I have been married to Caleb for four years, and he’s my rock. However, his mother, Evelyn, has been a constant source of tension.

Disapproving of my career as an artist and my lifestyle, she frequently undermines me, suggesting Caleb deserves someone better and even introducing him to other potential partners. She even asked him to divorce me!

I vividly remember our first Christmas together. The living room was filled with the warmth of the fireplace and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

We were all gathered around, unwrapping gifts. Evelyn, with her silver hair and sharp eyes, handed me a neatly wrapped box.

“This one’s for you, Cecelia,” she said, a little too cheerfully.

I tore the paper and opened the box, only to find a cat sweater. And not just any cat sweater, but one that was garish and over-the-top.

I forced a smile. “Thank you, Evelyn.”

Evelyn, who was sixty but had the spirit of a mischievous teenager, smirked. “Oh, must have been a mix-up. I guess it’s too small!” she said, barely hiding her laughter. “But you would look better in pet fashion!”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I glanced at Caleb, hoping for some support, but he just looked awkward, unsure of what to do.

I swallowed my pride and slipped the sweater over my head. It itched terribly and was way too tight.

“How do I look?” I asked, trying to sound cheerful.

“Like a model for the pet store,” Evelyn chuckled.

“Mom, that’s enough,” Caleb chimed in.

But Evelyn wasn’t done. “I’m just having some fun. Lighten up, Cecelia.”

I sat there, feeling humiliated but trying to keep my composure. The room seemed to close in on me, and I couldn’t wait for the day to be over. But I wore that sweater for Caleb, for the sake of peace.

It was only later that I found out Evelyn had switched the gift tags, which is how I ended up with the sweater for her cat, and she took my designer scarf.

After that Christmas disaster, I should have known what to expect from Evelyn. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened on my wedding day.

The venue was perfect. The flowers, the decorations, the lights — everything was just as I had dreamed. But as the guests began to arrive, I noticed a problem. There was no food. The caterer was nowhere to be found.

My heart raced. “Where’s the caterer, Caleb?”

“I don’t know,” he replied, looking just as worried.

We scrambled, calling everyone we could think of. Finally, we managed to find a last-minute replacement. Isabella, a local caterer, came through for us. She and her team worked miracles to get everything set up in time.

Later, as I tried to catch my breath, Evelyn approached me. “Oh dear, I just realized I lost the caterer’s number. I was only trying to help,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

I knew better. “Thank you, Evelyn,” I said, forcing a smile.

Evelyn had that glint of mischief in her eye, and I could sense her satisfaction.

Thankfully, the reception turned out beautiful despite the rocky start. Guests laughed and danced, and the food was delicious, thanks to Isabella’s quick work.

That was the day I learned to expect the unexpected from Evelyn and to always have a backup plan.

But Evelyn wasn’t done causing trouble.

It was a sunny day at the local park, and our family was gathered for a picnic. Kids ran around, laughter filled the air, and everything seemed perfect. I was chatting with Linda, Evelyn’s childhood friend when I heard Evelyn clear her throat loudly.

“Everyone, can I have your attention?” Evelyn called out. She stood up, holding a glass of lemonade. “I just want to say how wonderful it is to see everyone here, especially my dear son Caleb.”

I smiled, thinking maybe she was about to say something nice for once. But then she continued. “I look forward to Caleb’s next wedding,” she announced, “where he will marry someone who can make him truly happy!”

Silence fell over the park. I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach. I looked at Caleb, who was as shocked as I was.

“Mom, that’s enough!” Caleb shouted, but Evelyn just smirked and took a sip of her drink.

“Oh, I was just joking, dear,” she said.

“That’s not a joke,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “Why do you hate me, Evelyn?”

Caleb stood beside me, his face serious. “Mom, you need to apologize.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes. “You two are too sensitive,” she said and walked away without apologizing.

It was then that I decided I had had enough. It was time Evelyn learned a lesson.

