I thought I was just doing my neighbor a favor by interrupting her dinner, but as I watched from the window, everything changed. What I saw that night wasn’t just a family squabble — it was a betrayal that would destroy everything she thought she knew.
You know how people say time flies when you’re not paying attention? That’s exactly how the last five years of my life have felt since I moved into this quiet neighborhood. After my messy divorce, I needed a place where I could just be, somewhere I could settle into my own company.
A woman standing on the front porch of her house | Source: Midjourney
I wasn’t expecting to make close friends, but then Hazel moved in next door with her husband, Sebastian, and things changed. We hit it off almost instantly. She was one of those rare people who made you feel seen and understood — like you could tell her anything.
Our friendship grew quickly, from casual chats over the fence to morning coffee sessions in our kitchens. Sebastian was always there in the background, the kind of guy who never caused any drama. Their marriage seemed perfect, at least on the surface.
A loving couple | Source: Unsplash
But lately, Hazel wasn’t herself. She’d been more on edge, throwing out cryptic comments about how things were “getting weird” at home, especially with her mother-in-law, Donna.
Hazel said Donna was stirring up drama behind the scenes, spreading lies about her, and making life unnecessarily hard. At first, I thought she was exaggerating. I mean, how bad could it really be, right? I’d met Donna a few times; she seemed like your typical overbearing MIL, but nothing out of the ordinary.
A smiling middle-aged woman | Source: Midjourney
Then, yesterday, Hazel called me with this strange request. She asked me, out of the blue, to interrupt their family dinner.
“Seven sharp,” she said. No other details, just this urgency in her voice that made me agree without pushing her for more.
I figured maybe she was just trying to escape another awkward family moment. But what happened next… well, let’s just say I wasn’t ready for it.
So, there I was, at 7 p.m., standing at Hazel’s door. I knocked twice before Sebastian answered with his usual warm smile.
A man smiles warmly while standing at the door | Source: Midjourney
“Addison! What a surprise. Come in,” he said, stepping aside to let me in. But before I could even respond, Hazel came rushing into the hallway, practically shoving past him. Her hand grabbed mine in a tight grip, and I barely had time to process it before she dragged me outside again.
“Hazel,” I whispered urgently, “forget about Donna for a second. Look over there…”
“Hazel, what’s going on?” I asked, my heart racing as she led me across the yard and into my own house. “Why did you just pull me out of there? You need to explain what’s happening.”
A surprised woman standing outside a house | Source: Midjourney
“Just… come with me,” Hazel said, her voice low and trembling. “You’ll see in a second, I promise. We’ve got the perfect view from your upstairs window.”
I followed her, still confused but too curious to refuse. She led me up the stairs and into the guest room, pushing open the door.
We both crouched by the window that overlooked her dining room. The view was perfect, just like she said. I could see straight into her kitchen where Sebastian and Donna were finishing up dinner preparations.
A person in a white dress shirt holding a white ceramic plate with food | Source: Pexels
“What are we doing here, Hazel?” I whispered, my breath shallow. I was nervous, and I didn’t even know why yet.
She didn’t answer. Instead, she pointed toward her MIL. That’s when I saw Donna hovering over the food, glancing around as if she were trying to make sure no one was watching. I leaned closer, my eyes narrowing. Was she sprinkling something into the food?
I turned to Hazel, my mind spinning. “Is she… Is she poisoning the food?” My voice came out in a horrified whisper.
A woman is horrified while looking out the window of her room | Source: Midjourney
Hazel shook her head. “Not poison, but close enough. She’s been sabotaging me for months, Addison. She adds too much salt, burns things on purpose, then sits back and watches as everyone complains about how terrible my cooking is.”
My jaw dropped. “She’s been doing that on purpose? Why?”
“I don’t know,” Hazel admitted, her voice thick with frustration. “She wants to make me look incompetent in front of Sebastian. Every time something goes wrong, it’s like she gets this twisted satisfaction out of it.”
A woman looks frustrated and worried | Source: Midjourney
I was about to say something when a movement from the corner of my eye made my stomach flip. I froze, my eyes widening.
