and hugged her tightly. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know they’d—”
“It’s okay, sweetie. Thank you,” was all she said.
Sad woman among party guests | Source: Midjourney
It was hard for me to believe what had happened, but all I cared about was the faces of the other guests staring at my mom in pity and disbelief. I hated the way they were looking at Mom as if she were some helpless woman.
A week passed.
One Sunday morning, Mom and I sat on the couch in her cozy living room, sipping tea.
Two cups of tea | Source: Midjourney
I loved our little sessions where it was just the two of us. Usually, we’d bake one of Grandma’s recipes, but looking at Mom’s face, I knew she was still not over what had happened.
Dad and Mom had divorced only recently, and I know Mom still missed him. So, what happened on my birthday still bothered her.
“I’m really looking forward to graduation next month, Mom,” I said, trying to lift the mood. “It’s a big milestone for me.”
Woman wearing graduation hat | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I’m so proud of you, Hannah,” Mom smiled, her eyes shining with pride. “You’ve worked so hard for this day.
“It’s just that… seeing Jessica with your father was hard,” she suddenly said, sighing sadly. “She’ll be graduating too, right?”
I reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
“Yes, Mom. It was terrible. But you’re stronger than this. You deserve better.”
Sad elderly woman | Source: Midjourney
Mom looked at me, tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s just so hard, Hannah. I never expected this from Jessica. She-she was like a daughter, and now this…imagining them in bed…”
Mom broke down into tears, and I raced to her side to hug her.
“Your dad…” she sniffled. “What did he tell me when he was leaving? You’re too old, Caroline. You don’t excite me anymore. Oh, Hannah, how could he do this?”
Young woman consoling an older woman | Source: Midjourney
Mom wept into my shoulders, and I can’t tell you how it broke my heart.
“I didn’t either, Mom,” I said, trying my best to console her. “But we won’t let them hurt us anymore. You’re not alone in this. We’ll get through it together, okay?”
Mom was very disturbed after what happened at my birthday party, and I had a plan to set things right. It’s just that I couldn’t tell Mom about it right then.
Devastated elderly woman | Source: Midjourney
The following Thursday morning, I walked into the cozy café near the university, bustling with students and professionals.
The smell of coffee and chatter filled the air.
I spotted Tom at a corner table and waved.
Inside a cafe | Source: Midjourney
I remembered Tom from when I was young. He was one of Dad’s colleagues, always nice and kind. He used to visit us often, but then we moved across town, and those visits stopped. Seeing his familiar face brought back memories.
“Hi, Tom,” I said as I sat down. “It’s good to see you.”
“Wow, Hannah! You’ve grown up!” he chuckled. “It’s good to see you too. How are things?” he asked.
Young woman talking to older man at cafe | Source: Midjourney
“Busy, but exciting. Graduation is just around the corner,” I replied.
A week ago, when I contacted Tom on Facebook, I wasn’t very hopeful he would reply. But somehow, his name was the first to pop into my head, and I just gave it a try.
Luckily, he replied.
“By the way, I thought about your idea,” he said as I sipped my coffee. “I’m okay with that. Will your Mom agree?”
Woman drinking coffee | Source: Midjourney
“She will. Thanks. I appreciate all your help,” I said sincerely.
“You’re welcome, Hannah. Your mom deserves better, and so do you,” he replied.
We chatted about various things, recalling some sweet memories of when I was a little girl and Tom used to get me princess dolls. He was just the sweetest man from my childhood, and I had a brilliant plan brewing at the back of my mind.
A cute girl | Source: Midjourney
I didn’t realize how time flew by and the graduation day arrived.
I stood in Mom’s bedroom, surrounded by elegant dresses and makeup.
Mom held up a beautiful dress, and I nodded approvingly.
“I can’t believe my baby is graduating,” she said, zipping up my dress. “You look stunning, Hannah.”
Older woman helping younger woman get ready | Source: Midjourney
“Thanks, Mom. You look amazing, too. Tonight’s going to be special,” I replied, smiling.
Mom had put on a shimmering navy blue dress that hugged her figure gracefully. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she wore delicate silver jewelry that complemented her look perfectly.
“I hope your dad behaves himself tonight,” she said, wearing her earrings.
Gorgeous older woman | Source: Midjourney
“Don’t worry about him, Mom. Just focus on having a good time. Everything will be fine,” I assured her.
Mom smiled, but I could see the worry in her eyes.
I squeezed her hand. “Really, Mom. Enjoy tonight. You deserve it. I’m so happy for you.”
“I will, sweetie. Thank you,” she said, giving me a warm hug.
Mother and daughter hugging | Source: Midjourney
I looked in the mirror, adjusting my dress and makeup. “Now, I gotta leave. See you soon,” I said, grabbing my bag.
“Alright, Hannah. See you there,” Mom replied, giving me a quick kiss.
As I left the house, I took a deep breath. The plan was set, and I felt ready. I knew tonight had to be perfect, not just for me but for Mom, too. This was our night, and I wouldn’t let anything ruin it.
Woman in graduation attire standing with other graduates | Source: Midjourney
When I arrived at the graduation hall, I took one last look in the mirror and straightened my cap and gown.
The room buzzed with excitement as graduates and their families filled the seats.
I scanned the crowd and spotted Dad arriving with Jessica. They looked confident, but I knew that would change soon.
Young girl in graduation attire posing with older man | Source: Midjourney
About 15 minutes later, Mom entered the auditorium with Tom. She looked stunning, and Tom looked dapper in a suit.
Seeing them together made me smile. They waved at me, and I waved back.
I could see shock clouding Dad and Jessica’s faces when they saw Mom happy with a guy about five years younger than her!
