Thanksgiving morning started like any other, with me in the kitchen and my husband glued to the TV. But when a surprise turkey arrived with a note thanking me for “sharing” my husband, I decided to serve up a dish of my own: revenge, right at the dinner table.Hosting Thanksgiving was my responsibility during the decade I was married to Ryan. I’m Amelia. I was 35 at the time of this story. I was also a wife, a mom of two, and basically a chef-maid combo. A woman cooking | Source: MidjourneyThis particular holiday started at 6 a.m. as I had to prepare for a house full of guests. Meanwhile, Ryan simply woke up around 11 a.m. and sprawled on the couch to yell at some football game.By noon, the turkey was roasting, the green bean casserole was ready to go, and my daughters were busy drawing hand turkeys at the kitchen table. That’s when the doorbell rang. I frowned and wiped my hands on my apron, muttering, “Who even delivers on Thanksgiving?”A woman with an apron in the kitchen, looking confused | Source: MidjourneyOutside stood a cheerful delivery guy holding a box that smelled divine. “Special delivery,” he announced, thrusting it into my hands.”I’m sorry. We didn’t order this,” I said, confused.”Lady, I don’t care. I just want to finish this day quickly. Enjoy!” he chirped before walking off.Okay. I carried the box to the counter, thinking maybe Ryan had planned something sweet for once in his life. A gift box | Source: PexelsInside was a perfectly roasted turkey, golden brown and so beautifully presented it could’ve been on a magazine cover. My heart softened for a moment. Could he really have done this for me? Though, I wished he would’ve told me before I put a turkey in the oven.A woman with a blue gift box | Source: MidjourneyIt was tucked beside the turkey, written in sharp, cursive handwriting: “Thank you for sharing your husband with me! Happy Thanksgiving. XO, Kelsey.”I read it twice as my brain refused to process the words. Sharing my husband? Was this a sick joke? I glanced at Ryan, who was still glued to the TV, hollering at some touchdown. A man sitting on a sofa with a remote on his hand | Source: PexelsTaking advantage of his obliviousness, I picked up his phone from the counter. The lock screen lit up just then with a notification from someone named “Kelsey ❤️.”I didn’t want to snoop, but I had to know. He’d never given me his code, but I knew what it was: the six digits of Peyton Manning’s birthday. Not even our girls were as important as football.A finger clicking a code on a phone | Source: PexelsMy hands shook as I clicked on the message from Kelsey. I hoped until the last minute that this was some big misunderstanding. But the texts confirmed my suspicions. She had sent a message that read: “Can’t wait to see you later.”And then, a second that said, “Did she get the turkey yet? LOL. Can’t wait to see her face. Happy Thanksgiving, babe.” So, yes. That’s how I discovered that my husband was having an affair, and Kelsey was laughing at me. Actually, they’d both been playing me for a fool. But no longer. A woman looking at a phone | Source: MidjourneyI took a deep breath to compose myself and considered. Once I came up with a plan, I had to act quickly, so I could get through Thanksgiving and… exact my revenge.As was the norm for the past decade, Thanksgiving dinner was always a big production. Ryan’s parents, sister, and a few of my own relatives gathered around the table. My girls were running around showing off their art. Meanwhile, I kept my hostess mask firmly in place, greeting them all with a smile while Ryan talked about the football game.Thanksgiving dinner | Source: PexelsAs we sat down to eat, Ryan leaned back in his chair, grinning like he was king of the castle. “You know, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without Amelia. She works so hard every year. I really have the best taste in women,” he said, chuckling.Something about that wording had me boiling inside. His mother nodded approvingly. “You’re so lucky to have her.”I smiled sweetly and kept eating in silence. When everyone was done with their main course, I stood and ushered the girls from their seats. I didn’t want them to see or hear what was coming.A woman at a Thanksgiving table | Source: Pexels”Excuse me for a moment. I have a little surprise for the girls in their room. I’ll be back with our dessert.”After settling the girls in their room, I walked to the kitchen and returned to the dining room with the mystery turkey in its fancy box. The room fell silent as I placed it in the center of the table.”Amelia, we just ate a whole turkey. Why did you make a second one?” Ryan’s mother asked, furrowing her eyebrows.A couple looking confused at a dinner table | Source: Midjourney”This arrived earlier today,” I announced to her and everyone at the table. “A special delivery for me from Ryan’s mistress.”Ryan’s eyes bulged as the rest of the table swiveled their heads to him. “What are you talking about?” he demanded, acting offended.I held up the note. “It’s all here.”His face turned as white as the mashed potatoes. “No—this isn’t real. It’s just some prank, Amelia!”A