Greed led my father-in-law to cause a ruckus in a restaurant, leaving tension and strife in his wake. However, little did he know that his ego was about to be humbled when an unexpected twist arose from the karma of his actions. What started as a man trying to get his way turned into him learning a valuable life lesson that had continually eluded him.
At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, I’ve always believed in karma. You know, the idea that what goes around, comes around. But never in my wildest dreams did I expect to witness it unfold so vividly and immediately as it did one evening with my father-in-law (FIL), Benjamin.
This man, bless his heart, operates under the assumption that the universe, with all its cosmic might, revolves around him and is essentially supposed to cater to all his needs and wants. And on this particular day, karma decided to give him a reality check.
Let me paint the picture: My husband, Sam, and I, Linda, were dining out with him at a local restaurant Benjamin claimed to be the “best in the state.” He’s the kind of guy who orders as if preparing for an impending food shortage—four burgers, fries, the works!
As our patient waiter returned to the kitchen after bringing us our food, my FIL discreetly set aside one burger, a minor detail that would later unravel into an epic tale of instant karma.
We watched in shock as Benjamin erupted like a volcano at the returning waiter, disbelief and indignation painting his face upon realizing there was a “missing” burger. “I ordered four burgers. Why are there only three?!” he bellowed across the table, attracting unwanted attention.
The waiter, a paragon of patience, politely assured him, “I made sure I put them all in the bag, sir.”
“Are you blind?! This is only three!” His voice, dripping with condescension, cut through the hum of restaurant chatter.
At this point, I was ready to say something to defend this poor woman who was just trying to do her job, but my husband knew his father would just turn his fake rage on me and make a bigger scene. So, knowing I couldn’t stand for anyone being mistreated, he grabbed my hand lightly to urge me not to say anything.
I trust Sam’s instincts, especially when it comes to his father, so I pulled back and settled into my chair, watching the drama unfold.
Seeing that Benjamin was one of those unreasonable consumers who believed they were always right, the waiter apologized. She said, “Sorry, Sir. I’ll get you another one,” even though it was clear from her reaction that she was quite certain she’d brought all four.
The innocent woman walked away to get a fifth burger for my greedy FIL, and we sat looking at him with disgust but chose to say nothing to avoid inflaming the situation further. The waiter’s solution seemed to satisfy Benjamin momentarily, his smirk spreading across his face like a dark cloud.
Little did he know, the universe was about to serve him a HUGE slice of humble pie!
Fast forward to our arrival home, and the smugness quickly faded into sheer panic. My FIL’s face turned white as a sheet when he realized his wallet was missing! The atmosphere thickened with tension as he frantically searched, his mind racing back to the restaurant.
My husband and I exchanged knowing glances, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts.
In a twist of fate, my FIL, driven by desperation, called the restaurant, only to have the same waiter answer! The calm in her voice as she confirmed finding his wallet was almost palpable! But there was a major twist to the news he hadn’t expected…
The waiter informed him that the restaurant had a peculiar policy, one my FIL had always ridiculed on the walls and menus of the establishment, stating that any lost items unclaimed within an hour would be donated to charity
The realization hit him like a freight train! He quickly dropped the call and filled us in, “I think they gave away all my money, we need to go back!” I am not going to lie, seeing him all distressed and panicky left me feeling like justice was served, but it was only the beginning!
We rushed back to the restaurant, only to be met with the ultimate irony. The waiter, now wearing a grin of victory, handed him an envelope from the charity organization, thanking him for his “generous donation,” before pouring him a “complimentary drink.”
Inside were receipts detailing how the money from his wallet provided meals for several homeless individuals that evening!
Silence enveloped him, a rare moment of humility overtaking the usual pomp and bluster. My husband took this moment to gently address his father’s behavior, igniting a heartfelt discussion about respect, gratitude, and the ripple effect of our actions.
