My MIL Gifted Me a Book, ‘100 Steps to Become a Good Wife for My Precious Son,’ So I Decided to Put an End to This — Story of the Day

On my wedding day, as vows were exchanged and love filled the air, Rick’s mother, Irene, found a way to steal the spotlight. From her dramatic interruption at the altar to gifting me a book, “How to Be a Good Wife for My Precious Son”, it was clear: she wasn’t ready to let me into her world—or her son’s.

I stood by the altar in my wedding dress, feeling the weight of the moment settle over me.

My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped the piece of paper with my vows, the edges soft and worn from nervous handling.

The air smelled faintly of roses and candles, and the faint rustle of silk from the guests’ outfits added a quiet hum to the room.

Across from me, Rick stood tall, his dark suit perfectly tailored to his broad frame.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His smile was warm, reassuring, and completely for me. I felt my heart swell as I met his gaze.

“If you’ve prepared your vows, please exchange them now,” the officiant said, his voice gentle but firm, breaking through the haze of my emotions.

I unfolded my paper, smoothing it out with care.

“Rick, I love you,” I began, my voice steady but laced with emotion. I could see his expression soften, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I wasn’t sure how to begin, but I decided to start with what’s most important.”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

A small smile played on my lips, and Rick chuckled softly, that familiar sound that always made me feel at home.

“These past four years we’ve spent together have changed my life,” I continued, my voice growing steadier as I found my rhythm.

“I was afraid of losing my old life and drowning in a relationship, so I hesitated for a long time. You know how hard it is for me to take big steps…”

“But I’m so glad I took this step,” I said, my smile widening.

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’m glad I’m standing here before you now. With you, I feel like I’m becoming the best version of myself. I love you, Rick.” My words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity.

There was a soft murmur of approval from the guests—subtle, but enough to remind me we weren’t alone in this moment.

“Samantha, I love you. You know I’m not one for long speeches,” he began, earning a light laugh from the crowd.

“So I’ll just say this: I’m happy you’re becoming my wife today. From now on, we’re a family, and family always sticks together.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The officiant smiled. “Samantha, do you take Rick to be your husband?”

“I do!” My voice rang out clearly.

“Rick, do you take Samantha to be your wife?”

“I do,” Rick said, his voice steady and full of conviction.

“If anyone here objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the officiant continued.

The room went still, the silence palpable. I felt my breath hitch. Then, to my horror, Irene stood up.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Of course, she couldn’t just let this be about us. She always had to make herself the center of attention.

“Sorry, I just needed to go to the bathroom. Didn’t mean to interrupt,” Irene said, her voice sugary sweet and her smile tight.

“Mom!” Rick snapped, clearly exasperated. He gestured for her to sit, his jaw tightening. Irene waved him off, taking her seat with an air of mock innocence.

I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying something I’d regret.

The officiant quickly regained control. “I now pronounce Samantha and Rick husband and wife!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The applause exploded, filling the room. Rick kissed me, his lips warm and full of love, and for a moment, the world felt perfect.

But as I glanced toward the guests, my eyes landed on Irene’s empty chair. It didn’t surprise me. Not one bit.

The reception was in full swing. Music filled the air, guests laughed, and the soft clinking of glasses blended into the hum of celebration.

I should’ve been floating on a cloud of happiness, surrounded by friends and family, but instead, my mood was sour.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My thoughts were stuck on the ceremony, replaying Irene’s little stunt over and over.

“You know she did that on purpose…” I muttered to Rick, sitting close beside me.

Rick sighed, his patience already thinning.

“Sweetheart, that’s not true. My mom loves you and respects my choice. Don’t make things up.”

“Loves me so much she couldn’t even wait a single minute until the ceremony was over? Seriously, Rick?” I shot back, keeping my voice low but firm.

“She’s an older woman. She probably really needed to go,” Rick argued, his tone defensive. “Or would you have preferred she… handled it right there in the hall?”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

His eyebrows rose slightly, as if that was the ultimate argument-ender.

“Rick! Enough!” I snapped, crossing my arms. How could he be so blind to her little games?

At that moment, as if summoned by our discussion, Irene approached our table. Her face was stretched into that same overly sweet smile she always wore, the one that made my skin crawl.

“My dear son,” she said warmly, wrapping Rick in a hug. “Congratulations on your big day. I hope Samantha will take good care of you and that you’ll be happy!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Thanks, Mom,” Rick replied, grinning as if she hadn’t just insulted me in the guise of kindness.

Irene then turned to me, her smile never wavering, and handed me a small, neatly wrapped package.

I stared at it, reluctant to take it.

I peeled back the paper slowly, my stomach twisting with dread. When the cover of the book came into view, my chest tightened.

