While I was on vacation, my wealthy neighbor built a fence on my property, blocking my windows — I gave him the perfect lesson in return

After a week of sun and sand, Catherine was shocked to discover her new neighbor Jeffrey had built an imposing fence on her property. As a single mom, she couldn’t let this slide. What did she do to teach him a lesson he’d never forget?

Life as a single mom isn’t easy, but I’ve been making it work. I’m Catherine, 40 years old, and I’ve been raising my two boys, Liam (10) and Chris (8), all by myself for the past year.

Their father and I parted ways when I caught him cheating with another woman. Well, that’s a story for another time.

About two months ago, I bought a new house and moved in with my kids. It’s in a peaceful neighborhood with a beautiful forest nearby.

Everything about our new neighborhood seemed perfect until I met my next-door neighbor, Jeffrey. We had been at odds since the beginning.

I’ll never forget our first interaction.

It had been a day since we moved in when I heard a knock at my door. I opened it and saw him standing at my doorstep with a folder in his hand.

“Hello there, neighbor!” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Jeffrey. Welcome to the neighborhood!”

I shook his hand.

How nice! I thought. If only I knew what was coming in the days ahead.

“I wanted to discuss something important with you,” he continued, opening his folder.

“The previous owners signed this contract allowing me to build a fence on the property line.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Okay…?”

“So, I’ll be starting construction next week,” he said matter-of-factly.

I was stunned. “Excuse me? You’re not even asking for my permission?”

“Well, I have the contract right here—”

“That contract was with the previous owners,” I interrupted. “I’m the owner now, and I don’t want a fence blocking my view and sunlight.”

That’s when his face turned red.

“But I need this fence for privacy!” he yelled. “I’ve been planning this for months!”

“Why should I care about what the FORMER owner said?” I asked, but I never got a straight answer.

I just saw Jeffrey stomp out of my house.

Since that day, he’s been arguing with me almost every week about this fence. Apparently, he wants to host fancy garden parties without his guests seeing into my yard.

Well, excuse me for existing!

I couldn’t let him build that fence. I didn’t buy this house to stare at wooden planks instead of the beautiful sky and trees.

Little did I know, things were about to get much worse.

A few weeks ago, I decided to take my boys on a much-needed vacation. Liam and Chris were bouncing off the walls with excitement.

“Mom, can we go to the beach?” Liam asked.

Chris chimed in, “Yeah! And can we build a huge sandcastle?”

“Of course, boys!” I said as I hugged them. “We’ll do all that and more!”

We left for a week, looking forward to sun, sand, and relaxation. If only I’d known what was waiting for us when we got back.

As we pulled into our driveway, I noticed something odd. My heart sank as I realized what had happened.

“Boys, stay in the car for a minute,” I said as I got out.

My blood boiled with each step I took toward our house.

As I peeked to the right, I realized what had happened. There, right in front of our windows, stood a tall wooden fence. On our property. One foot from my windows!

“What the hell?!” I shouted, not caring who heard me.

Liam and Chris came running up behind me.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Chris asked in a worried voice.

I took a deep breath. I had to stay calm for their sake. “Nothing, sweetie. Just a little… surprise from our neighbor.”

“But Mom,” Liam said, frowning, “we can’t see the trees anymore.”

My heart broke.

Jeffrey’s stupid fence had replaced the beautiful view from our windows that my boys loved so much. Now, we couldn’t even see the sky!

I couldn’t let this slide. I had to teach Jeffrey a lesson.

I had two options. Either take the legal route and wait for the authorities to take action or take matters into my own hands.

I chose the second one because my boys and I didn’t have enough time to take the legal route.

Later that night, I went to the pet store. I had a plan that I knew would work.

“Can I help you find anything?” the clerk asked.

I smiled sweetly. “Yes, I’m looking for an animal attractant spray. The strongest you have.”

After returning home, I waited until the neighborhood was asleep. Then, I went up to his precious fence and poured an entire bottle of the attractant liquid.

The pheromone scent was strong. It was designed to attract dogs for training purposes. But I had a feeling it might attract more than just dogs.

I did this for several nights in a row, ensuring the solution covered every inch of the fence.

Then, I waited.

It didn’t take long for results to show.

One night, as I was taking out the trash, I saw a stray dog lift its leg against the fence. I had to stifle a laugh.