“Dad, you know what you did to that waiter was wrong, and it’s probably why you forgot your wallet at the restaurant,” he told him when we got to the safety of the car. “You always have this idea that you can do anything you want and there won’t be consequences,” Sam continued.
With tears in his eyes, he added, “You know that’s part of the reason why Mom isn’t with us today.”
What my husband was referring to was how Benjamin ended up living with us because his wife, Sam’s mother, divorced him and took everything. My FIL repeatedly cheated on Diana, a sweet and loving woman who would’ve given the world to Benjamin.
When she finally got tired of his entitlement, she took him to the cleaners in court, sharing a folder and footage of years of private investigations she’d done on her husband to prove his guilt. She’d known throughout his marriage about his infidelity but only confronted him once or twice, where he pompously told her
However, he definitely “answered” to her when she filed for divorce and won everything before selling it all and relocating to another country. Only Sam and I had contact with her via texts and sometimes video calls.
It was a painful yet cathartic experience for all, especially for my FIL, who had never acknowledged facing the consequences of his entitlement in such a direct and immediate way. The incident at the restaurant and Sam’s heartfelt confrontation marked a turning point, not just for my FIL but for our family as a whole.
The lesson from karma was a clear and profound one that led the man who once embodied entitlement and arrogance to vow to change. He began a journey of volunteering and connection with those he had overlooked—the homeless people who’d benefited from his loss.
Our family dinners, once tense affairs, transformed into sessions of meaningful conversation and laughter. My FIL, previously the source of strife, became the catalyst for unity, embodying the transformative power of kindness and empathy.
So, there it is: A story of how a misplaced wallet and a “missing” burger taught us all the invaluable lesson that no act of kindness, no matter how small, goes unnoticed by the universe. Karma, in its most poetic form, reminded us that humility and compassion pave the path to true fulfillment. And for my FIL, it was a lesson learned not a moment too late.
While Linda’s story about how karma finally knocked some sense into her FIL shows how sometimes it takes time for people to get the message, here’s another story that will make you halt before doing something stupid that you’ll regret later.
Sarah’s Story about Bad Karma against Her Dad That Will Make You Think Twice before Acting Out
In a classic tale of dinner drama turned karma jackpot, a Reddit user, let’s call him John, recounts a meal out with his then-fiancée, Sarah, and her less-than-stellar dad. Picture this: a cozy restaurant scene, our couple, and the dad who’s had a history of favoring his new family over Sarah.
As the night winds down, Dad offers to foot the bill, a gesture that seems nice until Sarah’s request for a to-go box for her leftovers sparks his snide remark about wasted fridge space. John, ever the knight in shining armor, steps in,
But, oh, does that ruffle Dad’s feathers! He throws a fit, tossing the bill at John and storming out with a dramatic “FINE!” Poor Sarah’s caught in the middle, upset at John for stirring the pot. Now, here’s where the universe decides to spice things up.
While waiting for the bill, tensions high and Dad lurking outside, the waiter reveals they’re in the middle of an “every bill’s a winner” contest. Usually, it’s a free drink or appetizer on the line, but not tonight. Tonight, John and Sarah hit the jackpot – a trip for four to sunny Florida, all because karma decided Dad’s departure was the perfect moment for a grand prize win!And so, our couple learns that sometimes, standing up for your loved ones not only brings you closer but might just land you a vacation in the process. As for Dad, well, let’s hope he’s learned something about kindness and maybe, just maybe, he’ll get a postcard from Florida. For those enjoying the swiftness of karma, there are four more stories like Sarah’s included here!
My Husband Dumped Me as Soon as He Walked into the Hospital Ward and Saw Our Newborn Twin Daughters
“You tricked me!” Instead of celebrating our newborn twin daughters, my husband lashed out and accused me of cheating on him. With venomous words and a cruel exit, Mark shattered our family. Now, I’m going to make him pay the price for abandoning us.
I lay in the sterile white hospital bed, my heart full though my body ached. I was exhausted, but it all felt worthwhile as I stared down at the beautiful twin girls pressed to each of my sides.