Back at home, I sat in the study room, a cup of tea by my side. I had a plan.

Evelyn’s birthday was coming up, and she had the nerve to ask me to plan her party despite all the humiliation she had caused me. This time, I was going to turn the tables.

I hired the best caterer, Isabella. She had saved our wedding day, and I knew she would make Evelyn’s party unforgettable. Then, I booked a beautiful venue owned by Nathaniel. His place was perfect, elegant, and exactly what Evelyn would boast about.

The highlight of the party wouldn’t be the food or the venue. It would be a video. One by one, I contacted people Evelyn had wronged over the years.

“Cecelia, it’s about time someone stood up to her,” Linda, Evelyn’s childhood friend, said over the phone. “I have plenty to say.”

Next, I called Mrs. Davenport, a former neighbor. “Oh, Evelyn,” she sighed. “She spread so many rumors about me. I’ll gladly share my story.”

I reached out to distant relatives, too. “Evelyn’s manipulations have hurt our family for years,” Mark, one of Caleb’s cousins, said. “I’ll send you my part tonight.”

As I compiled these stories into a video, Caleb walked in, looking concerned. “Are you sure about this, Cecelia?”

I nodded. “She needs to see the impact of her actions, Caleb. This isn’t just for us. It’s for everyone she’s hurt.”

He took my hand, squeezing it gently. “Fine. I support you. Let’s do this.”

Later that evening, Isabella called to confirm the catering details. “We’re all set, Cecelia. This party will be one to remember.”

“Thanks, Isabella. I appreciate your help.”

Finally, I met with Nathaniel at the venue. He showed me around, and we finalized the plans. “It’s going to be beautiful,” he assured me.

“I want everything to be perfect,” I said. “It has to be.”

As I walked through the venue, I imagined the looks on the guests’ faces when they saw the video. Evelyn would finally understand that her actions had consequences.

“How did it go?” Caleb asked as I returned home.

“Everything’s set,” I replied. “Now we just wait for the big day.”

And soon, the day of Evelyn’s extravagant birthday party arrived. The venue was stunning, with elegant decorations and a lively atmosphere. Guests mingled and chatted, unaware of the surprise that awaited them.

As the party progressed, I stood up to give a speech. The room quieted, and all eyes turned to me.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate Evelyn’s special day,” I began, smiling warmly. “I have a special gift for Evelyn.”

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as I introduced the video. “This is a tribute from those who know and love you, Evelyn,” I said, pressing play.

The room darkened, and the screen lit up. One by one, people shared their stories. Mrs. Davenport talked about the rumors Evelyn spread. Mark spoke about the family tensions she caused.

Linda spoke in the end. “Evelyn, we’ve been friends since childhood. But there’s a story I’ve never told you.”

Linda’s eyes filled with emotion as she recalled a party from their teenage years. “You revealed an embarrassing secret about me to everyone. I lost many friends and endured years of bullying because of it.”

The room was silent, the guests’ faces were reflecting shock and disbelief. Linda continued, her voice breaking. “Evelyn, it’s never too late to change. The world could be a much brighter place if you spread kindness instead of bitterness.”

The video ended, and the room remained silent. Evelyn’s face was a mix of shock and reflection. She stood up, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, looking directly at me.

***

After the party, Evelyn approached me, her eyes red from crying.

“Cecelia, I owe you an apology,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’ve been jealous of the love and happiness you share with Caleb. I never felt that in my own marriage. I lashed out at you because of my envy.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a wave of relief. “Evelyn, it’s not too late to change. We can start fresh.”

She nodded, tears still falling. “I want to make things right, Cecelia. I’m truly sorry.”

Over time, Evelyn made a genuine effort to change. She apologized to those she had wronged and worked to improve her relationship with Caleb and me. Our lives became more peaceful, and Evelyn slowly became a kinder person.

And that is how I gave my MIL the ultimate lesson in karma on her birthday, right in front of all her guests