man looking shocked | Source: Midjourney”Oh, really?” I said, pulling his phone from my pocket. I scrolled to Kelsey’s messages and handed the phone to his mother. “Care to explain these texts, which seem to be from the same woman who signed the note?”His mother’s expression changed as she read their conversation. “Ryan, what is this?” she asked, leaning over the table with a distraught face.An older woman looking sad | Source: MidjourneyRyan stayed quiet but jumped when his father slammed his fist on the table. “Answer your mother, right now! Is this real? Are you cheating on your wife of ten years? The mother of your kids!”My husband looked down and started crying. “YOU PATHETIC LITTLE—” his father began but stopped himself. “How could you do this to your family?”Ryan’s sister stood from the table and pointed at her brother. “You disgust me. Amelia deserves so much better.”A woman looking angry | Source: MidjourneyRyan sniffled, “Amelia, we-we ne-need to talk about thi-this in private—””Oh, we’ll talk,” I said, cutting him off. “But first, I have one more surprise.”The room was tense as I reached under the table and pulled out the final piece of my plan: a small bag containing a shiny new set of locks and a piece of paper with a phone number scrawled across it.A business card on a Thanksgiving table | Source: Midjourney”This,” I said, placing them in front of Ryan, “is to show you what’s going to happen next. The card has the number for my divorce lawyer, whom I’ll call as soon as this holiday is over. The locks are for the house, which I’ll change tomorrow. No, I won’t give you any new keys. So, you have until then to pack your things.”He started sputtering. “Yo-you can’t do this!” he finally said, wiping snot from his face.A man looking angry | Source: Midjourney”Oh, I can. The decision’s been made. Happy Thanksgiving, Ryan. And you can take this dirty turkey back to Kelsey. She can keep you all to herself. No more sharing!” I added.Ryan’s mother burst into tears as his father shook his head in disgust. His sister glared at him, muttering, “You need to leave.”With this tail between his legs, Ryan stood and walked out. For the next few days, he called and texted non-stop, begging me for forgiveness. But I ignored every message. His family sided with me completely, which was a huge relief.A woman smiling with her phone in her hand | Source: MidjourneyHis sister even told me that when Ryan realized he had no options, he went to Kelsey’s house. Turns out, she wasn’t actually interested in living with him and shut the door in his face. She’d allegedly just wanted to reveal the affair once and for all. I still didn’t like her, but at least, she saved me from staying married to Ryan.By Christmas, I’d filed for divorce, and my daughters and I spent the holidays at my mom’s house. I was sad that my in-laws would no longer be my family, but we’d always be connected through my daughters.A woman and her kids having fun in the snow | Source: MidjourneyThe following year, we went through the legal process, and I got everything I wanted in the divorce. Ryan only had the girls for two weekends a month. But he checked out after that and barely appeared in their lives. Every once in a while, however, he sent me texts asking me to take him back.By the next Thanksgiving, I was with a wonderful new man, who woke up earlier than me to prepare the feast. He was even a much better cook and took charge of the kitchen while I got to rest for the first time in years.A man cooking | Source: MidjourneyMonths later, we were engaged, and let’s just say that Ryan didn’t take that well. But that’s a story for another time. I hope that anyone who reads this knows that betrayal will feel awful at that moment, but you have to realize that it can also hold the key to your freedom.My holidays since I left Ryan only got better, and that’s what I want for anyone in my position.A woman looking happy at dining table | Source: MidjourneyHere’s another story: My husband and I had an incredible bond with his parents, to the point of seeing them as close friends. But after we discovered we were pregnant, my in-laws started pulling away before we could share the good news, only for us to find out they had been hiding something shocking!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.

An arrogant-looking man holding a bank card while a woman next to him looks annoyed | Source: ShutterstockWhen my father stood up at my graduation party and bragged for the millionth time about paying for my college education, I couldn’t stay quiet. It was time to set the record straight, and what I revealed left everyone in the room speechless.A few years ago, I graduated from college. It was a milestone I worked my butt off to reach, and my dad, Hugo, made sure that journey was even harder than it had to be. A woman in a cap and gown | Source: GeminiBut what’s even worse, he lied to make himself look great and took credit for all my sacrifices… until I decided to reveal the truth. Let’s go back to the beginning. My dad was the kind of parent who treated my report cards like they were stock market updates. If I got an