“Hazel,” I whispered urgently, “forget about Donna for a second. Look over there…”
My heart sank as I stared down from the window, barely able to believe what I was seeing. There, just inches apart, were Sebastian and Hazel’s sister, Zoey. His hand brushed against her arm, lingering for far too long. Then, it happened. They kissed. And it wasn’t some accidental, fleeting peck either; it was long, slow, and intentional.
A couple kissing | Source: Midjourney
My stomach twisted. This wasn’t just some misunderstanding. It was betrayal — raw and real. Hazel had been worried about her mother-in-law, Donna, but this? This was something else entirely.
Beside me, Hazel froze, her face draining of color as she processed what was unfolding right in front of her. Her body trembled as if she could barely keep herself together.
“No… no way,” she whispered, her voice shaking, barely above a breath. “Not my sister.”
An angry woman | Source: Midjourney
I reached for her hand, but she pulled away, her eyes fixed on the scene below. The fury bubbling inside her was almost tangible. I didn’t dare speak.
“This,” she said, her voice barely controlled, “this ends tonight.” Her eyes snapped to me, a fierce determination replacing the initial shock. “I’m not letting this slide. Not any of it.”
She yanked her phone out of her pocket, her fingers trembling as she began to snap photos of the scene: her mother-in-law sneaking around the kitchen and her husband cozying up to Zoey.
An angry woman taking photos of someone with her smartphone | Source: Midjourney
“Hazel, are you sure?” I asked, though I knew it was a pointless question. She was way past SURE.
“Absolutely,” she said, the edge in her voice sharpening. “I’ve put up with too much for too long. They all think I’m blind, that I don’t notice what’s going on around me. Well, tonight, they’re going to learn.”
Without missing a beat, she dialed my number and handed me the phone. “Stay on the line. You’re going to record everything.”
A closeup of a woman holding a smartphone | Source: Pexels
Before I could respond, Hazel stormed downstairs. I watched, my pulse racing, the phone pressed tightly to my ear. Her footsteps were deliberate, each one echoing in the now quiet house.
Sebastian and Zoey froze as she entered the room. Sebastian pulled back from Zoey like a guilty teenager caught sneaking out after curfew, his face turning several shades paler.
“Hazel?” he stammered. “What are you doing here?”
A man forces a fake smile to hide his nervousness | Source: Midjourney
Hazel’s voice was cold, every word coated in controlled anger. “What am I doing here? No, Sebastian. The better question is, what are YOU doing?”
Zoey’s eyes widened, panic flashing across her face. She opened her mouth, probably to start spewing excuses, but Hazel cut her off.
“Zoey, don’t even try it,” Hazel snapped, her voice trembling with a mixture of rage and heartbreak. “You know exactly what I saw.”
“It’s not what it looks like!” Zoey blurted out, taking a step back, her hands shaking as she held them up defensively. “Hazel, I swear, it’s not what you think!”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
“Not what it looks like?” Hazel laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “Do you think I’m stupid? I saw it all. Addison saw it all. And before you even think about lying again, you should know—I recorded the whole thing.”
Sebastian’s face turned ghostly white. “Hazel, wait,” he started, stumbling over his words. “It’s… complicated.”
An extremely shocked man | Source: Midjourney
“Complicated?” Hazel’s voice cracked. “You want to talk about complicated? Fine. How about this: your mom’s been tampering with our food for months, making me look like a fool in front of you, in front of your entire family. And now, I walk in here and find you making out with my sister?”
Sebastian opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Just then, Donna rushed in from the kitchen, her face pale, her hands trembling. She must’ve realized she’d been caught too.
“Hazel, dear,” Donna began, her voice shaky, “it’s not what you—”
A middle-aged woman tries to explain herself while talking to someone | Source: Midjourney
Hazel didn’t even look at her. “Don’t,” she warned, her voice low and deadly. “Just don’t. I know exactly what you’ve been doing. Sabotaging my meals, spreading lies about me! What, did you think I wouldn’t figure it out? You’ve been doing this for months.”
Donna’s mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, but Hazel wasn’t done. “I should’ve known you were in on this too. Trying to make me look like I can’t even manage a meal. What’s the plan, huh? Kick me out of here so Sebastian and Zoey can play house?”
