Julia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her brand-new neighbors, Pamela and Robert, were sneaking around her yard like nosy cats. They peeked into her windows, stared at her roses, and whispered to each other like they were plotting something.
Julia stepped outside with a stiff smile plastered on her face. “Hi, neighbors!” she called, pretending to sound friendly.
Pamela jumped and gasped. “Oh, boy, you scared us!”
Julia tilted her head. Scared? More like caught red-handed. “So, do you like the house?” she asked, forcing cheerfulness into her voice.
Pamela glanced at Robert, then back at Julia. “Yes, it’s lovely. The garden is especially nice.”
Robert nodded quickly. “Yeah, we were just admiring your roses. They’re beautiful.”
Julia’s chest swelled with pride. Those roses had taken years to grow. “Thank you. We’ve spent a lot of time taking care of them.”
But Pamela’s sharp eyes weren’t on the roses anymore. She scanned the whole property like she was making a checklist. “You must be very proud of your home.”
Julia nodded slowly. “We are. It’s a lot of work, but worth it. We have a cozy porch that’s perfect for tea, a big living room with a fireplace, and a brand-new kitchen with modern appliances. My favorite spot is the sunroom out back. Perfect for reading.”
Robert smirked slightly. “Well, you’ve done a fantastic job. Maybe… you’d like to switch houses?”
Julia laughed, though her skin prickled with unease. “We put a lot of effort into this one, and we love it. So, no.”
Pamela and Robert chuckled too, but Julia noticed how forced their laughter sounded. They excused themselves quickly and left, muttering about needing to get home.
Julia stood in her yard, frowning. Why had they been snooping? And what was with that creepy house-switching comment? Something wasn’t right.
That night, Julia told her husband, Ethan. He frowned. “We’ll keep an eye on them,” he said firmly. “But for now, don’t stress too much.”
Julia nodded, but deep down, her gut told her trouble was coming. And a week later, she was proven right.
One quiet evening, there was a knock at the door. Ethan opened it to find Mr. Thompson, their landlord, standing there with a grim look.
“Evening,” Ethan greeted cautiously.
Mr. Thompson sighed and handed him an envelope. “I’m sorry, but I have to give you this.”
Ethan ripped it open. His face hardened. “It’s an eviction notice,” he said flatly.
Julia snatched the paper. Her hands shook as she read it. “Eviction? Why?!” she demanded.
Mr. Thompson rubbed his forehead. “Pamela and Robert complained about noise from your birthday party… and a foul smell from the garden. Other neighbors backed their claims. I have no choice. You have one week.”
Julia’s blood boiled. “This is outrageous! Lies! How can you believe them?”
Mr. Thompson looked guilty but helpless. “I’m truly sorry. My hands are tied.” He left, shutting the door softly.
Julia collapsed onto the couch, tears spilling down her cheeks. “How can they do this to us? They’ve wanted this house since the day they saw it!”
Ethan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, calm but firm. “Don’t cry, hon. We’ll figure this out. If they want our house so badly, let them have it… but we’ll make sure they regret it.”
Julia sniffled. “Do you really think we can?”
Ethan gave her a sly smile. “Oh, I know we can. They want a fight? They’ll get one.”
On moving day, the yard buzzed with activity. Julia and Ethan packed box after box, their hearts heavy. Across the fence, Pamela and Robert packed too, their faces glowing with excitement. They were thrilled to finally claim Julia and Ethan’s beautiful home.
Julia muttered under her breath as she carried a box, “Look at them. They’re so happy. It makes me sick.”
Ethan smirked. “Just wait. Their happiness won’t last long.”
Together, Julia and Ethan dismantled their garden, digging up every rose bush and plant they had lovingly raised. They even hauled away the jacuzzi, leaving nothing but a barren, dull yard.
And then came their secret revenge. They tucked smelly fish scraps and trash into hidden spots—inside vents, behind cabinets, under floorboards. Places Pamela and Robert would never think to look.
Pamela waved sweetly from across the yard. “I hope your move goes smoothly!” she chirped. Her fake smile made Julia want to scream.
Julia forced a tight smile. “Thanks,” she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
By the end of the day, Julia and Ethan drove off in their moving truck. Julia wiped away a tear as she looked back at the house they’d poured their hearts into. But when Ethan squeezed her hand and whispered, “Ready for a fresh start?” she nodded. They still had each other—and their plan.
Five days later, they were settled into their new cozy home. Boxes were almost unpacked, and the stress was fading. One evening, the phone rang.
Julia glanced at the caller ID. Pamela. Her lips curled into a grin.
She answered. “Hello?”
Pamela’s voice screeched through the line. “You left trash and fish guts hidden all over the house! The whole place stinks! We can’t find the source, and now the neighbors are complaining! They want us OUT! We’re going to sue you for this!”
Julia covered her mouth to hide her smile. She forced her voice to sound innocent. “Oops. We were evicted so fast, I guess we didn’t notice everything. Sorry!”
Pamela practically exploded. “This is unacceptable! You’ll pay for this!”
Julia let out a fake gasp. “Oh dear… good luck with that!” Then she hung up and immediately blocked her number.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “What was that about?”
Julia chuckled. “Pamela. They found our little surprise. The house reeks, and they can’t fix it.”
Ethan burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. “Serves them right! They wanted our house so badly—now they can choke on it.”
As the days passed, Julia and Ethan enjoyed their peaceful new life. One morning, sipping coffee together, Ethan leaned back and said, “See? Sometimes karma just needs a little push.”
Julia smiled, finally relaxed. “They got what they wanted. Let’s see how long they can stand it.”
The two of them laughed, imagining Pamela and Robert scrambling around the stinking house, their dream turning into a nightmare.
They had been forced out, but in the end, justice had been served. Julia and Ethan had the last laugh—proof that sometimes the sweetest revenge is hidden in the walls.