A-, he’d hit me with, “What happened to the other two percent?” He’d tell anyone who’d listen that I was a “little genius” thanks to his guidance, but at home, he tore apart everything I did and didn’t try to help me in the slightest.A man looking angry while a teenager studies | Source: GeminiBack then, I was extremely jealous of my cousin Fred, who lived a couple of streets over. He was living the life. His parents, Aunt Florence and Uncle Joe, actually supported his passions. Fred liked to call himself “laid-back,” but the guy was privileged. He’d go to family gatherings talking about his road trips or the new gaming setup his parents bought him. Meanwhile, I was stuck with crippling anxiety during my teenage years and a severe fear of failure. Explaining to my dad why I didn’t get accepted into an Ivy League school almost ended me.A teenage girl looking sad while holding a rejection letter | Source: GeminiHe screamed and ranted like never before that day. I think that’s when the switch flipped for me. This wasn’t normal. Fred got to do what he wanted.So, I decided then and there I’d find a way out. It wouldn’t be easy, but I’d rather struggle than let my father control me forever.High school graduation was coming, and I had to pick between the colleges that had accepted me. This decision depended in large part on whether my dad was helping me financially. One night, I went to his study, the most intimidating room in the house, and asked if he was going to help me with tuition.A teenager knocking on a closed door | Source: GeminiI remember that he leaned back in his chair and smirked.”Of course, Jenna, but there are conditions.”He listed them off like I was signing a contract. “I’ll choose your major. No parties. I want monthly updates on your grades and access to your school’s online portal. Oh, and no dating until after graduation.”A man listing off things with his fingers | Source: GeminiI stared at him, dumbfounded. “Dad, that’s not support. That’s prison.””Well, if you want my money, you follow my rules,” he said, shrugging like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.I walked out of that room feeling crushed but also determined. I wasn’t going to give him that power. So, I got creative. I chose the most sensible program, actually received a partial scholarship, and organized myself. A young woman smiling at a piece of paper | Source: GeminiWhen I told my father I didn’t need his help, he just laughed. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”Spoiler alert: It lasted. But I wasn’t done with him.Let’s fast-forward around two years. At the time, I was juggling classes, late shifts at a diner, and studying in laundromats. After all, it was quieter than my dorm. A woman studying at a laundromat | Source: GeminiDespite how tired I felt all the time, I was accomplishing so much. I still stressed about grades, but it was an entirely different experience than my childhood. I’d built this on my own. But my father tried to rewrite history. Uncle Joe and Aunt Florence hosted a barbecue for Fred’s graduation from college. I rarely attended family events, but I loved my cousin, so I went. A couple at a barbecue | Source: GeminiDad was there, and he barely said hello. But later, he turned on his charm for our other relatives. “You wouldn’t believe the sacrifices I’ve made for Jenna’s education,” he told anyone who would listen in a proud voice. “But, of course, she’s worth it.”I choked on my soda. No one else at the party knew the truth, and I wasn’t sure this was the place to reveal it.My dad kept going though. “She’s got such a bright future ahead, thanks to her old man.”A man laughing with others at a barbecue party | Source: GeminiI walked away and stayed quiet the rest of the night. Confronting him right there would’ve caused a scene, and that wasn’t fair to Fred. My job was to focus on my studies, but I knew one day I’d have my chance to call Dad out.Two more years passed, and that chance came. My grandmother decided to throw me a graduation party. She went all out and invited the entire family. An older woman hosting an elegant party outdoors | Source: GeminiThis party was about me and my achievements, but of course, my dad had different plans. There was a mini stage set up in my grandmother’s backyard next to a sound system, projector, and white screen. Grandma said she had a video of me prepared. But my dad highjacked the microphone before anyone else had a chance.”Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, smiling like a politician. “Today, we celebrate Jenna’s incredible achievement. But let’s not forget the sacrifices that made this possible. I mean, my sacrifices.”A man on a stage using the microphone | Source: GeminiHe went on to list all the ways he’d supposedly helped me. He said he had coached me while I wrote my college applications. No. He even said he dipped into his retirement fund for my tuition. Again, I paid for EVERY SINGLE THING I NEEDED.Then, he went back in time and said he had been the kind of father to tutor me in math “patiently” and taught me how to ride a bike. I admit it was an astonishing performance, and most of my family bought it.A woman at a party looking upset | Source: GeminiBut I’d had enough. I couldn’t let him keep this lie going for the rest of our lives. Dad finally let go of the microphone and the music came back on. But I stopped it. It was my turn to say something. I placed a USB in the projector and grabbed the mic.”Hey, everyone!” I started. “Thank you all for coming to this party. Thank you, Grandma, for doing this for me, but it’s time to clear up something.” A girl on a stage holding a microphone and a remote | Source: GeminiMy voice was calm, but inside, I was boiling. I grabbed the projector remote and clicked a button. A slideshow appeared on the screen. It was something I had prepared but hadn’t decided to use until my father’s lies got worse and more dramatic.The first slide was a picture of me in my diner uniform. “This,” I said, pointing, “is how I REALLY paid for college.” Immediate “ohs” and “no ways” came from my relatives. Shocked people at an elegant party | Source: GeminiBut I didn’t stop. Slide after slide, I showed my late-night shifts, bank statements, my college pay stubs, and the student loan statement that made my stomach churn every time I saw it. “Not a single penny of my education came from my father,” I said, locking eyes with the shameless man who was now red-faced in the middle of the crowd. “Sorry for this, but I couldn’t let the lies live on. Thank you for coming. Enjoy the party!”A woman looking upset | Source: GeminiThe room was silent as I stepped off the mini-stage until my Grandma started clapping. Soon, everyone joined in. Except my dad, of course. He stormed out, furious. The thing was… I wasn’t afraid of him anymore.After the party, things were…complicated. My family rallied around me, especially Grandma, Uncle Joe, Aunt Florence, and Fred, who showered me with support, and apologies for not seeing through Dad’s lies sooner and calling him out. A man hugging a woman | Source: GeminiSurprisingly, the man in question called me a few days later. I was expecting a big blowout on the phone, and I prepared to finally give him one back. But his voice was quiet and sad.”Jenna, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I lied,” he said, breathing heavily. “I think when you left, I realized how royally I’d messed up our relationship. I wanted to feel like other proud dads, and instead of doing something to become one, I lied. Is there any way we can start over?”A man on the phone | Source: GeminiMy mouth did its best impersonation of a fish out of water, even though he couldn’t see me. My shock was so big that I agreed to give him a chance.I didn’t forgive him right away, though. But I could tell he was trying to be that proud dad he had mentioned on the phone. He even offered to help pay down my loans, no strings attached. A man trying to give money to a woman | Source: GeminiI declined, but the thought was nice.Years later, I gave birth to my first child, a little girl who’ll never know what it’s like to feel unsupported or pressured to the point of fear. When Dad visited me in the hospital, he handed me a small box. Inside was a locket with her birthstone. “For my granddaughter,” he said simply. And after, he acted like the best grandpa in the world. A locket in a gift box | Source: GeminiOur father-daughter relationship will always be a little frosty, even after I forgave him. But I’m glad my daughter gets to have this changed man in her life. We can’t rewrite the past, but the future can be bright and joyful if we learn from our mistakes.A woman using the computer with a grandfather and baby blurred in the background | Source: GeminiHere’s another story: I’ll never forget the night my father missed my birthday dinner. Not because it was some grand affair, but because of what he chose to do instead. It was like watching the last thread of our bond snap and realizing he didn’t even notice.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.

When my daughter Amelia raved about her new boyfriend, Jason, I couldn’t wait to meet him. But by the time Thanksgiving dinner was over, I wasn’t just disappointed… I was terrified.I’m Evelyn, a 55-year-old surgeon, wife, and mother of four. My youngest, Amelia, has always been a dreamer. She’s beautiful, smart, and kind, but her love life has been… rocky, to say the least. A woman thinking hard | Source: GeminiComing from a successful and wealthy family invites gold diggers and people who want to use her for connections. They’ll trick a young and love-struck young woman into anything. Luckily, Amelia was wise enough to eventually notice her mistakes.So, when she started gushing about her new boyfriend, Jason, whom she described as a tall, handsome surgeon who made her feel “seen” and “special,” I was cautiously optimistic. Maybe this one would be different.A beautiful young woman | Source: GeminiPeter, my husband, and I decided to host Thanksgiving dinner for them. It felt like the perfect opportunity to finally meet Jason and see what all the fuss was about. I wanted the evening to be flawless, so I spent all day cooking and decorating. The house smelled of roasted