“Good boy,” I whispered.

Over the next few days, more and more animals started visiting the fence. Foxes, raccoons, even a moose once! They all seemed to think Jeffrey’s fence was the perfect place to do their business.

I watched from my window as Jeffrey discovered the mess one morning. His face turned an impressive shade of purple as he realized what was happening.

But to my surprise, he didn’t take down the fence.

He started cleaning it.

Every morning, Jeffrey would come out with a bucket and scrub brush, muttering under his breath as he cleaned off the nightly deposits.

But no matter how much he cleaned, he couldn’t get rid of the pheromone scent. The animals kept coming back, night after night.

Soon, the smell became unbearable. Even my boys started to notice.

“Mom,” Chris said one day, holding his nose, “it stinks outside!”

Liam nodded in agreement. “Yeah, can we play inside today?”

“I know it smells bad, boys,” I said. “Just give it a few more days, okay?”

They nodded, but I could see they were disappointed. I hoped my plan would work soon.

The next day, I was coming back from a grocery run when I saw one of our other neighbors, Mrs. Thompson, knocking on Jeffrey’s door.

I slowed down, pretending to check my mail as I eavesdropped.

“Jeffrey,” Mrs. Thompson began, “what on earth is that smell coming from your yard? It’s awful!”

Jeffrey seemed so embarrassed.

“I… I’m working on it, Mrs. Thompson. There’s been a bit of an animal problem.”

“Well, work faster!” she snapped. “It’s affecting the whole neighborhood!”

As Mrs. Thompson stormed off, Jeffrey caught my eye. He had this apologetic look on his face that I had never seen before. I smiled at him and quickly walked into my house.

That evening, I watched from my other window as Jeffrey attacked the fence with every cleaning product known to man.

He scrubbed and sprayed for hours, but the smell lingered. Finally, he threw down his brush in defeat and trudged back to his house.

The next morning, I was awakened by a loud noise outside. I peeked through my curtains and had to blink a few times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.

I could see Jeffrey overseeing a team of workers as they took down the fence.

I couldn’t believe my plan had actually worked!

I woke up the boys with the good news. “Liam! Chris! Come look outside!”

They raced to the window, their eyes widening as they saw the fence coming down.

“Mom, we can see the trees again!” Chris exclaimed.

Liam hugged me tight. “You’re the best, Mom!”

And with that, our view was restored, and Jeffrey had learned his lesson. However, the story doesn’t end there.

Later that day, Jeffrey approached me while I was gardening in the front yard.

“Catherine,” he started, clearing his throat, “I, uh… I want to apologize.”

“Oh?” I pretended to act surprised.

He nodded. “I shouldn’t have put up that fence without your permission. It was wrong of me.”

“Yes, it was,” I agreed, crossing my arms.

“I’ve learned my lesson,” he continued. “From now on, I’ll respect your property and your rights as a neighbor.”

“Apology accepted, Jeffrey,” I smiled. “Let’s start over, shall we?”

“I’d like that.”

As Jeffrey walked away, I couldn’t help but feel proud. I had stood up for myself and my boys, and in the end, everything worked out.

That incident taught me that life sometimes puts you in situations where you have to get creative to find a solution, just like I had to come up with a plan to teach Jeffrey a lesson he’ll never forget.

Do you think I did the right thing?

My Future Brother-in-Law Was Always a Pain, but He Went Too Far at Our Wedding and That Was the Last Straw for My Fiancé and Me — Story of the Day

My future brother-in-law was always a problem—rude, arrogant, and always pushing boundaries. But on my wedding day, he crossed a line we could never forgive. He humiliated me in front of everyone, turning my perfect day into a nightmare. That was the last straw, and my fiancé finally had enough.

When Michael and I first started dating, everything felt like a fairy tale. Not the perfect kind, but the kind with unexpected twists.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Yes, I cried on our first date because I was late. I rushed into the restaurant, breathless and embarrassed.

My eyes welled up as I tried to explain—traffic, spilled coffee, a broken shoe. Michael sat there, silent, clearly unsure of what to do.

We made it through dinner, but he didn’t call me for a week. I assumed I had scared him off.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Then we ran into each other at a mutual friend’s party. I explained myself, saying I was just an emotional person. To my surprise, he understood and admitted he was the same.

