Alice’s son had always been a happy child, but lately, he would shrink away whenever her new husband, Sam, walked into the room. At first, she brushed it off as fussiness. But then, her son told her something about Sam that sent a shiver down her spine.
Being a single mother was never part of the plan.
When I married my first husband, Daniel, I had dreams of building a life together and raising our child in a home full of love.
But fate had other ideas.
A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
Jeremy was barely a few weeks old when I woke up one morning to find Daniel gone.
At first, I thought he had gone for a walk or stepped out for coffee. But then I noticed his closet was empty and his suitcase was missing.
His toothbrush was also gone.
I panicked and immediately called his phone, but it went straight to voicemail.
Then, I called his best friend, Chris.
A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels
“Hey, Chris, have you heard from Daniel? He’s not home.”
Silence. Then a sigh.
“Alice, I… I think you should sit down before I tell you what’s going on.”
That’s when I learned the truth.
Daniel hadn’t just left me. He had run away to another country with another woman.
A woman he had been seeing behind my back for months.
I spent weeks in a daze after learning where my husband was. I was unable to eat, sleep, or function properly.
And the worst part was that I blamed myself for everything. Was I not enough? Did I do something wrong? Why did he leave us like this?
A woman looking outside her bedroom window | Source: Midjourney
But when I finally gathered the courage to face the truth, I realized it had nothing to do with me. He was the one who was selfish. The one who betrayed our family.
And I refused to let his betrayal define me.
Soon, I threw myself into work, determined to give Jeremy the best life possible. My mother looked after Jeremy while I juggled my job.
Slowly, the pain faded, and I started finding happiness in small moments. I found myself laughing at Jeremy’s giggles and adoring the way he called me “Mommy.”
With time, I realized we were doing just fine.
Then I met Sam.
A man standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney
It was a hectic afternoon at my favorite coffee shop. Jeremy was at daycare, and I had just wrapped up a long morning at work.
I reached into my purse to pay, only to realize my card wasn’t working.
“Oh, come on,” I muttered, trying again.
Still nothing.
The cashier gave me a polite but tired look, and I felt the heat of embarrassment creep up my neck. Just as I was about to put my coffee back, a deep voice spoke up behind me.
“Let me get that for you.”
A woman holding a cup of coffee | Source: Pexels
I turned to see a tall man with warm brown eyes. He pulled out his card and tapped it against the reader.
“Oh no, you don’t have to—”
“Really, it’s fine,” he said with a charming smile. “It’s just coffee.”
I hesitated before sighing. “Alright. But give me your number so I can pay you back.”
He chuckled. “Deal.”
That was how it started. A simple act of kindness. A number exchanged. A text here and there.
A man using his phone | Source: Pexels
Over time, I learned Sam was an insurance broker. He was two years older than me and didn’t mind the fact that I came with a little boy.
I still remember the day I told him about Jeremy.
“Alice, that’s wonderful!” he cheered. “I love kids.”
For the first time in years, I felt hope bloom inside me. Maybe love wasn’t off the table after all.
We dated for a year before getting married, and Sam was everything I could have wished for. He was attentive and patient and never made me feel like I was “too much.”
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
The best part was that Jeremy bonded with him instantly, giggling at his silly jokes and reaching for his hand whenever we walked together.
That’s when I let my guard down for the first time in a LONG time. That’s when I believed we were finally a family.
But then… my life took an unexpected turn. Never in a million years had I thought I’d experience something like this.
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
It all started the day my mother pulled me aside. She had this look of concern on her face.
“Alice,” she began in a hushed tone. “Don’t you see that he’s always whining around Sam?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Just watch him. Every time Sam’s around, Jeremy looks different.”
At first, I brushed it off as my mother being overly protective. She had always been wary of men after what Daniel did to me.
But later that evening, I started paying attention.
A boy sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney
Jeremy was his usual cheerful self when it was just the two of us. He laughed, played, and chatted endlessly about his day at daycare. But the moment Sam walked into the room, something changed.
His shoulders stiffened, his voice quieted, and sometimes he would start crying for no apparent reason.
It made me realize I needed to talk to Sam about it.
“Hey, can I ask you something?” I said later that night.
He glanced up from his phone. “Of course.”
“Have you noticed how Jeremy acts around you?”
“What do you mean?”
A man sitting in his bedroom | Source: Midjourney
I hesitated. “He… he gets quiet. Sometimes he even cries.”
“Alice, I love that kid,” he said. “I treat him like my own. Why would he—-“
“I know,” I interrupted, unsure if I had offended him. “It’s just… I don’t know.”
He reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Maybe he’s adjusting. It’s a big change for him, right? A new father figure. It’s a lot for a five-year-old.”
I nodded, wanting to believe him. He sounded so sincere. But deep down, something didn’t sit right.