turkey, sage stuffing, and pumpkin pie. A Thanksgiving dinner table | Source: GeminiA fire crackled in the hearth and the dining table was set with polished silverware and my best china. I even put out the wine glasses Peter insists we save for “special occasions.”When the doorbell rang, my heart skipped a beat. I smoothed my apron and opened the door to see Amelia standing there, beaming. Beside her stood Jason, every bit as charming and polished as she’d described.A couple standing on a porch | Source: Gemini”Mom, Dad, this is Jason,” Amelia said, smiling widely.”Jason, so nice to meet you,” Peter said warmly, extending his hand.Jason’s smile was wide and confident, but as his eyes met mine, my blood ran cold. I knew him.It was as if the room tilted. He looked older, sure, but that face, especially that smirk, made all the memories come rushing back. Jason shook Peter’s hand, then turned to me with a calm expression.A man extending his hand for a handshake | Source: Gemini”Thank you for having me, Peter, Evelyn,” he said to us smoothly.I felt my stomach churn but managed to nod. “Of course. Welcome.” What else could I say?They came inside, and we sat at the table, but honestly, I was having a hard time concentrating. I was trying to focus on keeping my hands steady as I poured wine and served dinner. People enjoying Thanksgiving dinner | Source: GeminiJason was charismatic like he’d always been. He complimented Amelia, told funny stories, and even managed to impress Peter with his knowledge of obscure wines. But he once glanced at me, and there it was: a knowing look. That’s when I realized he not only recognized me. It was likely that he’d sought Amelia out purposefully. But why? I had no idea. I thought everything from the past had ended as well as it could, considering.A man at a dining table smirking | Source: GeminiEven worse, he was enjoying my discomfort. Halfway through dinner, Jason said something that made my heart pound. It was subtle, just a passing comment as he reached for the cranberry sauce. “I’ve always appreciated attention to detail. It’s something I learned early on in my career.”I froze, my fork hovering mid-air. He smiled, innocent as ever, and Amelia didn’t seem to notice. But I knew. He was toying with me.An older woman looks scared while sitting at dining table for Thanksgiving | Source: GeminiThe next day, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number.”Such a coincidence, huh?”My hands shook as I read it. I knew exactly who it was. Over the next week, Jason’s messages became more brazen. He sent old photos of us, grainy because phones had lower-res cameras, but they were still unmistakable. Soon, his texts became thinly veiled threats. “You owe me,” one read. “Get me my job back, or I tell Amelia everything,” another said.A phone with a message | Source: GeminiI felt trapped because… I had an affair with him.Ten years ago, during a separation from Peter, I’d made the worst mistake of my life. Jason had been an intern at my hospital. I was vulnerable, lonely, and stupid.We had a passionate romance. It was brief, and it ended as soon as I discovered his true colors. You see, Jason was the kind of man willing to falsify a patient’s consent form to get ahead. A doctor writing on some papers | Source: GeminiHe did so to get into an incredible surgery above other interns. But I discovered his actions before the operation took place. The patient got to consent and sign a new form, and I kept Jason far from that O.R.But because of our relationship, he thought I would cover for him, which I did technically. But I had to fire him in the process. I did him a favor by not reporting this to higher-ups and ensured he had a future in medicine still, just elsewhere.A surgeon looking worried in a hospital | Source: GeminiEventually, Peter and I reconciled, and I forgot all about Jason. I hoped he would learn and never do something like that again. But I had a feeling he hadn’t. Now, he was back, dating my daughter and threatening my family.After days of agonizing over this, I asked Amelia to come over. Peter was away playing golf, so my daughter and I sat in the living room. She could tell something was wrong immediately. “Mom, what’s going on?” she asked, frowning.A woman on a sofa, worried | Source: GeminiI took a deep breath. “Darling girl, I need to tell you something about Jason. Something you won’t want to hear, but you deserve to know.”For the next hour, I laid it all out: the separation, our tryst, Jason’s unethical behavior, and the blackmail. She sat stiffly, and her jaw only dropped more as I kept speaking. When I finished, there was a long, heavy silence.”How could you not tell me this sooner?” she finally said. “Does Dad know? And why didn’t you report Jason back then?”A woman, angry | Source: Gemini”Okay, first, I was ashamed of myself. Of my weakness. Second, your dad knows I had a relationship. He had some, too, during that time. But he doesn’t know it was Jason. And finally, I thought I was protecting everyone by not reporting him. I thought I was giving him a chance to be better and become a good doctor,” I sighed. “But