A silhouette of a couple looking at each other | Source: Pexels
“No!” Sebastian blurted out, his hands reaching out as if he could somehow physically stop what was happening. “It’s not like that—Hazel, please, just let me explain.”
But Hazel’s eyes were cold now, with no hint of the woman who had once adored him. “Explain? There’s nothing left to explain. You and I? We’re done.”
Sebastian’s face crumpled. “What do you mean, done?”
A man appears taken aback | Source: Midjourney
Hazel looked him square in the eyes. “I’m filing for divorce. And Zoey?” She turned to her sister, whose tear-streaked face showed nothing but regret. “You are dead to me.”
“Hazel, please,” Zoey begged, her voice breaking, “it wasn’t serious! It just… happened.”
“Just happened?” Hazel’s voice trembled. “You’re my sister. You’re supposed to have my back. But instead, you’re here—throwing yourself at my husband?” Her face hardened, and she let out a deep breath. “I’m done with both of you.”
A woman looks angry and disappointed | Source: Midjourney
The room went silent, the weight of Hazel’s words sinking in. Sebastian looked like he wanted to argue, but he must’ve realized there was no point.
As I listened from the other end of the line, my heart ached for Hazel. The betrayal she had uncovered in a single night was almost unbearable. But there she was, standing tall, reclaiming her strength.
Hazel turned on her heel, leaving them both in stunned silence. She didn’t look back.
That night, Hazel’s house remained quiet and dark, but I knew her world had changed forever.
A thoughtful woman | Source: Midjourney
She had taken her power back — but the cost was heavy. And as her friend, all I could do was be there for her, to help her pick up the pieces of a life torn apart by betrayal.
If this story moved you, take a look at another captivating tale: When Ross and Riley buy their first home together, they are over the moon at the price they were given. But on moving-in day, the young couple are welcomed by a neighbor who brings more than a pecan pie. Instead, she brings rumors and fears about their new home.
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.
My Colleague Suggested We Buy a Joint $2,000 Gift for Our Boss and Now Refuses to Pay Her Share
Rachel reluctantly agrees to buy a $2,000 watch for their boss after her colleague Emily promises to split the cost. But when Emily refuses to pay her share, Rachel is left struggling with the unexpected financial burden. Determined to teach Emily a lesson, Rachel devises a clever plan to expose her deceit. But will she succeed in bringing Emily’s dishonesty to light?
“That’s a lot of money, Emily,” I sighed, stirring my coffee slowly.
A person stirring coffee | Source: Pexels
“Oh, come on, Rachel,” she said, sitting across from me. “Think about it! A $1,600 watch for Mr. Johnson’s birthday would show our dedication. Plus, I’m sure he’ll love the customized engraving. Oh, and with that, the total would be $2,000.”
I took a sip of my coffee, trying to buy some time. “It’s just… that’s a huge expense. Are you sure about this?” I asked.
A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels
“Absolutely!” she replied, nodding eagerly. “Trust me, Rachel. It will be perfect. And don’t worry about the cost. We’ll split it, and I promise to pay my half as soon as possible.”
I felt a knot forming in my stomach. I liked Emily, despite her reputation for sucking up to management. She’s always the one staying late, bringing coffee, and organizing events. But this whole watch idea seemed too much, even for her.
A man wearing a watch | Source: Unsplash
“Emily, I don’t know. I have bills to pay, and $2,000 is a lot for me right now,” I said, hoping she’d understand.
“Rachel, this is an investment in our future here,” she insisted, trying to convince me. “Imagine the impression we’ll make! Mr. Johnson will remember this forever, and it could really boost our standing in the company.”
A smiling woman chatting with her colleague | Source: Pexels
I sighed again. Emily always had a way of making things sound so simple and beneficial.
“Alright,” I said reluctantly, finally giving in. “Let’s get the watch. But please don’t forget what you’ve promised.”
“Of course, Rachel,” she said. “He’ll love the gift!”
A man in a suit with his arms folded | Source: Pexels
Soon, Mr. Johnson’s birthday arrived.
Emily had everything meticulously planned.
She walked into his office first, and I followed, holding my breath.
A man holding a pen and pointing at a monitor | Source: Pexels
“Mr. Johnson!” she exclaimed, standing beside his desk. “We have a special surprise for you!”