A woman looking away while talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
A few days later, I picked up Jeremy from daycare, and on our way home, we stopped for ice cream. He sat on the bench beside me as he licked his cone.
“Hey, buddy,” I said gently. “Can I ask you something?”
He nodded while enjoying his ice cream.
“Why do you get upset around Sam?”
His smile faded, and he turned the other way.
A boy sitting on a bench | Source: Midjourney
“You can tell me anything, sweetheart,” I said, turning him back towards me. “I won’t be mad.”
“I heard Daddy talking on the phone…” He looked at me. “And he said I’m a problem.”
I couldn’t process that.
“Are you sure, sweetheart?”
Jeremy shook his head.
“Yes. He said, ‘Little Jeremy is a problem.’ I didn’t hear the rest because I ran to my room.” He hesitated before asking in a small voice, “Mommy, will he leave like my first daddy?”
Tears welled in his big, brown eyes. I couldn’t bear that.
A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney
I pulled him into my arms, brushing his hair back. “Oh, sweetheart, no. I will never let anyone leave you, okay?”
That night, I confronted Sam.
As soon as Jeremy was asleep, I stood in front of him. “Did you call Jeremy a problem?”
Sam looked up from the couch. “What?”
“Jeremy heard you on the phone. He said you called him a problem.”
For a split second, something flickered in his expression. Something dark.
A close-up shot of a man’s face | Source: Midjourney
But then, his face quickly smoothed over.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Alice, come on. He must’ve misunderstood. I was talking about a guy at work. His name is Jeremy. You know, we’ve been dealing with a mess of paperwork, and I probably said something in frustration.”
I studied his face, searching for any sign of a lie. “So, you weren’t talking about my son?”
“Of course not. I’d never say something like that about him. I love that kid.”
I let out a shaky breath, nodding. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe Jeremy really had misheard.
A close-up shot of a woman’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
“I’ll talk to him in the morning,” Sam promised. “I’ll clear everything up.”
And he did.
The next morning, he sat Jeremy down and reassured him that it was all a misunderstanding. My little boy nodded as Sam explained everything. I was relieved to see Jeremy smile.
But when I told my mother about it, she frowned. “Have you ever been to his office? Do you know anyone he works with?”
“I know where he works,” I told her. “I have the address.”
“That’s not what I asked,” she said. “Do you know anyone he actually works with? Have you met any of his coworkers?”
People working in an office | Source: Pexels
I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came. The truth was, I hadn’t. I had never been to his office or met any of his colleagues.
“Alice, something isn’t right,” Mom said. “You need to check.”
I sighed, shaking my head. “Mom, you’re being paranoid.”
“Am I?” she shot back. “Or are you ignoring the signs?”
The next morning, as I packed Jeremy’s lunch, my phone rang. It was my mother. Her voice was urgent.
An older woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
“Alice, I checked,” she said. “That address he gave you? There’s no record of him working there. No one’s ever heard of him.”
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
“How do you know that?” I asked in a trembling voice.
“Remember Mrs. Parker? She works there,” my mom replied. “She confirmed, Alice. Sam doesn’t work there.”
At that point, I was sure Sam was hiding something from me. And I had to find out what that was.
That evening, I told Sam I had to visit my mother because she wasn’t feeling well. I told him I’d stay there for a few days with Jeremy.
As expected, he didn’t mind. He told me we could stay there as long as my mom needed.
A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
Once we were at my mother’s house, I locked the door behind me and sank onto the couch. I needed to know the truth.
Hiring a private investigator wasn’t something I had ever imagined doing, but desperation pushed me into action.
I needed facts. I needed real, undeniable proof of who Sam was.
Three days later, I got my answer.
“It’s worse than you think,” the investigator said as he handed me a folder.
My hands trembled as I opened it. Inside were phone records, financial statements, and a detailed report of Sam’s past.
His entire life was a lie.
A woman holding documents | Source: Pexels
The office address he had given me? It was fake. There was no insurance company and no coworker named Jeremy.
The investigator had tapped Sam’s phone and uncovered everything. It turned out Sam had been talking to his mother that night, not a colleague.
The investigator told me they were scammers and this was their game.
“He’s been planning to frame you at work,” the investigator continued. “Your job gives you access to financial accounts, right? He’s been setting things up so that if something goes wrong, you’ll take the fall. Once you’re arrested, he gets access to your assets including your savings and your home.”
A man talking to a woman | Source: Midjourney
I gripped the folder as I started to realize how Jeremy was a problem for Sam and his mother. If I went to jail, Sam would either have to take care of him or put him in state custody.
He hadn’t just been scamming me. He had been planning to erase me from the equation entirely.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “What do I do now?”
“Go to the police, Alice,” the investigator said firmly. “As soon as possible.”
I didn’t hesitate.