“How to Be a Good Wife for My Precious Son,” it read, in a perfectly polished font. I froze, staring at the title.

It even had her name printed below: “By Irene.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My teeth clenched so hard I thought I might chip them. I forced a polite smile, but my hands were shaking.

“What’s this, Mom?” Rick asked, grabbing the book from me and flipping through the pages.

“Oh, nothing,” Irene said with a casual wave of her hand.

“I just thought Samantha could use a little guidance and advice.”

Rick, oblivious as ever, grinned.

“Oh, wow! It even has my favorite cookie recipe from when I was a kid! Mom, did you print this book yourself?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“All for my beloved son!” Irene chirped.

“Thank you, Irene,” I said through gritted teeth, somehow summoning the strength to be civil. “I’ll be sure to study this book carefully.”

“Samantha, don’t be mad,” Rick added, his tone almost scolding. “It’s a wonderful gift. Mom put so much effort into it.”

“Uh-huh,” I muttered, forcing a tight smile. Inside, I was screaming. But this wasn’t the time or place. Not yet.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Married life felt like a dream at first.

The days were filled with stolen kisses in the kitchen, whispered promises late at night, and the kind of laughter that made everything else fade away.

For a week, it was just us—our own little world, untouched by anything else.

But like a crack in glass, that perfect world fractured with one name: Irene.

“My mom’s coming over for dinner tonight,” Rick said casually while scrolling through his phone.

I froze, spatula mid-air. “What? Why?”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He looked up, confused. “She’s my mom. Why can’t she just visit?”

“So she’s just coming for a visit?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Well… she wanted to cook dinner for us.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “So she thinks I can’t cook dinner myself?”

Rick sighed, already weary of this conversation. “Of course not! She just wants to help…”

“Oh, help me be a good wife for her precious son…” I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Samantha! You’re misunderstanding again!” he snapped, his patience wearing thin.

“No, I understand perfectly,” I said firmly. “Your mom hates me and uses every excuse to meddle. What time is she coming?”

Rick hesitated. “In a couple of hours.”

“Good,” I said, already standing. “That gives me time to prepare.”

For the next two hours, I moved through the house like a storm—cleaning, cooking, and setting the table with meticulous care.

If Irene wanted a show, I was going to give her one. And I had a little surprise in mind, too.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The doorbell rang, echoing through the house, and I felt my shoulders tense. Rick hurried to open it, his face lighting up as he greeted her.

“Mom!” he said warmly, pulling her into a hug.

I stood a few steps behind, forcing a polite smile. “Welcome, Irene,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Irene replied with a saccharine smile. “We’re family now. This is my home too.”

“As you say,” I murmured, stepping aside as she waltzed into the living room like she owned the place.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Her eyes immediately fell on the dining table, perfectly set and laden with food.

“So, you’ve already prepared everything?” she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.

“What a shame—I was hoping to cook myself…”

“There’s no need,” I replied calmly. “I’ve taken care of everything.”

“Well, we’ll see,” she said, her tone as sharp as a knife, before sitting down at the table.

She scanned the spread, her gaze landing on the soup. “Oh, is this tomato soup from my book? You’re already trying out the recipes?”

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For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Yes, very useful recipes, thank you. But I made a few improvements…”

“Improvements?” she repeated, her voice rising indignantly.

Rick, oblivious to the tension, took a big spoonful and groaned in delight. “Oh my gosh, Samantha, this is the best tomato soup I’ve ever had!”

Irene’s smile faltered. “And my cupcakes…” she muttered under her breath as Rick continued eating enthusiastically.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Her displeasure was written all over her face, and I knew this was my moment. Rick went to the bathroom, and that was the moment I’d waited for to launch my plan.

“Irene,” I began, smiling sweetly, “your book inspired me so much that I wanted to repay your kindness.”

I picked up the remote and clicked a button. The projector on the wall flickered to life, displaying bold letters:

“How to Mind Your Own Business.”

“Today I proved that I’m more than capable of running my home and taking care of my husband. Irene, I appreciate your advice, but I’ll handle my life on my own terms.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Irene shot up from her seat, her face red with anger. “You’re not fit to be my son’s wife! And you know it!”

“Mom! How can you say that?” Rick walked inside the room, stunned.

“Rick, you know it’s true,” Irene snapped. “She’s not worthy of you.”

“Mom, enough!” Rick’s voice was firm now.

“I love Samantha, and you’ll accept my choice, whether you like it or not. I think it’s time for you to go home. I’ll call you a taxi.”

“Fine, dear…” Irene said with a huff, finally relenting.

I nodded silently, my heart pounding. For once, I felt victorious. In this battle for boundaries, I had finally taken a stand—and won.

