When Hannah’s sister-in-law manipulates her into paying an outrageous grocery bill, she feels cornered — but the story doesn’t end there. Hannah decides it’s time for Melissa to face consequences, and what follows ruins Melissa’s birthday and forces her to reevaluate her behavior.
I care about my sister-in-law, I really do, but she’s exhausting. High-maintenance, demanding, and nearly impossible to connect with sometimes. Still, because she married my brother, Brandon, I’ve always done my best to keep the peace.
Unfortunately, Melissa has always been someone who takes advantage of others. She’s been with my brother for a decade, and he still can’t see through her manipulative tendencies. Melissa has an uncanny ability to get things for free and expects everyone around her to cater to her whims.
Last month she invited me to go grocery shopping with her — but not at an ordinary store. She insisted we go to her favorite over-priced gourmet market.
“Oh, come on, Hannah,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “It’ll be fun to spend some quality time together!”
Since her birthday was coming up, I figured it was a good chance to bond and maybe choose a thoughtful gift.
Little did I know I was walking right into her trap.
When we stepped out of her car, she glanced at my shoes.
“Your shoes definitely aren’t made for hours of shopping,” she commented.
“I’ll survive,” I laughed, brushing it off.
We spent hours strolling through the aisles as she tossed item after item into the cart. Imported snacks. Lavish candles. Specialty treats. Half the things were pointless luxuries no one ever actually buys.
“Do you really need an entire set of these candles?” I asked as she dropped six different ones into the cart.
“Yes!” she said brightly, already reaching for more imported goods.
By the time we reached the checkout, the total flashed:
$1,470.
My mouth nearly hit the floor. But since it was her shopping trip, I didn’t question it… until she turned to me with wide eyes.
“Oh no!” she gasped. “Hannah, I think I left my wallet at home! Would you mind covering this? I’ll pay you back as soon as we get home.”
“Are you sure you need all this?” I asked. “It’s a ridiculous amount.”
“I’m planning for my birthday,” she insisted. “Of course I need it!”
I could afford it — that wasn’t the issue. The issue was whether I should pay for someone else’s haul of useless, overpriced things. But I didn’t want to cause a huge scene in the middle of the store, so I sighed and paid.
“I promise, Hannah!” she said as she walked out. “You’ll be reimbursed!”
Yet as soon as we reached the parking lot, she jumped into her car and drove off without even a thank-you.
Days passed. Then a week.
At family brunch, I finally brought up the money.
She laughed.
Actually laughed, then sipped her mimosa and said:
“Why are you being so greedy? Just consider it a birthday gift. You can afford it.”
I was stunned. Who treats family like that?
That was when I decided I needed to teach her a lesson she wouldn’t forget.
First, I knew Melissa had been bragging for weeks about a luxury car she planned to buy.
“It’s like the seats were sculpted for me, Hannah,” she said. “And guess what? Brandon is going to co-sign the loan so we can get it!”
“Why doesn’t your name go on the loan?” I asked.
She looked embarrassed.
“My credit is a mess. There’s no way the dealership will approve it,” she said. “But that’s why I have a husband!” she laughed.
I anonymously called the dealership.
“I’m interested in financing a similar car,” I said sweetly. “But my credit’s not great. How did you approve someone like Melissa ___?”
Their tone changed instantly.
Now they were concerned — and cautious.
They requested far more documentation from Melissa, extra references, bank statements — everything. She was furious about the delays.
At dinner one evening, she ranted:
“Why is this taking so long? I should have my car already!”
Brandon tried to calm her. “They said they need more paperwork. We just have to be patient.”
“Stupid formalities,” she muttered angrily.
Next, I reached out to my friend Jess, who works at an upscale bakery — the same one Melissa had ordered an extravagant birthday cake from.
“She has a habit of dodging payments,” I warned Jess. “Please protect your business. Get full payment upfront.”
Melissa was outraged.
“This is ridiculous!” she shrieked. “They’ve never asked for full payment before!”
“But you have the money, right?” Brandon asked.
“Of course I do! But that’s not the point, Brandon. It’s the principle!”
Then it was time for the next step.
“Brandon, can I use your Amazon account?” I asked innocently. “I want to buy a Kindle.”
He lit up, thrilled I asked for his help. “Sure! I’ll text you the login.”
I logged in.
Changed the password.
And waited.
Melissa sat on my couch later that day, attempting her usual online shopping spree — suddenly locked out of the account.
She spent hours yelling at customer service.
Later, when Brandon arrived:
“Amazon is useless!” she complained. “I can’t get into the account!”
“Maybe take a break from shopping,” he joked.
She shot him a deadly look.
“It’s almost my birthday, Brandon. I deserve nice things.”
I hid my grin behind my wine glass.
Finally, her birthday rolled around.
I spent the evening speaking to family and friends, explaining how she stuck me with a $1,470 bill and laughed in my face when I asked for repayment.
By the time cake cutting came, many guests had mysteriously left.
Her birthday “presents” ended up being:
▪️ a nearly empty party
▪️ a canceled car deal
▪️ a bakery demanding payment upfront
▪️ and a locked Amazon account
She looked around the half-empty living room, confused.
“Where is everyone?” she asked Brandon.
He shrugged. “I guess people left early?”
She frowned.
“It hasn’t even been an hour…”
Then came my birthday gift to her.
A card with a $14.70 gift card inside.
“For your next shopping trip. Happy Birthday, Melissa!”
She went absolutely silent — humiliated.
A few evenings later, I was enjoying a quiet cup of tea when Brandon called, sounding exhausted.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s Mel,” he sighed. “I don’t know what to do. She’s been acting so strange. And now, with everything you told everyone… I’m finally starting to see what I ignored.”
“I’m sorry,” I said gently. “But you needed to know the truth. She can’t keep using people and getting away with it.”
He paused.
“We need a serious conversation, she and I. And if she doesn’t change… divorce might be the only option.”
I let him talk, hoping he finally understood the woman he married.