A police car standing outside a building | Source: Pexels
With the investigator’s findings, I went straight to the authorities. The evidence was overwhelming.
I found out that Sam and his mother had a long history of conning women. They had been moving from state to state under different identities.
But this time, he had gone further by marrying me. And I guess that was because I had something valuable.
Once I told the cops everything I knew about Sam, they reassured me they wouldn’t let him get away with this. All they needed was a few days to ensure they had enough to arrest him.
I wasn’t there when they took him away, but I heard he didn’t go quietly. He screamed, denied everything, and claimed it was all a setup.
But the evidence spoke for itself.
A man in handcuffs | Source: Pexels
I will never forget the look on his face as the cops led him away in the courtroom. It was like he was trying to tell me he’d return.
But instead of feeling scared, I straightened my back and smiled while looking into his eyes.
After the trial, I took Jeremy out for ice cream because he was the one who saved me from losing everything. Had he not told me about Sam’s conversation with his mother, I wouldn’t be here writing this story for you all.
I’ll always be grateful to fate for giving me such an intelligent boy like Jeremy.
A little boy | Source: Midjourney
I Agreed to a Group Dinner with Two Freeloaders — but They Didn’t Expect What I Did Next
Cecelia had reached her breaking point with two freeloading members of her tight-knit group. Initially refusing a dinner invite, a brilliant plan struck her mind. She agreed to join while her friends were unaware of the lesson she was about to teach them. What happened next left everyone speechless.
Hey, everyone! I’m Cecelia, and I’ve got a story for you that’s been a long time coming.
I’ve always been an overachiever. In school, I was that girl who wouldn’t settle for anything less than an A.
A girl sitting in her classroom | Source: Pexels
Now, at 27, I’m killing it as an accounts manager at a big firm in the city. My job pays well, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
But this story isn’t about my career; it’s about my friends.
We’re a group of eight who’ve been tight since college. We’ve been through thick and thin together, and I love them all… well, almost all of them. There are two people in our group who I just can’t seem to respect anymore: Samantha and Arnold.
Why? I’ll explain that later.
A group of friends singing songs | Source: Pexels
First, let me tell you about how I’ve always been there for my friends. Take Betty, for example. A few months ago, she called me in tears.
“Cecelia, I hate to ask, but I’m in a bind,” Betty sobbed over the phone. “My car broke down, and I need $200 for repairs. I won’t get paid until next week, and I can’t miss work. Could you…”
I cut her off before she could finish. “Of course, Betty. I’ll transfer the money right now. Pay me back when you can, okay?”
A woman talking on her phone | Source: Pexels
Betty was so grateful and true to her word. She paid me back as soon as she got her paycheck.
It’s moments like these that make our friendship so strong.
A few weeks later, Harry needed help moving. He called me on a Saturday morning, and he sounded stressed.
“Hey, Cecelia. My moving truck is here, but my friends who were supposed to help bailed on me. Any chance you’re free today?”
A man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
I laughed. “Harry, you know I can’t lift anything heavier than my laptop. But I’ll be there in 20 minutes with coffee and donuts for everyone. And I’ll help organize and unpack. Okay?”
“You’re a lifesaver, Cece. Thanks!”
That’s just how our group works. We’re there for each other, no questions asked.
But then there’s Samantha and Arnold. I’ve never been in a situation where they needed my help, but our experiences at group dinners have been… well, horrible is putting it mildly.
Women having lunch together | Source: Unsplash
No one in the group talks about it openly, but we’ve all noticed what these two are up to.
Picture this: we’re out for lunch, and everyone’s scanning the menu, looking for something tasty but reasonably priced. Then there’s Samantha and Arnold, zeroing in on the most expensive items.
After ordering, they’ll turn to whoever’s closest and start their sob story.
“Oh, work’s been so slow lately,” Samantha will sigh. “I don’t know how I’m going to make rent this month.”
A woman talking to her friend in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Arnold’s favorite line is, “Man, my student loans are killing me. I barely have enough for groceries.”
And then, when the bill comes, they’ll conveniently forget their wallets or claim they can only chip in a few bucks. The rest of us end up covering their extravagant meals.
They’ve pulled this stunt with everyone in the group, and I’ve had enough. I decided I wasn’t going to go out for dinner or lunch with Samantha and Arnold ever again.
I refuse to be used like this.
A close-up shot of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney
So, last weekend, Jason called to invite me to a casual dinner with the group.
“Hey Cecelia, we’re thinking of grabbing dinner at that new place downtown on Friday. You in?” he asked cheerfully.
I bit my lip. “Who’s coming?”
“It’s just me, you, Betty, Harry, Samantha, and Arnold. Liz and Ben aren’t in town.”
I groaned inside. “Jason, I don’t think I can make it if Samantha and Arnold are going to be there.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
A man talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
“Come on, Cece. Don’t be like that. It’s just dinner.”
