What happens when a dream honeymoon isn’t dreamy enough? One shocking phone call from my stepdaughter set the stage for a lesson in gratitude she never saw coming.
Life has a way of surprising you, often when you least expect it. I never imagined myself becoming a stepmother at 45, let alone to a young woman like Brooke. When I married Gary ten years ago, it wasn’t just him I fell in love with; it was the idea of family.
A closeup shot of a bride and groom standing and holding a bouquet | Source: Pexels
Brooke was thirteen then, and while we didn’t always see eye to eye, I poured my heart into making her feel cared for.
By the time she was twenty-three, Brooke had blossomed into an ambitious, sharp, and, let’s be honest, a bit spoiled young woman. She had big dreams, and Gary and I always did our best to support her. From her college tuition to her dream wedding, we were there. But nothing prepared me for the events that unfolded after her wedding.
A thoughtful woman sitting alone in her room | Source: Midjourney
Gary and I had spared no expense for Brooke and Mason’s wedding. The venue was a sprawling vineyard with twinkling fairy lights, the kind you’d see on the cover of a bridal magazine. It cost a fortune, but it was worth it to see Brooke’s radiant smile as she walked down the aisle.
After the wedding, we wanted to gift them something truly special: a honeymoon to remember. Gary and I spent weeks scouring travel sites until we found the perfect villa in the Dominican Republic.
A view of palm trees on the beach | Source: Pexels
It had everything: a private pool, stunning views of the ocean, and enough space to rival a boutique resort. It cost more than we planned, but we figured it was our way of sending Brooke into her new life with love.
The morning after they arrived, my phone buzzed just as I was pouring my coffee. Seeing Brooke’s name pop up, I smiled and answered cheerfully, “Hey, sweetheart! How’s paradise?”
Her tone was sharp, almost accusatory. “Dad’s there too, right? Put me on speaker.”
I frowned but obliged. “Sure. What’s going on?”
A startled woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney
Gary leaned over the table, mouthing, “What’s wrong?” I shrugged and tapped the speaker button.
“What’s wrong?” Brooke’s voice rose, dripping with indignation. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong, Dad. This villa. It’s tiny!”
Gary blinked. “Tiny? It’s over eight hundred square meters, Brooke.”
She scoffed. “Exactly. Barely. I mean, Mason and I were expecting something more… spacious. And the pool? It’s a joke. I can only do like three strokes before hitting the edge.”
I exchanged a glance with Gary, his face slowly turning crimson. I held up a hand to calm him.
An angry man | Source: Midjourney
“And don’t even get me started on the beach!” Brooke continued, her voice rising with every word. “It’s a whole five-minute walk! Who does that to newlyweds? You couldn’t find a place with direct beach access? Honestly, Dad, it’s like you don’t care.”
Gary’s jaw tightened, but I gently squeezed his arm. “Brooke,” I said, keeping my voice steady, “we spent a lot of time picking this villa. It has great reviews. I thought you’d love it.”
A closeup shot of a person holding a bank card and surfing the internet | Source: Pexels
“Well, you thought wrong. And the sun here? It’s not even as golden as it looked on Instagram. Everything feels… underwhelming. I can’t believe you guys are so cheap.”
Gary exploded, slamming his hand on the table. “Cheap? Do you have any idea how much we spent on this trip? Not to mention your wedding! You’re being ungrateful, Brooke!”
She huffed on the other end of the line. “You know what, Dad? Forget it. Clearly, you don’t understand.”
An upset young woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
The call ended abruptly, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Gary paced the kitchen, muttering under his breath, his fists clenched. “I can’t believe her. After everything we’ve done—her wedding, her honeymoon—this is how she treats us?”
“Hon,” I interrupted softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not worth losing our cool over. I have an idea.”
He stopped pacing and stared at me. “What are you thinking?”
I gave him a small, knowing smile. “Trust me. Let’s show her that gratitude is a two-way street.”
And with that, I began to plan.
A woman smiles softly while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
If Brooke wanted to play the “cheap” card, I was about to show her what that actually looked like.
I picked up my phone and dialed the villa’s management. When the receptionist answered, I explained the situation. “Hi, this is Marianne. My husband and I booked a premium villa for a honeymoon stay. Unfortunately, there’s been a change of plans. I need to cancel the remainder of the stay and downgrade the reservation.”
The woman on the other end sounded confused. “Downgrade, ma’am? I don’t follow. Could you clarify?”
A female receptionist talking on the phone | Source: Freepik
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Please find the most modest, no-frills room you have—no private pool, no chef, and absolutely no ocean view. Do you understand?”
She hesitated before saying, “Yes, of course. We have a basic standard room in the adjoining hotel. Would that work?”