Mr. Johnson looked up from his paperwork, clearly curious.
Emily handed him the elegantly wrapped box, her eyes shining with pride. “This was our idea,” she said, “but I really pushed for it because I knew it was perfect for you.”
A person holding a gift in their hands | Source: Unsplash
I stood there, smiling awkwardly. Emily opened the box to reveal the watch, and Mr. Johnson’s eyes widened in surprise.
“This is incredible. You really didn’t need to!” he said, examining the watch. “Thank you so much. This is really thoughtful.”
A watch on a man’s wrist | Source: Unsplash
Emily beamed, soaking in his praise. I forced a smile, feeling a pang of regret. I had hoped this gift would be a gesture of teamwork, but it quickly became Emily’s solo performance.
She kept talking about how she had put extra effort into getting the gift for him, which made me realize I had spent a thousand dollars for nothing more than a front-row seat to Emily’s self-promotion.
A young woman talking to an older man | Source: Midjourney
“This is wonderful, Emily. Thank you again,” Mr. Johnson said.
Emily turned to me with a triumphant grin. “See, Rachel? I told you he’d love it.”
I managed a weak smile. “Yeah, he really does,” I said.
A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney
A week passed, but I didn’t hear anything from Emily about her share.
One day, I found her in the break room, chatting away with another colleague. I waited until she was alone before approaching her.
“Hey, Emily,” I started calmly. “I… I just wanted to remind you about your share of the cost of Mr. Johnson’s watch. I have some expenses, and I really need that money right now.”
Two women chatting at workplace | Source: Freepik
Emily looked up at me with a condescending smile. “Oh, sweetie, I thought you were just helping out. I never intended to pay. Besides, you earn more than I do, don’t you? Consider it a charitable act.”
“WHAT?” I stared at her, stunned. “What do you mean? You… weren’t you supposed to pay your share?”
A smiling woman talking to her co-worker | Source: Freepik
“Look, life isn’t fair, Rachel,” she shrugged. “You wanted to make a good impression, and we did. Didn’t you see how happy Mr. Johnson was? Isn’t that worth it?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Her selfishness was astounding. “That’s not the point, Emily,” I said, my voice rising. “You promised to pay your half!”
A stern-looking woman | Source: Pexels
She laughed. “Oh, Rachel, you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Let it go,” she said and walked away.
I stared at her, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. Clearly, she had no intention of paying and didn’t care about the impact on me.
So I made up my mind. It was time for some payback.
A confident woman | Source: Pexels
Two days later, I looked into Emily’s schedule and discovered she had a big presentation for the upcoming quarterly meeting. This was crucial for her, and I saw an opportunity.
I began subtly mentioning to a few trusted colleagues that Emily might need ‘help’ with her presentation.
A woman giving a presentation | Source: Pexels
Word spread quickly, and soon everyone offered her ‘suggestions’ and ‘feedback.’ The result? The conflicting advice overwhelmed her, and I could see her becoming more stressed. She did manage to give the presentation, but it was a huge mess.
I wasn’t done yet, though.
A sad-looking young woman | Source: Midjourney
One day, while having lunch in the break room, I overheard Emily bragging about a meeting with a potential big client. She sat at the table, surrounded by a few colleagues, her voice full of confidence.
“This client is huge,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “If I close this deal, I’m sure to get a promotion. Mr. Johnson will be so impressed.”
Co-workers around a table | Source: Pexels
I listened quietly, my mind already plotting. After lunch, I returned to my desk and found the client’s contact information.
I crafted an anonymous email, attaching screenshots of Emily’s rude social media comments.
A person using their laptop | Source: Unsplash
“I felt it was important to inform you about some unethical behavior by Ms. Richards who is scheduled to meet with you,” I wrote in the mail to the client. “Please see the attached screenshots of her social media posts, which include rude and unprofessional comments.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Individual.”
A Gmail screen | Source: Unsplash
A few days later, Emily’s face was pale as she entered the office.
“The client canceled the meeting,” she told a colleague. “They said it was due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ I don’t know what went wrong!”
A stressed woman | Source: Pexels
“I’m sorry to hear that, Emily,” the colleague replied. “That must be tough.”
