When Nicole’s stepmother called saying she had a special gift for her, Nicole couldn’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and skepticism. After all, their relationship had always been strained. But Nicole, hopeful that maybe this time things would be different, decided to go over, eager to see what the “priceless” gift could be.
When she arrived at her dad’s house, her father welcomed her warmly and mentioned that Susan, her stepmother, was sorting through old things in the basement. “She’s finally getting rid of some of her clutter,” he chuckled. “She said there’s something special for you down there.”
Nicole’s anticipation grew, and after a quick exchange, Susan emerged from the basement, with her dad following close behind, carrying the so-called gift—a couch. But not just any couch—it was a beat-up, stained, smelly relic from what seemed like a forgotten era. The faded fabric was torn, the cushions sagged, and a foul odor wafted through the air.
“Happy Birthday!” Susan beamed, as if presenting a treasure.
Nicole’s heart sank. This wasn’t a thoughtful gesture; it was a cruel joke. Her father, however, looked at her with hopeful eyes, clearly expecting her gratitude. Rejecting the “gift” would hurt him, and Susan knew it. Nicole swallowed her frustration, forcing a smile as she dialed her boyfriend, Derek, to come help.
Later, as Derek loaded the couch into his van, he raised an eyebrow. “This thing’s seen better days. What’s your plan for it?”
Nicole hadn’t quite figured that out. Her first instinct was to dump it, but then something in her shifted. She refused to let Susan’s petty gesture get the best of her. “I’m going to transform it,” she said, determined. “I’ll make this thing beautiful again.”
Thus began a project Nicole never expected to take on. Armed with cleaning supplies, fabric patches, and sheer willpower, she spent hours scrubbing, sewing, and deodorizing. The couch was a disaster, but slowly, through her hard work, it began to transform. The stains faded, the rips were patched, and the smell—after several rounds of cleaning—was mostly gone. She added her own flair with decorative buttons and new cushions she found at a thrift store, giving the couch a quirky, custom look.
By the end of the week, the once hideous piece of junk looked like a trendy, vintage sofa. Feeling proud of her work, Nicole posted it for sale online, half-jokingly pricing it at $5,000. To her astonishment, someone from a ritzy part of town contacted her the very next day, eager to buy it.
When the buyer, an artist named Maggie, came to pick up the couch, she was ecstatic. “This is perfect for my studio!” she gushed. “Why would you ever want to part with it?”
Nicole smiled, thinking about how far the couch had come. “Just redecorating,” she said. “I’m glad it’ll go to someone who appreciates it.”
Days later, however, Susan showed up at Nicole’s doorstep, furious. She had seen the online post and was livid that Nicole had made a profit. “That was my couch!” Susan hissed. “I want half the money—you owe me $2,500!”
Nicole crossed her arms, standing her ground. “You gave me that couch, Susan. It was practically garbage when you handed it over. I put in all the work to restore it, and now it’s worth something because of me.”
Fuming, Susan threatened Nicole before storming off, but Nicole didn’t flinch. She knew her dad would likely hear about this soon, but she was ready for that conversation. After all, she had turned Susan’s spiteful gift into a personal victory.
What would you have done in Nicole’s situation?
If you liked this story, you might enjoy another: “In-Laws Kicked Us Out of the House They Gifted After We Paid for Renovations — Then It Got Even Worse.”