“That’s perfect,” I replied, a smirk spreading across my face. “One more thing. I’d like to be notified when the guests are informed of the change.”
The manager hesitated again. “That’s… unusual, but I’ll see what I can do.”
Gary shook his head as I hung up. “You’re ruthless.”
A man smiles while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
“Just tired of being taken for granted,” I said with a shrug.
A few hours later, the call I’d been waiting for came in. I put the phone on speaker so Gary could hear.
“This is the villa management,” the voice began. “We regret to inform you that your current reservation has been modified. You’ll need to relocate to a standard room at the hotel next door.”
“What?!” Brooke’s voice shrieked through the phone. “There must be some mistake! We’re in the honeymoon suite. My dad and stepmom paid for this!”
An angry young woman at the beach | Source: Midjourney
“I’m afraid there’s no mistake,” the manager said politely. “The new booking reflects their updated request.”
Brooke’s tone turned icy. “Updated request? What are you talking about?”
I stifled a laugh, covering my mouth. Gary was shaking his head, grinning ear to ear.
Moments later, my phone buzzed, and I saw Brooke’s name flashing on the screen. I answered calmly. “Hi, Brooke.”
A closeup shot of a woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels
“Marianne!” she screeched. “What is going on? We just got a call saying we’re being moved from our villa to some awful little hotel room! Fix this right now!”
“Oh, that,” I said, feigning surprise. “Firstly, it’s not your villa, sweetheart—it was booked for you. And since you thought it was too ‘cheap,’ I figured a more modest place might better suit your expectations. After all, your dad and I wouldn’t want to embarrass you with our low standards, now would we?”
“You can’t be serious!” she yelled, her voice cracking with frustration. “This place is a dump!”
A small hotel room | Source: Pexels
“Is it?” I replied, keeping my tone light. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Well, maybe now you’ll appreciate what you had. Gratitude, Brooke. It’s an important lesson.”
Her screeches could be heard across the ocean. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me, Marianne! Mason and I are stuck here. Where’s Dad?”
Gary, who had been listening quietly, leaned toward the phone. “Brooke, enough. We’ve spent years supporting you, giving you the best of everything. And this is how you repay us? By complaining about the brightness of the sun and the size of a pool? Grow up.”
A woman soaking in the swimming pool | Source: Pexels
“I don’t need a lecture, Dad. I’m not a little girl anymore!” Brooke snapped.
“No,” Gary said firmly. “What you need is a reality check. And your stepmom just gave you one.”
She let out an exasperated groan. “You’re ruining my honeymoon!”
“I think you ruined it yourself,” I said evenly. “When you decide to be grateful for what you have, maybe things will start looking brighter—even that ‘meh’ sun.”
With that, I hung up. I glanced at Gary, who was staring at me in stunned silence.
“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
A woman raises an eyebrow while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
“Remind me never to get on your bad side,” he said with a laugh.
We didn’t hear from Brooke for the rest of the week, and honestly, it was a relief. When she finally called again, her tone was subdued.
“Hi, Marianne. Hi, Dad.”
“Brooke,” Gary said cautiously. “How are you?”
There was a pause before she replied. “I… I just wanted to say I’m sorry. For how I acted. The hotel room was awful, but… it made me realize how much effort you both put into everything you’ve done for me. I guess I’ve been a little… ungrateful.”
A young woman looks apologetic while sitting alone | Source: Midjourney
Gary softened, his voice kind but firm. “A little?”
“Okay, a lot,” she admitted, her voice small. “I’ll do better. I promise.”
I smiled, glancing at Gary, who nodded. “We appreciate that, Brooke,” I said gently. “We just want you to understand the value of what you have—and the people who love you.”
“I do now,” she said quietly. “Thanks for everything. Really.”
When the call ended, Gary wrapped his arm around my shoulder, his expression a combination of relief and pride. “Well,” he said softly, “you did it. I think she finally gets it.”
A man smiles softly while looking at someone | Source: Midjourney
“We did it,” I said with a smile, leaning into him. “Sometimes, people just need a wake-up call—a little taste of their own medicine. Even our kids.”
Gary chuckled, his tone lighter now. “I’m just glad it didn’t blow up into something worse.”
“Me too,” I murmured, resting my head against his shoulder. For the first time in days, the tension lifted, and I allowed myself to breathe.
A loving couple | Source: Midjourney
What do you think? Was my approach a wise lesson in gratitude, or did I take things a step too far?
While you’re thinking about the answer, here’s another story to keep you entertained: Grandparents are often the source of unconditional love and generosity, but what happens when that kindness is met with entitlement? These three unforgettable stories reveal the lengths loving grandparents went to teach their grandkids about gratitude, respect, and life’s bigger picture.
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.