A woman holding her newborn twin girls | Source: Midjourney
The babies cooed softly and tears of joy spilled down my face. After years of infertility and a long, difficult pregnancy, I was finally a mom. It was the best feeling in the world!
I reached for my phone and typed a message to Mark, my husband: They’re here. Two beautiful girls. Can’t wait for you to meet them.
I hit send, a contented smile creeping across my face as I imagined his excitement.
A cell phone | Source: Pexels
This was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of our lives, and I never could’ve imagined how swiftly it would turn into the worst.
A while later, the door clicked open, and there he was. But instead of joy, Mark’s expression was unreadable — stony, like a man called into a meeting he didn’t want to attend.
“Hey,” I said softly, mustering a smile. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
A woman with her newborn twins | Source: Midjourney
Mark finally looked at the twins, his jaw tightening. Disappointment flickered across his face before his lips curled in disgust.
“What the hell is this?” he muttered, more to himself than to me.
Confusion welled inside me, pressing heavily against my ribs. “What do you mean? They’re our daughters! What’s going on with you, Mark?”
His gaze turned sharp.
A man standing in a hospital room | Source: Midjourney
I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface, ready to explode. And when it did, it was like a dam breaking.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on: you tricked me!” he snarled. “You didn’t tell me you were having girls!”
I blinked, stunned. “What does it matter? They’re healthy. They’re perfect!”
I reached for his hand, desperate to tether him to this moment. But he yanked it away, disgust etched across his face like a bad tattoo.
An angry man | Source: Midjourney
“It matters a lot! This isn’t what I wanted, Lindsey! I thought we were having boys!” His voice rose, bouncing off the cold walls, and I felt every syllable slice through me. “This whole family was supposed to carry on my name!”
My heart sank. “You’re serious? You’re angry because… they’re girls?”
“Darn right, I am!” He stepped back like the sight of the babies physically repelled him. “Everyone knows only boys can carry on a legacy! You… you cheated on me, didn’t you? These can’t be mine.”
A man gesturing angrily | Source: Midjourney
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Air escaped my lungs as if he’d knocked it clean out of me.
“How could you even say that?” I whispered, tears blurring my vision. “You’re really accusing me of cheating because I had daughters?”
But he was already pacing toward the door, his hands clenching and unclenching in frustration.
“I’m not raising someone else’s kids,” he spat, his voice thick with finality. “I’m out.”
A man yelling in a hospital room | Source: Midjourney
Before I could respond — before I could beg or scream or cry — he was gone. The door slammed shut behind him with a deafening thud. And just like that, everything I thought I knew unraveled.
I looked down at my daughters, cradled in my arms, their tiny faces serene.
“It’s okay, sweethearts,” I whispered, though my heart felt anything but okay.
And for the first time since they were born, I began to cry.
An upset woman with her twin daughters | Source: Midjourney
Mark disappeared. No calls. No messages. The only word I got of him was a rumor filtering through mutual friends that he was on vacation somewhere sunny, drinking cocktails with the same guys who toasted us at our wedding.
That’s right; he dumped me and went on vacation. It wasn’t just the betrayal. It was the ease with which he walked away, as though our life together had been a minor inconvenience.
But the worst was yet to come.
Close up of a woman’s face | Source: Midjourney
I was back at home, settling into a routine with the girls, when I got the first message from Mark’s mother, Sharon.
I was so relieved! Sharon was a stern woman, and I knew Mark would have to come around if his mother was on my side.
My fingers shook with anticipation as I played Sharon’s voicemail. Her voice dripped through my phone like venom.
A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels
“You ruined everything,” Sharon snarled. “Mark deserved sons, everyone knows that. How could you do this to him? To our family? How could you betray my son like this?”
I was so shocked, and I dropped my phone. Her words cut deeper than any insult. To them, I hadn’t just had daughters, but I had failed. And they wanted to punish me for it.
I stared down at my phone, trying to process this new avenue of attack.
