After Brendan, my husband, and I decided to split, he turned into a completely different person overnight. The man I once knew, the one I shared years of my life with, had vanished altogether.
In his place stood someone bitter and spiteful.
A couple arguing | Source: Midjourney
“You’re complaining about how I behave? About how I speak?” Brendan shouted.
“I’m just saying that you need to calm down when you’re talking to me. Screaming won’t make your point come across better,” I said, holding my head.
“Oh, please, Gina,” he bellowed louder. “You made me this way! All of your ridiculous demands and constant whining. Please, just go live your life.”
An angry man | Source: Midjourney
And so I did.
But as the divorce was in process, Brendan and I tried to sort out our things, ready to make a clean break.
“Just let me pack these things up, Gina,” Brendan said one day as he was going through my bookshelf.
“You’ll just take my things with you,” I countered. “I have to settle my own things first.”
“Suit yourself,” he said.
An angry woman standing in front of a bookshelf | Source: Midjourney
But things only got uglier. And the emotional rollercoaster had me in a constant state of nausea and uneasiness. So, I decided that I would spend the weekend at my parents’ house to clear my head.
“Yeah, run away to your parents,” Brendan said snidely as I packed an overnight bag.
“They’re better than you,” I said, walking out the door.
An angry woman standing in a doorway | Source: Midjourney
And honestly? It was the right call. I needed space to process everything, including the fact that I was going to be alone for the first time in twelve years. As much as Brendan and I needed to be apart, I couldn’t see my future clearly.
I also just wanted my parents to baby me for the weekend.
“Oh, Gina,” my mother said as she took out a tray of delicious roast lamb. “All you need to do is eat and rest. Whatever you want to eat, just tell me and I’ll make it. And if you want anything from the store, just tell Dad. He’ll do a quick run for you.”
A tray of food | Source: Midjourney
I exhaled slowly. I was exactly where I needed to be.
“Are you sure a divorce is the way to go?” my father asked me over dinner.
“Yes,” I said sadly. “I think that if there was a time to reconcile, it was a long time ago. And we definitely missed it. Brendan and I can’t see eye-to-eye anymore. I don’t think that there’s any more love left.”
A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney
“You do what you need to do, baby,” my mother said. “If your mental health is screaming for a clean break, then that’s exactly what you need to do.”
I allowed myself to take long walks, taking Pippy, my parents’ dog, with me. I just wanted to clear my head and allow myself the space I needed to breathe.
“You’re doing the right thing,” I told myself. “There’s nothing wrong with a fresh start.”
A woman walking a dog | Source: Midjourney
But as I pulled into our driveway on Monday morning, ready to find Brendan and his things gone, I found something even more shocking.
All my furniture, everything that I had collected from before I met Brendan and some things while we were together, was scattered all over the lawn. A large, hand-painted sign that read “Free Stuff!” stood proudly in front of the chaos, inviting anyone passing by to help themselves to my belongings.
Furniture scattered on a lawn | Source: Midjourney
“What the actual hell is this?” I muttered, slamming the car door shut.
This just couldn’t be real. I stared at my coffee table, the couch I found at a flea market, and even my grandmother’s old rocking chair. All of it, just sitting there, baking in the sun, waiting to be snatched by strangers.
I kicked the sign so that it lay flat. And then I pulled out my phone, my hands shaking wildly as I dialed Brendan. The phone rang three times before he finally picked up.
A woman holding a phone and frowning | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, what’s up, Gina?” he answered, his voice casual, almost smug.
“What’s up?” I echoed. “What’s up?”
“Yeah, that’s what I asked,” he said.
“Are you kidding me? Why is all my furniture on the lawn? Are you absolutely out of your mind?”
There was a pause before he replied.
An annoyed woman | Source: Midjourney
“You were going to sue for all my money anyway,” he said. “I heard you on the phone with someone. I know that you wanted everything. Or at least half of everything! So you might as well know how it feels to lose what’s yours.”
I was speechless.
Sure, I had thought about taking him for a ride and having my share of his money, but the weekend away with my parents taught me to just let it go.
A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney
“You’re absolutely unbelievable,” I finally managed to say. “You think this is going to solve anything? You’re just making things worse for yourself.”
He scoffed loudly.
“Whatever. It’s your problem now. Maybe you should charge people for your things instead of letting them take it for free.”