The Mysterious Reason Why Zac Efron Moved to a Different Country and Changed His Lifestyle
Zac Efron has been a globetrotter since gaining fame, often jetting off for both business and pleasure. Despite this, he maintained his California roots, his birthplace, and his hometown. However, everything took an unexpected turn when he opted to spend more time overseas, leading him to rethink his lifestyle in search of genuine happiness.
He lived most of his life in the United States.
Originally from San Luis Obispo, in California, Zac Efron spent the majority of his life in the United States, having grown up close to the heart of Hollywood. Despite this, his parents were never involved in the entertainment business. Still, he took his first steps into that world early on in his life. His journey in acting and singing began during his time at Arroyo Grande High School in the early 2000s, with a drama teacher playing a pivotal role in connecting him to an agent.
After he achieved success with teen flicks like the High School Musical trilogy and 17 Again(2009), he shifted into more dramatic roles in films such as The Greatest Showman(2017) and, more recently, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile(2019). It was this ever-growing filmography that allowed him to amass a net worth of around $25 million and allowed him to purchase a mansion in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, in 2013. He lived there for seven years until he no longer felt like it was the right place for him.
So, what happened to Zac Efron to make him change his mind? Keep reading to find out.
His L.A. house had everything to offer, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.
The 36-year-old actor put his Los Feliz home up for sale in December 2020, and the listing made public the house’s astounding features. The property, which is nestled against the Hollywood Hills and located in a prestigious neighborhood filled with plenty of celebrity residents, offers breathtaking views, accentuated by walls of glass, terraces, and numerous outdoor spaces that offer panoramic vistas of the city below.
With five bedrooms and five bathrooms within its 5.455-square-foot layout, the main level includes a living area, dining room, chef’s kitchen adjoining a family room, and a master suite with a spa-like bathroom. But that’s not all!
Additionally, it has three bedrooms with bathrooms downstairs, along with a separate one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse. It also features amenities such as a gym, media room, game room, and security cameras, and the outdoor space includes view decks suitable for outdoor dining and lounging.
So, with all its potential, it wasn’t shocking that it sold in only a few months, despite the hefty price tag. In May 2021, the house sold for $5.3 million. Albeit below the initial asking price of $5.9 million, it still marks a profitable venture for Efron, as he paid around $4 million when he first purchased the property.
He fell in love with a different country.
In 2020, Efron made a move that had a deep impact on him — he relocated to Byron Bay, Australia. Back then, he still owned the Los Feliz mansion, so many thought it was just a temporary home. The fact that he lived out of a van, before buying a property in the Australian beachside town also led many to believe nothing much could come of the move.
However, he shot the second season of his Netflix documentary series Down to Earththere, which allowed him to spend over a year with the Aussies. Eventually, he did return to the US to enjoy quality time with his family, but it wasn’t long before he was once again on Australian ground. This time, it was to shoot Ricky Stanicky, a movie in which he co-stars with John Cena and that has yet to have a set date for its debut.
But a special situation might have sealed the deal for his ever-growing bond with the country. Shortly after he moved to Australia, Efron found love. He met Vanessa Valladares, a waitress at the Byron Bay General Store & Cafe, in June 2020. They began dating and eventually spent Christmas and New Year’s together in Australia. Although the couple has since called it quits, the relationship might have been the final trigger of Efron’s decision to move permanently from the US, as he then put his L.A. home on the market.
Finally, a source close to the actor revealed in January 2021, that Efron already considered Australia «home.»
The actor doesn’t think Hollywood is a healthy place to live in.
The actor had previously expressed his intention to move out of Hollywood, though, and it was precisely in a scene from Down to Earth. In the fourth episode, he candidly shared his desire to move away from the Hollywood scene and the lifestyle associated with it, and emphasized that it didn’t contribute in any way to a «long, happy, mentally-sound life.»
Curiously, what happened to Zac Efron also happened to Chris Hemsworth, in which both actors decided to move to Australia so they could distance themselves from the hecticness of Hollywood. Although Hemsworth himself is Australian, his mindset was similar to that of Efron.
In 2016, Hemsworth, known for his role as Thor in several Marvel movies, relocated his family from Los Angeles to Byron Bay. The 40-year-old similarly expressed a wish to escape the suffocating nature of being constantly surrounded by the entertainment industry. Opting for a more tranquil lifestyle, as of 2023, he and his family reside in a $20 million mega-mansion in Byron Bay’s hinterland, which they view as a healthier environment for their children to grow up in.
Zac Efron isn’t the only celebrity who decided to move to a new home. Many others did as well, and they spared no expenses to buy the luxury house of their dreams. We listed a few of the most expensive celebrity homes here and showed what makes them extraordinary.
Preview photo credit Down to Earth / The Nacelle Company and co-producer, zacefron / Instagram
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