“Thanks for making it, Tom. Mom, you look gorgeous!” I said, hugging her.
Good-looking couple | Source: Midjourney
It was then Dad’s voice cut through.
“Tom? What are you doing here?”
We turned to see him with Jessica behind him.
Tom put an arm around Mom. “Supporting a dear friend and her daughter,” he said.
Happy couple | Source: Midjourney
“Didn’t you mention he was your colleague? How did this happen?” I heard Jessica whispering to Dad, and I couldn’t help but smile because my plan was successful.
“Well, Mom and Tom have been catching up lately. They realized they have a lot in common,” I said, grinning.
Dad looked flustered. “I see,” he said. “Well, it’s… nice to see you, Tom.”
Serious-looking man | Source: Midjourney
Tom smirked slightly. “Nice to see you too, Robert. Life takes interesting turns, doesn’t it?”
As the evening went on, Mom and Tom looked genuinely happy together. They laughed and danced, looking like a perfect couple. Jessica tried to keep up appearances, but her discomfort was evident.
Dad couldn’t hide his frustration either. His eyes kept darting towards Mom and Tom, and I could see the wheels turning in his head.
Couple looking happy together | Source: Midjourney
Before leaving, Mom hugged me tightly. “Thank you for everything, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of you too, Mom,” I said, smiling. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
As I watched Mom walk away with Tom, I knew Dad regretted his choices. He realized too late that he had lost the best thing in his life. I also saw he pushed Jess away when she asked him for a dance, and I laughed.
My plan to show Dad that Mom could be happy without him worked perfectly. Mom and Tom fell in love and are now together. I couldn’t be happier for her.
A happy family | Source: Midjourney
Do you think Dad deserved a taste of his medicine?
I took a job at 70 to save up for my wife’s surgery, but something happened that I never expected.
The fluorescent lights of the discount electronics store hummed, a monotonous drone that seemed to amplify the weariness in Arthur’s bones. At 70, he hadn’t expected to be back in the workforce, but his wife, Eleanor, needed surgery, a costly procedure that their meager savings couldn’t cover. So, he’d taken the job, a part-time gig at a place that sold everything from bargain-bin headphones to refurbished laptops.
The work was tedious, the customers often demanding, but Arthur endured it. He focused on Eleanor, on the image of her healthy and vibrant again, and the days passed.
One afternoon, a man entered the store, his hesitant steps and the white cane tapping ahead of him clearly marking him as visually impaired. He approached the counter, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice soft, “I’m looking for a digital voice recorder. Something simple, for taking notes.”
Arthur, who had been organizing a display of phone chargers, paused and offered a kind smile. “Certainly, sir. We have several options. Let me show you.”
He led the man to a shelf displaying various voice recorders, explaining the features of each model in clear, concise terms. The man listened attentively, nodding occasionally. Finally, he settled on a small, unassuming device. “This one sounds perfect,” he said. “How much is it?”
Arthur checked the price tag. “That’s $39.99, sir.”
But before Arthur could ring up the sale, the store manager, a young man named Kevin, with a slicked-back hairstyle and an air of arrogant impatience, stepped in. “Actually,” he said, his voice laced with a false sweetness, “that model is $79.99.”
The visually impaired man hesitated, his brow furrowed. “That’s… that’s quite a bit more than I expected.”
“It’s a high-quality device,” Kevin insisted, his eyes glinting. “Worth every penny.”
Arthur’s stomach churned. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew the price, he had just checked it. He couldn’t stand by and let Kevin take advantage of this man’s vulnerability.
“Excuse me, Kevin,” Arthur said, his voice firm, “the price is $39.99. I just checked.”
Kevin’s eyes narrowed. “Are you questioning me, old man?” he hissed, his voice dropping to a low growl.
“I’m correcting you,” Arthur replied, his gaze unwavering. “It’s the right thing to do.”
The visually impaired man, sensing the tension, looked from Arthur to Kevin, his expression confused.
Kevin’s face flushed crimson. “You’re making a fool of yourself,” he spat. “You think you know better than me?”
“I know what’s right,” Arthur said, his voice steady.
“Get out!” Kevin roared, his voice echoing through the store. “You’re fired! You’re nothing but a washed-up old fool. Get out of my sight!”
Arthur stood his ground, his gaze fixed on Kevin. He felt a surge of anger, but he also felt a strange sense of peace. He had done what was right.
He turned to the visually impaired man. “Sir,” he said, his voice gentle, “the price is $39.99. I’m sorry for the confusion.”
The man smiled, a grateful expression spreading across his face. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for your honesty.”
Arthur nodded and walked away, leaving Kevin fuming behind the counter. He gathered his belongings, his heart heavy but his conscience clear. As he walked out the door, he knew he had lost his job, but he had gained something far more valuable: his integrity.
The next few days were difficult. Without his job, the burden of Eleanor’s surgery loomed larger than ever. But Arthur refused to despair. He spent his days searching for new opportunities, his determination fueled by his love for Eleanor.
One afternoon, he received a phone call. It was the visually impaired man he had helped. The man, whose name was Thomas, was a lawyer. He had been so impressed by Arthur’s honesty that he wanted to offer him a job.
“I need someone I can trust,” Thomas said, his voice warm. “Someone with integrity. And I believe you’re that person.”
Arthur was overwhelmed. He had never expected such kindness, such generosity. He accepted the job, his heart filled with gratitude.
With his new job, Arthur was able to pay for Eleanor’s surgery. She recovered quickly, her health restored, her smile brighter than ever. Arthur had lost a job, but he had gained a friend, a new career, and a renewed sense of purpose. He had learned that even in the face of adversity, honesty and integrity will always prevail. And that sometimes, the most unexpected acts of kindness can change your life forever.
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