A woman staring | Source: Midjourney
I jumped when my phone started ringing. It was Sharon. I let it ring and watched as a new voicemail notification popped up after the ringing stopped.
Then the text messages started rolling in, each one more vicious than the last. Sharon called me every name under the sun as she lambasted me for cheating on Mark, for giving birth to daughters, for not being a good wife… it went on and on.
Mark’s entire family had turned against me. I was all alone.
Message notifications on a cell phone | Source: Pexels
I tried to keep it together, but the nursery became my sanctuary and prison at night. I’d sit in the rocking chair, holding my daughters close, whispering promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I murmured repeatedly, the words as much for me as for them. “We’ll be okay. Everything is going to turn out just fine, you’ll see.”
But there were nights I wasn’t so sure. Some nights, the weight of loneliness and fear pressed down so hard I thought I might break.
An emotional woman | Source: Midjourney
On one of those nights, I found myself weeping as I fed the girls. It all felt like too much to bear.
“I can’t keep doing this,” I sobbed. “It’s too hard. I can’t keep waiting…”
And that’s when it hit me. All this time, I’d been waiting for Mark to come around and to see sense, but he’d done nothing to make me believe that might happen. He hadn’t even called.
I looked down at my girls and knew it was time I stood up for them and myself.
A woman holding a baby | Source: Pexels
A lawyer gave me the first glimmer of hope.
“With Mark’s abandonment,” she said, tapping a pen thoughtfully on her desk, “you have a strong case. Full custody. Child support. We’ll take care of visitation on your terms.”
Her words were a balm to my shattered spirit. Finally, I had some control and something to fight with. And I wasn’t going to stop there.
Mark wanted out? Fine. I was happy to divorce the jerk, but he wouldn’t get to walk away unscathed.
Divorce papers | Source: Pexels
I created a new social media profile, one carefully curated to tell the story I wanted people to see.
Post after post showed my daughters’ milestones: tiny hands grasping for toys, gummy smiles, and their first giggles. Each photo was a slice of happiness, and in every caption, there was an undeniable truth: Mark wasn’t part of it.
Friends shared the posts, family members left comments, and soon, the updates spread like wildfire through our circle. Mark might have left, but I was building something beautiful without him.
A woman scrolling on her phone | Source: Midjourney
The open house was my final act of defiance. I invited everyone. The only person not welcome was Mark. And just to twist the knife, I made sure the invite said so.
My house brimmed with warmth and laughter on the big day. The twins wore matching outfits with tiny bows perched on their soft heads. Guests gushed over how beautiful they were.
Then the door flew open, and there was Mark, furious and wild-eyed. The room fell silent.
A furious man | Source: Midjourney
“What the hell is this?” he barked. “You’ve turned everyone against me!”
I stood, my heart pounding but steady. “You abandoned us, Mark, because you didn’t want daughters. You made your choice.”
“You robbed me of my chance to pass down my family legacy!” He retorted, eyes blazing.
“You’re not welcome here,” I said, my voice calm and almost pitying. “We don’t want or need a man like you in our family. This is my life now.”
A woman yelling | Source: Midjourney
Friends closed ranks around me, their presence a silent but powerful force. Defeated and humiliated, Mark turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind him.
Weeks later, Mark received the court papers detailing the child support, custody, and visitation arrangements. There was no escape. He’d still have to accept the responsibility of being a father, even if he was never going to be a dad to our girls.
Then came Sharon’s final message — an apology, maybe, or more bitter words. It didn’t matter. I deleted it without reading it.
A woman glancing at her phone | Source: Midjourney
I was done with their family and done with the past.
And as I rocked my daughters that night, the future stretched wide open before us: bright, untouchable, and ours alone.
Here’s another story: After a week away, I came home to the strange and unsettling sight of my kids sleeping on the cold hallway floor. Heart pounding, I searched for answers, only to find my husband missing and odd noises coming from the kids’ room. What I uncovered next left me furious — and ready for a fight!
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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