Emily sighed and walked away, clearly distressed. Only I knew how hard it was to contain my laugh. But even after going through so much, Emily wouldn’t mend her ways.
A laughing woman at workplace | Source: Unsplash
She started spreading rumors that she had single-handedly bought the watch for Mr. Johnson. Had she guessed I was behind her canceled meeting and failed presentation? I didn’t know. But I wouldn’t let her succeed.
So, I printed out our email exchange where she promised to pay her half and placed copies on the desks of key people in our department, including HR. The next day, whispers filled the office as people read the emails.
A woman using a printer | Source: Pexels
“Can you believe this?” one colleague said, showing the email to another. “Emily promised to pay her half for the watch.”
“Unbelievable,” the other replied. “She’s been taking all the credit.”
Emily’s popularity plummeted, and she looked more stressed than ever. I decided to take it one step further.
A stressed woman at work | Source: Pexels
Creating a fake online persona as a headhunter from a prestigious company, I sent Emily a message.
“To: emily.r@gmail.com
Subject: Exciting Job Opportunity
Dear Ms. Richards,” I typed.
A person typing on their laptop | Source: Unsplash
“We have been following your impressive work and would love to discuss a potential job opportunity with you at our prestigious firm. We believe you would be a perfect fit for our team. Please let us know if you are available for an interview this Thursday at 10 AM.
Best regards,
Linda J.
Executive Recruiter, El.T.Search.”
An excited female employee | Source: Midjourney
Emily’s eyes lit up as she read the email. She ran over to the desk beside me, her excitement barely contained.
“You won’t believe this! I just got an email from a top headhunter. They want to interview me for a high-level position!”
“That’s amazing, Emily!” Stacey, my co-worker, said. “You should definitely go for it.”
A smiling woman chatting with her co-worker | Source: Freepik
Emily called in sick on the day of the fake interview, completely convinced it was real. She dressed in her best business attire and left the house early to be there on time.
The next day, she returned to the office and I overheard her talking to Stacey. “There was no interview,” she said sadly. “I showed up, and no one knew who I was.”
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
“That’s so strange, Emily. Maybe it was some sort of mistake?”
Emily nodded slowly, still in shock. “Maybe…”
Hardly had she finished talking when Mr. Johnson approached her.
“Emily, we need to talk. Please come into my office,” he said sternly.
A serious-looking man in a suit | Source: Pexels
Emily’s confidence visibly shook. She followed him, her face pale. I stayed at my desk, straining to hear the conversation from behind my computer.
“Emily, I’ve received some concerning information,” Mr. Johnson began, his tone firm. “Can you explain why our client canceled their meeting with you?”
An older man in professional attire | Source: Midjourney
“I-I don’t know, sir. They said it was due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow. “Unforeseen circumstances? Or could it be because they received an email with screenshots of your unprofessional social media comments?”
A female employee talking to her boss | Source: Midjourney
Emily gasped. “What? No, I… I didn’t think… I mean, those were private posts!” she gasped, staring at a tablet screen. Maybe Mr. Johnson was showing her the mail.
“They may have been, but they reflect poorly on you and this company,” Mr. Johnson said sharply. “And there’s more. I’ve been hearing rumors that you claimed to have bought the watch for me single-handedly. Is that true?”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
Emily’s face turned pale. Her silence said it was true.
“Emily, this behavior is unacceptable. You’ve been manipulating situations and lying to your colleagues. This ends now. You are being demoted, effective immediately. One more misstep and you will be terminated!” Mr. Johnson declared.
A box labelled “FIRED” | Source: Pexels
Emily emerged from the office, looking defeated. That same day, in a team meeting, Mr. Johnson took off the expensive watch and held it up for everyone to see.
“This gift was meant to symbolize teamwork and appreciation,” he began, “but given the circumstances, I think it’s only fair to return it.”
A happy boss and employee | Source: Midjourney
He then walked over to me and handed me the watch. “I believe this was more of your contribution. Please, you keep it,” he said.
Emily turned beet red as everyone watched. Her scheme had backfired spectacularly, and my efforts to expose her had paid off.
And that was how I got my ultimate petty revenge on a two-faced colleague.
A smiling woman | Source: Unsplash
What would you have done?
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