That party was six years ago, and we had been inseparable ever since. I was no longer crying alone over movies where animals died—Michael cried with me. He was my soulmate, and I knew he felt the same.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Our relationship moved quickly. After just three months, we moved in together, and that’s how we lived for six years.

But somehow, we never got around to planning a wedding. There was always something—either I had a crisis, or Michael did—so we kept postponing it.

Then, eight months ago, Michael proposed. He planned everything so well that I didn’t suspect a thing, making the moment even more special. Not that I needed a proposal to know I wanted to spend my life with him.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But, like with any couple, there was one problem. His family. More specifically—his brother, Jordan.

Jordan was awful. Rude, arrogant, and full of himself. He thought he was better than everyone, including Michael.

He was only three years older but never missed a chance to remind Michael that he was the older brother.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I still remember our first meeting. Michael took me to meet his parents, and since Jordan still lived with them—yes, even as an adult—he was there too. So much for being as “amazing” as he thought he was.

At first, everything seemed fine. We had a polite conversation. But when I stepped away to use the bathroom, Jordan was waiting by the door.

“Bored yet?” Jordan asked, his voice low and smug.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I stiffened. “No, I’m fine,” I replied, keeping my tone polite but firm.

He chuckled. “Come on, let’s go have some fun,” he suggested, stepping closer.

I took a small step back. “No, really, I’m good,” I said cautiously. A strange feeling crept up my spine.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jordan tilted his head. “Oh, come on. My brother doesn’t deserve someone like you.

You’d have a much better time with me,” he said. His voice was smooth, but his eyes held something cold.

Before I could react, he grabbed me by the waist. His hand slid lower, pressing against my backside.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Get off me!” I shouted, shoving him away. My heart pounded as I rushed back to the dining room, my breath shaky.

Michael looked up as I approached. I placed a hand on my stomach, forcing a weak smile. “I don’t feel great. Can we leave?”

Michael stood immediately. “Of course.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His parents looked concerned. “It was so nice to meet you, Danica,” they said as we hugged goodbye.

Once we were in the car, Michael glanced at me. “Are you okay? Did you eat something bad?”

I took a deep breath. “Jordan hit on me,” I said.

Michael’s hands tightened on the wheel. “What? That jerk!” His jaw clenched. “I’m going to talk to him.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Michael did talk to Jordan, but Jordan laughed it off. He claimed he was just “testing me” as Michael’s older brother, as if that excused his behavior. I didn’t believe him for a second, but Michael didn’t push back.

Sometimes, I wondered if he was afraid of Jordan. Growing up, Jordan had bullied and teased him constantly.

He always found ways to make Michael feel small, like he was less than him. Their relationship had never been close, but Michael still tried to keep the peace.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But when Jordan wouldn’t stop, even Michael had to admit it wasn’t a joke anymore.

Then the messages started. Inappropriate texts. Unwanted pictures. Disgusting words. I blocked his number.

When I told Michael I didn’t want Jordan at our wedding, he agreed right away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

One evening, Michael came home looking drained. He sighed and dropped onto the couch beside me, his shoulders heavy with tension.

“What happened?” I asked, noticing the way his shoulders slumped.

He rubbed his face and let out a long breath. “I talked to my parents. They said if Jordan isn’t invited to the wedding, they won’t come either.” His voice was quiet, heavy with frustration.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I felt a sharp sting in my chest. “That’s not fair!” I said, my hands tightening into fists.

“I know,” Michael murmured, staring at the floor.

“The way he treats me is reason enough for me not to want him there. He harassed me, sent disgusting messages. Why does that not matter to them?” My voice wavered.

Michael didn’t answer. He just sat there, looking lost.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I exhaled, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “Fine. We’ll invite Jordan,” I said, my voice tight.

Michael lifted his head. “Are you sure?”

“Not that we have much of a choice. But your parents need to make sure I don’t have to see him,” I said firmly.

Michael wrapped his arms around me. “You’re the best,” he whispered.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The wedding day finally arrived. My heart was so full I thought it might burst.

I had dreamed about this moment for years, and now it was finally here. I was marrying the man I loved more than anything, and nothing could ruin my day. Not stress, not nerves, not even Jordan.

Or so I thought.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I was in the bridal room at the church, standing in front of the mirror as my bridesmaids helped me with the final touches.