“It’s never just dinner with those two,” I retorted. “I’m tired of paying for their five-star meals while I eat a side salad.”
“Just get over yourself and come for once,” he snapped. “Stop being such a baby about it. We’re all tired of your complaints.”
I was about to decline again when an idea struck me. A slightly wicked, definitely petty, but oh-so-satisfying idea.
A woman talking to a friend on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“You know what? I’ll be there,” I said, trying to keep the mischief out of my voice.
“Really?” Jason sounded surprised but pleased. “Great! I’ll see you Friday at 7.”
As I hung up, I couldn’t help but smile. This was going to be interesting.
Friday night rolled around, and I arrived at the restaurant right on time. Everyone was already there, chatting and laughing.
I slid into the booth next to Betty, across from Samantha and Arnold.
Friends talking in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Cecelia!” Samantha cooed. “So glad you could make it. Isn’t this place fabulous?”
I forced a smile. “It’s lovely.”
The waiter came to take our orders. Most of the group ordered reasonably priced meals, around $25 each. Then it was Samantha and Arnold’s turn.
“I’ll have the Wagyu steak, medium-rare,” Samantha purred. “And a glass of the 2015 Cabernet, please.”
Arnold nodded approvingly. “Make that two, and add the lobster tail to mine.”
I could see Jason’s eyes widen slightly. Their orders were easily $150 each.
A man sitting in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
When it was my turn, everyone was looking at me. Here’s the catch: I just pointed to a $3 iced tea on the menu and sent the waiter away.
Jason looked at me, confused. “Aren’t you hungry, Cecelia?”
I shrugged. “Lost my appetite, I guess.”
Betty and Harry exchanged glances, then quickly changed their orders to just drinks as well.
We chatted about work and life while waiting for the food. Soon, the waiter arrived with the meals.
A serving of steak with vegetables | Source: Pexels
Samantha and Arnold’s plates looked like something out of a food magazine. Perfectly seared steaks, glistening lobster tails, and colorful vegetable garnishes.
“Oh my,” Samantha said, eyeing her plate. “This steak looks a bit overdone. And is this asparagus? I’m not a fan.”
Arnold nodded in agreement. “The lobster seems a bit small. I hope it’s worth the price.”
I caught Betty rolling her eyes and had to stifle a laugh.
Meanwhile, Jason said, “Well, my burger is great! How’s your drink, Cecelia?”
A man sitting beside his friend in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I grinned. “Delicious. Best $3 I’ve ever spent.”
As the meal wound down, the waiter brought over the check. Arnold grabbed it and announced, “Okay, let’s split this six ways, shall we?”
That was my cue. I stood up and smiled sweetly at the waiter.
“Actually, we’ll be splitting this three ways. Jason, Samantha, and Arnold had meals. The rest of us just had drinks, which we’ve already paid for at the bar.”
Everyone was stunned.
Silence.
A woman in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
Then, I saw Arnold squint his eyes in confusion and widen them as he understood what would happen next. His face flushed red in anger.
“But… but we always split the bill,” he sputtered.
I shook my head. “Not tonight. It wouldn’t be fair for us to pay for meals we didn’t eat, would it?”
Samantha tried to argue. “Cecelia, don’t be ridiculous. We’re all friends here.”
“Exactly,” I replied. “And friends don’t take advantage of each other.”
A woman talking to her friend | Source: Midjourney
In the end, they couldn’t argue with my logic.
Jason, who had only ordered a $35 meal, ended up with a $115 bill. I’ll never forget the look on his face when he saw that receipt.
I slid a $5 bill toward the center of the table for the tip, said my goodbyes, and walked out feeling lighter than I had in months.
The next morning, my phone was buzzing with messages. Samantha and Arnold were livid, calling me mean and blaming me for their high bill.
A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t help but laugh. Their steaks alone cost more than what they ended up paying!
Meanwhile, Jason’s messages were a mix of frustration and begrudging respect.
“You could have just not come instead of pulling that stunt,” he wrote. “But I get why you did it. Maybe it’s time we had a group talk about dinner etiquette.”
I felt a twinge of guilt about Jason’s bill, but I knew this had been a long time coming.
A restaurant bill | Source: Midjourney
Sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself, even if it means rocking the boat a little.
As for Samantha and Arnold? I’m hoping they learned their lesson, but only time will tell.
One thing’s for sure, I won’t be joining any group dinners with them anytime soon. Unless, of course, separate checks are agreed upon in advance!
Do you think I did the right thing?
A woman standing in a house | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed reading this story, here’s another one you might like: Excitement for their weekend getaway turned into frustration as Sarah’s friends dodged paying their share of the $2,000 cabin rental. Little did they know, she had a plan to make sure they didn’t get away with it.
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.
Leave a Reply