I wanted to scream, but I knew that it wouldn’t do any good. Brendan had made up his mind, and like any dog with a bone, there was no reasoning with him.
An angry man on the phone | Source: Midjourney
I hung up the phone and looked at objects from my life scattered across the lawn. There was no way that I could haul all the furniture back inside by myself. Defeated and frustrated, I kicked the bedside table that I had gotten and repainted months ago.
As it hit the ground, I heard a jingling noise.
“What now?” I sighed, crouching down to open the drawer.
Hand-painted bedside tables outside | Source: Midjourney
Inside, I found something that made me smirk despite my anger.
“Stupid Brendan,” I said, seeing that he had forgotten to take his things out of the bedside table.
Nestled among the loose change, random pens, and receipts was Brendan’s father’s watch. It was a family heirloom that he loved and cherished and barely wore for fear of losing or breaking it. It had also been passed down through generations, finally landing with Brendan.
A vintage watch | Source: Midjourney
But now, I had it hostage.
“Checkmate,” I said to myself.
I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction as I tucked the watch into my pocket. After all, he was the one who had put it out there for free. I wasn’t stealing anything.
Then, I texted my friend group, asking everyone who was available to come and help me take everything back into the house.
A woman using her phone | Source: Midjourney
“Brendan is the worst, Gina,” my friend, Jenny, said holding a lamp. “This is a new low.”
“Yeah, I agree with you there,” I said. “But don’t worry, I’ve got a way to get back at him.”
I told her all about the watch and how I had it safely tucked away in my car. I knew that it was just a matter of time before Brendan realized that the watch wasn’t with him.
A woman holding a standing lamp | Source: Midjourney
Later that evening, as I was arranging the last of the furniture, my phone buzzed. It was him.
“Hey, Gina,” he said. “I think I might have left something important behind. Can I come by and grab it?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said, grabbing another slice of pizza from the box in front of me.
“Please,” he said. “It’s just the bedside tables.”
A box of pizza | Source: Midjourney
“Look, the neighbors came over and took a few things. The bedside tables are gone, too. But if you’re polite enough, I’m sure Cathy will sell it back to you.”
There was a long pause.
“Gina, it’s my dad’s watch. My granddad’s watch. I really need it back.”
I let the silence stretch out for a moment before saying anything.
“I see. Well, like I said, it’s with Cathy. But I’m sure she’ll be reasonable. You know, for the right price.”
A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney
He knew I was bluffing. I could hear it in his voice. But there was no way that he could prove it, and I wasn’t about to let him off the hook easily. Nope. Brendan needed to fight for it.
“How much?” he asked.
“How much do you think it’s worth?” I asked. “A few hundred dollars, maybe?”
“Fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “Just get it back.”
An upset man | Source: Midjourney
“I’ll do my best, but no promises.”
After hanging up, I held the watch and turned it over in my hands. If we had a son, he would have been handed the watch. But thankfully, we were splitting before we had a chance to think about kids.
The next morning, Brendan showed up while I was sitting on the porch and drinking a cup of coffee.
“Here,” he said, giving me an envelope. “$500. But you know how priceless it is.”
A woman sitting on a porch | Source: Midjourney
I nodded.
“Thanks. You can leave now,” I said.
“I’ll get in touch with you about the divorce. My lawyer has some things to discuss with us.”
“Cool,” I said simply.
Brendan did a double-take, but he took the watch from me and walked away slowly, almost as if he wanted to say something but just couldn’t get the words out.
A man walking down the driveway | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
In-Law Billed Me $695 for Moth Damage after Using My House like a Storage Unit – I Gave Her a Reality Check
For five years, Andy and Sarah had given up their guest bedroom, turning it into a storage room for her parents’ belongings. But once the couple discovered that they were pregnant, they asked the older couple to remove their things, causing unnecessary friction and a surprise reward.
Five years ago, my in-laws just wanted to downsize their house. So, they set out to look for the perfect little house just for the two of them.
“We have too much space and too many things,” my father-in-law, Greg, said.
A cozy living room | Source: Midjourney
So, naturally, they asked if they could store some of their stuff in our house for a while.
“It’s just the things that we want to keep, darling,” Greg told my wife, Sarah.
