Here’s your 500-word story:
A Lesson for Linda
Mia sighed, staring at the breathtaking ocean view from the balcony of their Maldives resort. The salty breeze kissed her skin, the sun melted into the horizon, and Bob’s warm arms wrapped around her waist. This was supposed to be paradise. It was—until Linda arrived.
His mother.
Linda had announced her arrival with the dramatic flourish of a villain entering the scene. She booked the room right next door, much to Mia’s horror.
“Oh, sweetheart, I just couldn’t miss celebrating my son’s anniversary!” Linda gushed, pressing a cold kiss to Bob’s cheek. Then, turning to Mia, she added in a lower, venomous voice, “I had to make sure you weren’t ruining it.”
That set the tone for the trip.
Every candlelit dinner? Linda suddenly appeared, “accidentally” spilling her drink or droning on about Bob’s exes. Their snorkeling excursion? Linda insisted she come along, then conveniently felt “too tired” and made Bob carry her back to shore. Their private sunset cruise? Linda booked a spot.
Worst of all were the whispers.
Bob never heard them. But when he wasn’t looking, Linda would lean in and murmur, “You’ll never be good enough for my son.” Or, “He only married you because I told him he’d feel guilty if he didn’t.”
Mia clenched her fists, rage bubbling.
She could complain. She could cry.
Or… she could handle it.
That night, while Bob was in the shower, Mia knocked on Linda’s door.
The older woman smirked as she opened it. “Oh, finally giving up?”
Mia smiled sweetly. “Just the opposite. I wanted to offer you something.” She pulled out a small envelope.
Linda’s eyes narrowed. “What’s this?”
“A free spa day. A full day. The works—massages, facials, all of it. Bob and I want to treat you.”
Linda hesitated. “Well…”
“Non-refundable,” Mia added, “and the only slot is tomorrow. If you don’t take it, it’ll go to waste.”
Linda’s greed won out. “Fine. Since you insist.”
The next morning, Mia and Bob saw her off with cheerful waves. As soon as Linda disappeared into the spa, Mia grabbed Bob’s hand.
“Come on!” she whispered excitedly.
He blinked. “Where are we going?”
“To actually enjoy our anniversary.”
With Linda out of the picture, Mia and Bob spent the day as they’d originally planned—sipping cocktails, making love under the sun, swimming in the clear blue ocean. It was bliss.
But Mia wasn’t done yet.
She had one last surprise.
When Linda returned, looking smug, she strolled into her room—only to stop dead.
Her luggage was packed.
A ticket home sat on the bed.
And her credit card statement, which Mia had conveniently arranged to be sent early, showed a very large charge from the spa.
Mia stepped beside her. “Happy anniversary, Linda.”
Linda sputtered. “You—”
Mia patted her shoulder. “Lesson learned. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my husband and I have a romantic dinner to get to.”
And with that, Mia closed the door, locking paradise behind her.