I see now I was wrong.”Amelia stood and rumpled her hair as she paced the room. “I don’t know how to deal with this. I thought he was the one.”A sad woman in a living room | Source: GeminiTears sprung from my eyes. “I know,” I said through trembling lips.”I need some time to process this,” Amelia finally nodded and grabbed her things. “I’ll call you later.”For the next few days, I didn’t let go of my phone. My hands even cramped, but finally, Amelia texted me: “I’m meeting Jason at a café tomorrow. I’m stopping this for good!”A phone with a text | Source: GeminiI smiled and breathed in relief. But soon, my mind started swirling with everything I had to do if we were going to truly stop Jason’s blackmail, and I acted as quickly as possible. I also told Peter. It was a tough conversation, but he understood, as that period in our lives had been so difficult.With my conscience clean, I tagged along to the café the next day. And just for good measure, I decided to sit at a nearby table while wearing a hat and oversized coat. A woman with a hat and coat, hiding herself in a coffee shop | Source: GeminiJason arrived with his confident smile just minutes after we did. And Amelia didn’t even give him time to sit down. “Jason, I know everything,” she said firmly.Jason plopped down and raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise. “Everything? About what?””My mom. The blackmail. The affair. All of it.”For a moment, he looked stunned, but then his mask slipped. “So, she told you her version, huh?” he sneered. “Did she mention how she ruined my career?”A man at a coffee shop with arms crossed | Source: GeminiAmelia’s eyes turned to slits. “I don’t think so. It was your actions.”Jason hit the table harshly and his voice turned deadly. “I did what I had to do to get ahead. This field isn’t for the weak, and your mother decided to play judge and jury. She owes me.””As far as I understand, she gave you a chance, which she didn’t have to do,” Amelia said, crossing her arms. “I don’t know what you’ve done since, but you must have wasted that chance since you’re back here, trying to blackmail her.”An angry woman at a coffee shop | Source: Gemini”I didn’t do anything,” Jason spat, leaning across the table. “Everyone else was just as uptight as your mother. Taking an idea from someone else isn’t a crime. Prescribing myself a little something to keep going shouldn’t be either!”My daughter scoffed, shaking her head, as she rose from the table. “We’re done, Jason. You’re pathetic.”A woman standing from a coffee shop table | Source: GeminiJason jumped to his feet, too. “Oh, no. We’re not. You might know about our affair, but I bet her husband doesn’t. Also, she covered up what I did, and she had a relationship with an intern. If she doesn’t get me a job or the money I asked for, I’ll expose her to the world!””I would, and your precious, fancy family will lose everything!”It was finally time for me to intervene. I stood and revealed myself, leveling Jason with a look. “You won’t do that, Jason,” I began.A woman looking smug | Source: GeminiHis eyes widened. “You—””You can’t blackmail my family anymore,” I said. “Yesterday, I confessed my cover-up to the hospital board and our relationship. They forgave me with barely a slap on the wrist. I told Peter everything, too. You’re done.”His face twisted, and he moved towards me.But I held up my phone. “And just in case, I recorded everything you said, and the camera is still going. It’ll be interesting to call other hospitals you worked at and get to the details of the transgressions you just mentioned.”A woman smiling with her phone up | Source: GeminiHis whole body flinched back, and his eyes began twitching as if he were thinking about something else he could hold against me. But there was nothing. He turned his hateful eyes to my daughter for one moment before storming off. That night, back at home, Amelia, Peter, and I sat together and laughed. We were having a nice dinner/celebration of our victory that day.”You did the right thing,” Peter said, squeezing my hand.”Mom, you were brilliant,” Amelia said, smiling. A woman laughing at dinner | Source: GeminiBut I wasn’t stupid. I knew or suspected that Jason might try to do something. He may even resort to violence. So, we filed a police report just in case, citing the phone texts and the harassment. So far, we haven’t heard a thing from him, and I don’t expect it.Amelia has been sad about being unable to find a good man, but it’ll happen when she least expects it. In the meantime, we’re just happy that we protected our family again.A mother and daughter at the beach looking thoughtful | Source: GeminiHere’s another story: When Jake insists on cooking Thanksgiving turkey for the first time, Jen is skeptical but supportive until the result is a culinary disaster no one at the table can ignore. But the real shock comes when she discovers the recipe isn’t Jake’s. As tensions simmer and doubts creep in, she’s forced to confront the cracks in their marriage. This Thanksgiving, the turkey isn’t the only thing leaving a bad aftertaste.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.