We both didn’t mind it, and we had a guest room that we didn’t use.
A stack of cardboard boxes | Source: Midjourney
“Sure, Dad,” my wife said. “The guest room is all yours temporarily.”
The key word here is temporarily.
But guess what? They never took their stuff back. Instead, they just kept bringing more.
A growing stack of boxes | Source: Midjourney
For a while, Sarah and I used to joke about the guest room and how it had turned into a storage unit in our own home.
A person using a vacuum cleaner | Source: Midjourney
Read the full story here.
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.
Why Serena Williams Was Denied Entry to a Paris Restaurant—Find Out the Shocking Details
Serena Williams is involved in a controversy after she was denied entry to a restaurant in Paris. This incident has sparked an online debate, with some people saying the tennis star “deserves” this treatment.
This event is part of the eight biggest controversies that have surrounded the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Paris 2024 Olympics have had their share of drama, with several incidents attracting global attention. One of these moments involved Serena Williams being turned away from a restaurant in Paris, leading to a lot of reactions online.
This situation is just one of many high-profile scandals that have affected the Olympic Games. It is among eight controversies that have ignited discussions and taken over headlines around the world.
Source: Getty Images
Serena Williams expressed her frustration on August 5, 2024, after being denied entry to a luxury hotel’s rooftop restaurant in Paris.
The tennis star, who recently served as a torchbearer at the Olympics opening ceremony, posted on X, “Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids. Always a first. #Olympic2024.”
In response to Williams’ complaint, the restaurant apologized for her disappointment. They explained, “Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was fully booked, and the only empty tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved.”
The restaurant highlighted that they have always been pleased to welcome Williams and are ready to do so again in the future.
Many online users sided with the restaurant, saying that Williams should have made a reservation like everyone else. One user remarked, “She deserves the same treatment as anyone else. Quit being a celebrity worshiper.”
Another user agreed, saying, “She deserves the same treatment as the rest of us; maybe next time she’ll book a table.” Some users were more critical, stating, “Don’t apologize to this infantile person! She deserves a Happy Meal, nothing more!”
Others asked Williams sarcastically, “Oh no, they treated you like one of the common folk?! Did you tell them who you are?” Another noted, “Why upset? This is their policy. Equal for everyone.”
One person complained that anyone who defends this behavior is just as entitled, saying, “Imagine if you’re getting surgery in an hour and the best surgeon is told to drop you for someone wealthier—what then?”
Another user told Serena Williams to apologize to the restaurant for her behavior, saying, “So you just expected someone else to lose their seat because you are Serena. Sorry, your privilege card doesn’t work everywhere.”
A user pointed out that Williams was not denied entry since the restaurant was booked. They added that if she lost a table to someone more famous, she would have been upset, too.
“These could have been anniversary dinners or proposals or people saving for a year to eat there—come on. Hurting their revenue is not cool,” explained the user.
Thus, many social media users supported the restaurant, criticizing Williams for not making a reservation and accusing her of entitlement.
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes Criticized for Being ‘Irritating’ in the Stands
Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, usually private, drew attention during their recent visit to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with their rarely-seen kids. Their style and accessories caught the eyes of many online.
On August 4, the couple was seen at the dressage individual Grand Prix freestyle at the Château de Versailles. Gosling wore a plaid red shirt, a white Paris 2024 cap, and dark sunglasses.
Later, the couple attended the women’s uneven bars final at Bercy Stadium with their daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, who wore a yellow dress and a white sweater.
At the stadium, Gosling and Mendes wore the same sunglasses and outfits as before. However, Gosling changed his white cap for a green Olympic hat, while Mendes did not wear any headgear.
Despite their attempts to blend in, their choice of accessories drew criticism. “The sunglasses. Why do ‘celebrities’ do this? It’s especially irritating during interviews,” a critic commented.
“Why are they wearing sunglasses inside?” another questioned. “Was this event outside? If not, they look ridiculous,” one noted. “If you’re trying to be incognito, take your sunglasses off when inside watching gymnastics,” another exclaimed.
Someone criticized Mendes, suggesting she tried to “stand out” and expressed annoyance that “celebrities are the best things.”
While some fans were frustrated, others made jokes about the situation. “Are the sunglasses supposed to keep them incognito? Don’t think it worked,” one remarked, while another said, “The sun must have been blazing inside there in France.”