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My Fiancé Cheated On Me, So I Teamed up with His Lover’s Husband for Ultimate Revenge — Story of the Day

I thought my life with Mark was perfect until I found a hotel reservation for two. In Spain, I met Daniel, whose wife was also hiding secrets. Together, we planned our revenge, but what happened next surprised us both.

I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the wedding magazines spread across the coffee table. Just last week, Mark and I had been discussing venues and honeymoon destinations. Everything was supposed to be perfect. Supposed to be. But then, something shifted.

“Spain again?” I had asked Mark when he casually mentioned his upcoming trip. “Didn’t you just get back?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

He shrugged, not meeting my eyes. “Work, babe. You know how it is.”

That evening, he flew off on his business trip, and I was left behind, bored out of my mind. I’d already done everything possible to keep myself busy.

Before, during these trips, we’d talk on the phone five or six times a day. But the phone calls became shorter and less frequent. Lately, I’d just been staring at my phone, willing it to ring.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

That evening, as I was cleaning out my inbox, I found the hotel reservation for two. At first, I laughed, thinking maybe Mark had accidentally used our vacation plans when booking his hotel in Spain.

But my heart sank as I scrolled through the details. Champagne and strawberries. I had an allergy to strawberries!

What does it mean? He isn’t alone in Spain! He is with someone else. Maybe right now, SHE’s eating those strawberries!

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“No, this can’t be right,” I whispered, pacing back and forth, gripping my phone tightly.

The email felt like a hot coal burning in my hand. Deep down, I knew. The pit in my stomach grew heavier. I grabbed my phone and called Claire, my best friend.

“You need to breathe,” she said, but her tone was anything but calm.

“I have to go to Spain, Claire. I have to see for myself,” I said, my voice shaking.

“You hate flying,” she reminded me.

“Watching my life fall apart from here is worse,” I replied, my fingers already booking the next flight.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

***

The flight to Spain was a nightmare from the start. My seat was cramped, the air felt stuffy, and my mind wouldn’t stop spinning with every possible scenario.

What if Mark is truly sorry? What if he will beg me to forgive him? Or worse, what if he doesn’t care at all?

I stared out the window, trying to distract myself, when suddenly, a cold splash hit my lap. I looked down to see tomato juice soaking into my jeans. Perfect. Just what I needed.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” The man next to me, wide-eyed and horrified, started fumbling with napkins. “I swear, I didn’t mean to… I’m just… I’m just really clumsy.”

“It’s fine,” I muttered, dabbing at the red stain.

Of course, such things happen. Could anything else go wrong today?

“Let me make it up to you. How about I buy us a drink? I mean, unless you want to sit in awkward silence for the rest of the flight with juice all over your lap.”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I couldn’t help but laugh despite everything. “Sure, why not? A drink could save the day.”

“I’m Daniel, by the way,” he said, offering his hand with a grin. “And I promise, I’m usually better with tomato juice.”

“Rebecca. And don’t worry, it’s not the worst thing to happen today.”

“Oh? Well, now I’m curious.”

I sighed, taking a sip of my drink.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“I’m on my way to Spain to confront my fiancé. He’s… probably cheating on me.”

“Yikes. That’s… rough.”

“Yeah. I found a hotel reservation for two. Champagne, dinner… you know, the works.”

“Ouch,” Daniel winced, shaking his head. “And here I thought spilling juice on you was bad.”

“Honestly, it kind of fits the day I’ve been having.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Daniel leaned back in his seat, swirling his drink. “Well, get this. I’m flying to Spain to see my wife. Who, surprise, might also be cheating on me.”

I blinked, stunned for a second, before bursting into laughter. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I wish I was. But I’m not. It’s like some kind of messed-up cosmic joke, isn’t it? Two betrayed souls stuck on the same flight.”

“What are the odds of us sitting next to each other?”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Pretty slim, I’d say,” Daniel replied, raising his glass with cola. “To bad luck and strange coincidences?”

I clinked my glass against his. “And to being covered in tomato juice.”

***

By the time we landed, the tomato juice incident was a distant memory. We both had bigger things on our minds. As we grabbed our bags and headed for the exit, Daniel turned to me.

“So… where are you staying?”

“It’s here.” I opened the GPS on my phone.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Me too.”

I laughed again, shaking my head. “Of course you are. What’s next? We’re assigned the same room?”

As it turned out, that was exactly what happened. The hotel had overbooked, and the frazzled desk clerk apologized profusely, offering us a shared room.

I was too exhausted to argue, and honestly, too curious about what would happen next. We both stood there in stunned silence for a moment.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Well, I guess it’s just another chapter in this weird story.”

Daniel smirked. “Looks like fate wants us to be roommates.”

We agreed to share the space. What were the odds? Two strangers, both betrayed, stuck together in a foreign country. It was absurd. But so was everything else about that day.

