Two days. That’s how long I had to stew in my anger, biting my tongue while Aaron acted like nothing happened. I didn’t confront him right away—not because I was weak, but because I was *patient*. I wanted him to feel comfortable, to believe he got away with it.
And then, the perfect opportunity landed in my lap.
Aaron had been sulking about wanting a new gaming headset. He had whined about it for weeks, dropping hints every time we passed an electronics store. So when he sent me a link to the exact model he wanted, I smiled and texted back:
*”Surprise! Just ordered it for you. It’ll be delivered in two days. Love you, babe.”*
He was thrilled.
For two days, he was extra sweet—washing dishes, rubbing my feet, even asking how my day was. Oh, he was laying it on *thick*.
And then, delivery day arrived.
The doorbell rang, and Aaron rushed to grab the package. He tore it open like a kid on Christmas morning—only to freeze when he saw what was inside.
Instead of the $300 headset, it was a *flip phone*. The cheapest, ugliest one I could find.
His face twisted in confusion. “What the hell is this?”
I smirked. “Oh, that’s the phone *your mom* can use after you return the iPhone you bought her with *my* money.”
He blinked. “W-what?”
I crossed my arms. “You stole from me, Aaron. You didn’t even ask. You took my *bonus*—money I worked my ass off for—to spoil your mother. And you thought I wouldn’t find out?”
His mouth opened and closed, searching for an excuse.
“You want that headset? Return the iPhone. Get my money back. *Then* we’ll talk.”
He stammered, “But… but it was a gift—”
“And so was your trust,” I cut in. “Which you just threw in the trash.”
He had no choice. Under my watchful eye, he called Ruth and told her she had to return the phone. As expected, she *lost* it—screaming about how I was controlling, ungrateful, and how Aaron *should* have married someone who respected his mother.
I just smiled, listening to her rant. When she finally calmed down, I sweetly added, “Oh, and Ruth? Since you’re such a *loving mother*, I assume you’ll be more than happy to cover your son’s gaming headset, right?”
Silence.
Yeah. That’s what I thought.
Aaron never tried stealing from me again.
