The Shameful Secret
A young man was so embarrassed by his one-eyed mother that he locked her away, refusing to let her attend his graduation. But secrets have a way of coming out—and this one would change everything.
A House Full of Lies
When Carla got the call from Mrs. Yarrow, her late father’s neighbor, she couldn’t believe her ears.
“Carla, dear,” the older woman sighed, “you need to do something about your tenants. The noise is unbearable!”
Carla’s blood ran cold. Tenants? She hadn’t rented out her father’s house. She hadn’t even stepped inside since his death—it was too painful. The house was all she had left of him.
“Mrs. Yarrow,” she said slowly, “there’s a mistake. No one should be living there.”
“Well, someone is,” the neighbor snapped. “And they’re turning the place into a nightmare!”
Carla’s hands shook as she grabbed her keys. She had to see this for herself.
The Betrayal
The moment she turned onto her father’s street, her stomach dropped.
The driveway was packed with beat-up cars. The front door hung open, blasting loud music. Beer cans littered the lawn. The porch—where her father used to sit in his rocking chair—was now covered in stains and trash.
Her heart pounded. Who did this?
Then she saw it—a familiar car in the garage. Nate’s Honda.
Nate. Her husband Phil’s best friend.
The truth hit her like a punch.
Phil did this.
Her own husband had rented out her father’s house behind her back. He’d turned her childhood home—the place where her dad taught her to ride a bike, where they sat on the porch swing together—into a party house.
And for what? Money?
She clenched her fists. Phil had been acting strange lately—buying expensive things, talking about vacations. When she asked where the money came from, he’d just mumbled about “bonuses.”
Now she knew. He’d been stealing from her grief.
Revenge Takes Shape
She could storm inside. She could scream. But that wouldn’t be enough.
Phil needed to feel the same pain he’d caused her.
She pulled out her phone and called Nate.
“I know you’re living in my father’s house,” she said coldly. “I could have you kicked out tonight.”
Silence. Then—
“But,” she continued, “if you help me teach Phil a lesson, I’ll let you stay one more month. Rent-free.”
Nate hesitated.
“One month,” she pressed. “Or I call the cops right now.”
Finally, he caved. “Alright. What do you want me to do?”
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Carla’s face.
The trap was set.
“The House Is on Fire!”
The next morning, Phil was eating breakfast when his phone rang.
“Dude, the house is on fire!” Nate’s panicked voice shouted through the speaker.
Phil nearly choked. “What?!”
“I don’t know what happened—sparks, smoke, the whole thing! Fire trucks are here!”
Phil jumped up, spilling his coffee. “I’m on my way!”
He barely muttered an excuse to Carla before bolting out the door.
His mind raced. This can’t be happening. He’d been so careful. If Carla found out…
Halfway there, his phone rang again.
“Hey,” Carla said, her voice eerily calm. “Just wanted to let you know—I’m showing Dad’s house to some buyers today.”
Phil’s stomach dropped. “WHAT? You’re selling it?!”
“Why not?” she said lightly. “It’s just sitting there.”
“But—it’s your father’s house!” he sputtered.
“Too late,” she replied. “I’ll be there soon.”
The call ended.
Phil slammed the gas pedal down. He had to stop her—but how? The house was burning!
The Truth Comes Out
When he screeched into the driveway, his heart stopped.
No fire. No smoke. No fire trucks.
Just Nate, sitting on the porch, looking guilty.
“Nate!” Phil roared. “What the hell? You said the house was on fire!”
Nate winced. “I had to, man. Carla called me. She knows everything.”
Phil’s blood turned to ice.
She knew.
And she’d played him. Made him panic. Made him rush here like a fool.
His jaw clenched. He couldn’t face her. Not now.
Without another word, he got back in his car and drove straight to a motel.
The Final Blow
The next morning, Phil filed for divorce.
He demanded their shared home in the settlement. Let Carla keep her father’s house—let her live in the past if that’s what she wanted.
But he wouldn’t apologize.
He’d done what he had to do. And if she couldn’t see that, then fine.
She’d chosen a ghost over him.
And he was done.
The End.