***

We settled into the room, both of us giving each other space. It was an odd situation. After some awkward silence, we decided to have lunch on the balcony.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I was picking at my salad when something caught my eye. I froze, my fork hovering mid-air. There, lounging by the pool, was Mark. But he wasn’t alone.

He was swimming too comfortably with a woman. And they looked… close. Way too close. In panic, I quickly ducked behind the balcony railing.

“That’s him,” I whispered, pointing shakily at the couple. “That’s Mark… with her.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I expected Daniel to say something, maybe a word of comfort. Instead, I noticed him tense up beside me. Without saying a word, he dropped down next to me on the balcony floor. He peered through the railing.

“That’s… my wife. Brenda.”

We both crouched there, our faces inches apart, staring through the slats of the railing like two kids spying on the neighbors. His wife. My fiancé. Together.

I turned to Daniel. “They’re cheating on us… with each other.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“This is like a bad sitcom.”

I raised my hand to shush him as we strained to hear their conversation. Brenda’s voice floated up, calm and collected like she was talking about the weather.

She was telling Mark her plan to divorce Daniel and live off the money she’d get from him. Mark, to my horror, was encouraging her, saying how great it would be.

I chuckled. “Are you… rich?”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Not rich enough for her.” He let out a bitter laugh.

We sat there for a moment, absorbing the insanity of the situation. Then, Daniel’s face lit up with an idea.

“Why don’t we give them a taste of their own medicine?”

“What do you mean?”

His kind of grin suggested nothing good was about to happen.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Let’s pretend we’re madly in love. Make a scene. We know where they’ll be having dinner tonight. Let’s give them something to talk about.”

My brain was struggling to keep up with the absurdity of the suggestion.

“That’s… ridiculous.”

“Exactly,” Daniel said. “It’s the perfect kind of ridiculous.”

It was childish, absurd, and completely out of character for me. But it was exactly what I needed.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For the next few hours, we plotted. Surprisingly, Daniel had a sharp sense of style. At one point, he looked at my wardrobe and groaned.

“You dress like a grandma at 40,” he teased.

“Excuse me?” I laughed. “I thought you liked this sophisticated, mature look.”

Then, out of nowhere, he pulled out a stunning red dress from his suitcase.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“I bought this for Brenda,” he said with a smirk, holding it up. “But I’m pretty sure it’ll look way better on you.”

I stared at the dress, then back at him, and burst out laughing. That was about to get very interesting.

***

That evening, we stepped out of the taxi, and for the first time in days, I felt… powerful. Daniel, dressed in a sharp suit, looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine, and I…

Well, that red dress did things I never thought possible. I almost didn’t recognize myself.

“You ready?” Daniel asked, offering me his arm with a playful smirk.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, slipping my arm through his.

We walked into the restaurant like we owned the place. The moment we passed Mark and Brenda’s table, I could feel their eyes on us.

Mark’s jaw practically dropped. Brenda froze with her fork suspended mid-air. I squeezed Daniel’s arm tighter, reminding myself not to burst into laughter. It was perfect.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

We stopped by their table. Daniel leaned in, his voice loud enough for them to hear.

“Should we invite them to join us for dinner? After all, it’s such a small world.”

Mark and Brenda exchanged awkward glances before giving us a hesitant wave. What followed was one of the most painfully delightful dinners I’ve ever had.

Brenda barely said a word. Mark looked like he’d rather be anywhere else, fidgeting in his seat. Daniel was in his element, flashing that charming grin of his.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“So, Mark, Brenda… how long have you two been enjoying Spain?” he asked casually.

“Uh, a few days,” Mark muttered. “Just a… spontaneous trip.”

Daniel didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, spontaneous! I love that. We should try that sometime, right, darling?”

I smiled sweetly, catching Mark’s bewildered expression. “Absolutely. Spontaneity is everything. Though, I’m not sure we could top your getaway.”

Mark’s face turned redder, and he shot a glance at Brenda, who was struggling to keep her composure.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“We were actually about to leave,” Brenda said.

Then, the grand finale. Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it slowly, revealing a stunning pair of diamond earrings.

“Brenda, I was planning to give you these. But I think they’ll suit my dear friend here much better.”

I didn’t suppress my grin as Brenda’s expression turned to pure horror.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“You’ll never see a dime of my money,” Daniel added, his tone suddenly serious. “And as for the rest… well, I think we both know where we stand.”

Daniel glanced at me, giving me a playful wink. “Shall we, darling? We have a reservation at a much better place.”

We strolled out of the restaurant, heads held high, arm in arm. It wasn’t the ending I had expected when I boarded that plane to Spain, but at that moment, I realized I had finally let go of the life I thought I needed. And what I found was something far more valuable. I found myself.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

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