Additionally, the online community commented on Mendes’ lips. “What’s with her lips?” a user wondered. “Just a little more filler in the lips, Eva,” noted one, while another suggested, “Eva needs to lay off the lip filler.”
Despite the criticisms, some fans defended the couple and expressed their admiration. One declared, “Hottest couple award!” and another said, “So glad for them, cute couple!”
Despite mixed reactions to their Olympic outing with their kids, they seem to be enjoying their time in Paris. The couple is taking in the events, making rare public appearances together, and focusing on family.
Candace Cameron Bure Criticizes Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Mocking Christian Faith
The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony is facing backlash on social media, including criticism from actress Candace Cameron Bure.
She shared her disappointment in an Instagram video, claiming the ceremony mocked Christian beliefs by portraying something similar to Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
In the clip, Bure explained she was hesitant to comment on the opening ceremony to avoid becoming a headline, but the issue was too important to ignore.
Bure mentioned her connection to the Olympics, noting that her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law are all Olympic medalists and love the Games. She fondly recalled watching marathoners during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a child.
Reflecting on this year’s Olympics, she said, “To watch such a wonderful event over the next two weeks and see the opening ceremonies mock the Christian faith was disgusting. It made me sad.”
Bure said someone told her not to feel sad but to focus on being angry instead. She stated, “Trust me, it makes me mad, but I’m sad for souls.”
Bure’s statement came after the Olympic Games explained the opening ceremony’s meaning on X, formerly Twitter. They said, “The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between humans.”
After this clarification, Bure stated that many have tried to “correct” her views. However, she argued that Dionysus was “a god of lust, insanity, and ritual madness.”
Though the real interpretation has been explained, Bure remains unconvinced. “I still don’t see how that relates to uniting the world through competitive sports or is acceptable for children to watch. In any case, I’m not buying it,” she said.
Lady Gaga Announces Engagement – Users Say He ‘Lowers Her Status’ with His Look
Lady Gaga recently got engaged to her longtime love and entrepreneur Michael Polansky! The singer shared this exciting news during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, prompting various reactions from fans and critics.
Gaga revealed her engagement with Polansky at the Paris Olympics. The announcement came during an intimate moment with French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who posted a TikTok video showing Gaga introducing Polansky as “my fiancé.”
After the announcement, fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages. One wrote, “She was awesome, and congratulations on your engagement. You deserve to be happy.”
Another said, “Gaga is engaged,” while a surprised fan exclaimed, “OMG THEY’RE GETTING MARRIED!!?? This is so special I’m so happy and proud.” A longtime observer of Gaga’s love life added, “Oh boy, it’s her 3rd engagement. Hope this is the one.”
However, not all reactions were positive. Critics questioned Polansky’s suitability, with one remarking, “She’s too pretty to be with him .” Another criticized, “You’re so iconic and then have a boyfriend like this?! With no fashion sense—who is she kidding?”
Another skeptic added, “Her boyfriend makes her look really bad and lowers her status. Is she okay?” Amidst the mixed reactions, some fans defended the couple, saying, “There’s something special she sees in him that we don’t.”
Gaga sparked engagement rumors back in April when fans noticed a stunning new diamond ring on her left hand.
This eye-catching ring led to speculation about an engagement, especially since the multi-Grammy winner has been dating Polansky since 2019.
Even as their love blossoms, the couple has faced breakup rumors. In March 2023, reports claimed that Gaga and Polansky had split due to differences over marriage and children.
Despite these claims, a source close to the couple said their split was friendly, and they remained friends. But just when it seemed like their relationship was over, Gaga and Polansky made a public comeback.
Online Users Question Snoop Dogg as 2024 Olympic Torchbearer
American rapper Snoop Dogg surprised many as a torchbearer for the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. While some disapproved of his role, the star shared his view on why he was chosen for the honor.
The 2024 Olympic Games began on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. The event kicked off with over 10,000 athletes gathering on boats on the River Seine for the opening ceremony.
Before the event, it was announced that a well-known hip-hop icon would carry the Olympic torch for its last leg.
Snoop fulfilled his duty by marking the 67th leg of the torch’s journey before the Eiffel Tower. He was joined by other entertainers, including French rapper MC Solaar and French actress Laetitia Casta.
Leave a Reply