The dress was perfect. Everything was perfect. Then, there was a knock at the door.

Smiling, I turned to open it. My breath caught when I saw Jordan standing there.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What are you—” Before I could finish, he lifted a bucket and, in one swift motion, dumped its contents over me. Cold, sticky liquid drenched my dress, my skin, my hair.

“This is for rejecting me, witch,” he sneered.

I gasped. The smell of paint hit me first. Bright green dripped from my arms. My beautiful white gown was ruined.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Are you insane?!” I screamed, my voice shaking.

Jordan only laughed, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction, then slammed the door in my face.

My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the chair, sobbing. My bridesmaids rushed in, their faces horrified.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Oh my God,” one of them whispered.

“We need water,” another said, grabbing a towel.

They scrubbed at my dress, but the paint had already soaked in. There was no saving it.

Stacy grabbed my shoulders. “Stay here. I’ll find a white dress—anything.” She ran out before I could answer.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

I wiped my face, but more tears came. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

I couldn’t stop crying. I had spent months picking out my wedding dress, searching for the perfect one, imagining how I would look walking down the aisle.

Now, I’d have to wear something I had never even seen before. My hair was completely green, streaks of paint clinging to the strands. My bridesmaids worked quickly, pinning it up and covering it with my veil.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“It’ll be okay,” one of them whispered.

“We’ll wash it after the ceremony,” another promised.

The ceremony was already supposed to have started, but Stacy was still missing.

The minutes dragged on, each one heavier than the last. My bridesmaids paced, checking the time, whispering in worried tones.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Finally, the door burst open. Stacy came running into the room, breathless, her face flushed. In her hands, she held a surprisingly beautiful dress.

“Jordan told everyone you ran away. Michael is freaking out,” she blurted.

I froze. My stomach twisted.

“HE DID WHAT?!” I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Stacy nodded. “People are whispering. Michael looks like he’s about to pass out.”

I clenched my fists. My chest burned with anger. “That’s it. I’ve had enough.”

I reached up, ripped off my veil, and let my green-streaked hair fall loose. Gasps filled the room. My bridesmaids stared, wide-eyed.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Without another word, I stormed out. My dress stuck to my skin, the paint dry in some places, still dripping in others.

As I stepped into the church, heads turned. People whispered. My heart pounded, but I pushed forward.

Michael stood at the altar, his hands clenched, his face pale. He looked devastated.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I didn’t run away!” I shouted. My voice cut through the murmurs.

Michael’s head snapped up. “Danica?” He rushed down the aisle and pulled me into his arms.

Tears stung my eyes, but I forced them back. “Jordan poured green paint on me,” I said, stepping back and gesturing to my ruined dress. “Then he lied and told everyone I left!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Michael’s jaw tightened. He turned, scanning the room. “Jordan! Care to explain?!” His voice was sharp.

Jordan leaned back in his chair, smirking. “It was just a harmless joke,” he said, shrugging.

“That’s not a joke! No one is laughing! We’re all on edge as it is!” Michael snapped.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Whoa, little brother, calm down,” Jordan said, his tone mocking.

Michael squared his shoulders. “I’m not five anymore. You don’t have control over me.”

Jordan chuckled. “Yet here I am, at your wedding.”

“Get out!” I shouted, my voice shaking with rage.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jordan raised an eyebrow. “I was invited. I’m not leaving.”

Michael took a step forward. “Get out!” he repeated, his voice firm. “Or I’ll throw you out myself.”

“Michael, he’s your brother,” his mother interjected, standing abruptly.

Michael turned to her. “If you support what he did, you can leave too,” he said without hesitation.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His mother’s face paled. “But Michael—” she started.

“Out!” Michael commanded. His voice was final.

A tense silence filled the church. His parents exchanged a glance, then grabbed Jordan and walked out without another word.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Michael turned back to me, his eyes softening. He pulled me close, resting his forehead against mine. “I was so scared,” he whispered.

I exhaled, feeling the weight of everything lift. “Thank you for standing up for me,” I said, my voice steady.

“From now on, always,” he promised.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: I thought marriage would bring us closer, but instead, we drifted apart. Silence filled our mornings, distance grew between us. Then, one day, a forgotten phone and a single message shattered my world: “Hi, Daddy.” A name I didn’t recognize. A word that changed everything. I had to know the truth—no matter the cost.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

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