I should have known my birthday was doomed the moment I spotted my niece and nephew whispering together like two little villains plotting their next crime. Their eyes gleamed with mischief, flicking toward me every few seconds. I had no idea what they were planning, but I knew it wasn’t good.
The morning had started perfectly. My hair was freshly done, my makeup flawless, and my new dress made me feel like myself again—not just someone’s daughter, sister, or aunt. I was turning 30, and for once, I wanted to be the center of attention. I deserved to feel special.
The backyard was alive with the sounds of sizzling BBQ, clinking glasses, and cheerful conversation. My dad was manning the grill, my mom was fussing over the side dishes, and my brother, Mark, stood off to the side, laughing at something on his phone, beer in hand. Everything seemed normal—until Mark’s kids, Ava and Lily, made their presence known.
The two were running wild, shrieking as they tore through the guests. I watched in horror as they shoved my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, dangerously close to the pool. She gasped, barely catching herself on a chair.
I turned sharply to their mother, Jessica. Surely, she would put a stop to this? But instead, she just laughed.
“Oh, kids will be kids!” she said dismissively, waving a hand.
Mark chuckled, not even bothering to look up.
I clenched my jaw. Breathe, Liv. It’s your birthday. I tried to shake it off, but then I saw it—the real plan unfolding.
Ava and Lily were huddled together, whispering and giggling, a phone held up in Ava’s hand, clearly recording. Ethan, my nephew, crouched slightly, like a sprinter preparing to launch.
It hit me like a lightning bolt. They were going to push me into the pool.
I flicked my gaze to Jessica. She saw what they were about to do—and smirked. That was all I needed to see. I took a deep breath and decided to play the game.
The second they lunged at me, I took a quick step to the side.
SPLASH!
Ava and Lily tumbled into the pool, their arms flailing, their shocked expressions frozen in midair before they hit the water.
Silence. Then—
“HOW COULD YOU LET THEM FALL?!”
Jessica’s scream shattered the quiet. She stormed forward, her face burning red, eyes locked onto me like I had just committed a crime.
I blinked. “Let them? They tried to push me.”
She didn’t even glance at her soaking-wet children. She didn’t ask if they were okay. Her hands flew to her head as she gasped dramatically.
“Their iPhones!!!” she wailed. “Do you have any idea how expensive those were?!”
I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Maybe you should’ve watched your kids instead of laughing?”
Mark finally looked up, saw his kids dripping wet, and sighed. “That sucks.”
I grabbed two towels and handed them to Ava and Lily, but Jessica wasn’t done. “This is your fault, Olivia! You knew they would fall!”
I let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, and you knew they were going to push me. Should I have just let it happen?”
Jessica scoffed, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.”
“No, you are, Jessica,” I shot back.
I turned, grabbed my drink, and took a long, slow sip.
Happy freakin’ birthday to me.
The next morning, I woke up groggy, still annoyed. Hoping for a funny meme or a belated birthday wish, I grabbed my phone and checked my messages. But instead of a sweet message, I saw a text from Jessica.
It was a link.
Curious, I clicked on it and nearly choked on my coffee. It was an Apple store page for two brand-new iPhones—the latest, most expensive models. My stomach twisted as I scrolled down to see the price.
Then her message popped up.
Jessica: Since YOU let them fall, YOU need to replace these. It’s YOUR fault.
I sat up, blinking in disbelief. Was this some kind of joke?
Me: You can’t be serious.
The typing bubbles appeared almost instantly.
Jessica: You’re an adult. You should’ve just let them push you in. It’s not like you’d melt.
I let out a dry, humorless laugh. The sheer audacity. She actually thought I was responsible for her kids’ phones because I didn’t let them push me into the pool?
I was done playing nice.
Me: Don’t you dare try to make me feel guilty.
Silence. No reply.
I took that as a win, tossed my phone onto the nightstand, and went about my day, thinking this ridiculous situation was over.
I was wrong.
The next afternoon, my doorbell rang. I opened it to find Jessica standing there.
With balloons.
For a split second, I thought maybe she had come to apologize. Maybe even make amends. But then I noticed the car behind her—Mark was unloading decorations from the trunk.
That’s when I remembered. Weeks ago, before everything happened, we had agreed I would host Ava’s birthday party at my house. By the pool.
Jessica’s smile was smug. “Why do you look so confused? We’re here for the party!”
My blood boiled.
I folded my arms. “You seriously think you can demand money from me one day and then show up expecting me to host your kid’s party the next?”
Jessica sighed dramatically, like I was the unreasonable one. “Well, yeah,” she said. “You still owe us for the phones, but that’s separate.”
I laughed sharply. “Oh, it’s separate? You mean like how my house and my generosity are separate from your entitlement?” I pointed toward the street. “Get out.”
Her smug expression disappeared instantly.
Jessica’s face twisted in frustration. “You’re being a b—” She caught herself, glancing at Ava before softening her tone. “This is for my daughter! You’re punishing her over a harmless prank!”
I shrugged. “No, you punished her. You wanted me to be the villain? Fine. I’ll play the part.”
And with that, I slammed the door in her face.
From my window, I watched Jessica unravel in my driveway. She stomped and ranted, waving her arms like a lunatic. Mark awkwardly shifted by the car, while Ava just looked confused.
Then, from across the street, Mrs. Thompson appeared, phone in hand, held up just enough for Jessica to see the screen.
Jessica froze mid-rant. Her face drained of color.
Mrs. Thompson knocked on my door, grinning. “She won’t be bothering you about the phones anymore.”
“Oh?” I smirked. “And why’s that?”
“I simply let her know I have a lovely little video of her kids trying to push me into the pool. And if she keeps pushing this nonsense, well… I’d be happy to take it to the police.”
Jessica didn’t argue. She grabbed Ava’s hand, stormed off, and within seconds, their car peeled out of my driveway.
For the first time ever, Jessica had nothing to say.
The next morning, a new message popped up in the family group chat.
Jessica: Ava’s party was a disaster because of you. Hope you’re happy.
I stared at it, then smiled.
Me: Oh, I am. Thanks for checking.
