I should have guessed that my birthday would turn into a disaster as soon as I saw my niece and nephew whispering like little villains, their eyes fixed on me. But nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.
The morning had started perfectly — fresh highlights, salon styling, flawless makeup, and a dress that made me feel like myself, not just someone’s daughter, sister, or aunt. I was turning 30, and I deserved to feel special.
From the back yard came the sounds of sizzling barbecue and clinking glasses. My father was busy with the grill, my mother was busy with the side dishes, and my brother, Mark, stood off to the side with a beer in his hand, laughing at something on his phone.
Mark’s children were there too.
Eva and Lily were running around, shouting and pushing their way past the guests. I watched them push my elderly neighbour, Mrs. Thompson, near the pool. Gasping for breath, she barely managed to stay on her chair.
I immediately turned to their mother, Jessica. Surely she would say something? But instead, she just laughed. ‘Oh, kids will be kids!’ As for Mark, he chuckled without even looking up.
I clenched my jaw. Breathe, Liv. It’s your birthday. I tried to let it go. True, but then I noticed something. Eva and Lily huddled together, whispering and giggling. Eva was holding her phone, clearly recording something. Ethan crouched slightly, like a sprinter ready to start.
And then I understood. They were going to push me in. My gaze darted to Jessica. She saw them and just… smirked. I took a deep breath and decided to play along. As soon as they lunged, I stepped aside.
SWOOSH.
Eva and Lily fell into the pool, flailing their arms, their eyes wide with shock.
Silence. Then—
‘HOW COULD YOU LET THEM FALL?!’
Jessica’s scream pierced the party. She rushed forward, her face red, her eyes fixed on me as if I had committed a crime.
I blinked. ‘Let them? They tried to push me.’
She didn’t even look at the children. She didn’t check to see if they were okay. Her hands flew to her head.
‘Their iPhones!’ she wailed. ‘Do you have any idea how much they cost?’
I stared at her. ‘Maybe you should have been watching the children instead of laughing?’
Mark finally looked up, saw the wet children, and sighed. ‘This sucks.’
I handed Eva and Lily towels, but Jessica was still furious. ‘This is your fault, Olivia! You knew they would fall!’
I laughed dryly. ‘Yeah, and you knew they were going to push me. Should I have just let it happen?’
Jessica shook her head mockingly. ‘Unbelievable.’
‘No, you are, Jessica,’ I replied.
I turned away, picked up my drink, and took a big gulp.
Happy bloody birthday to me!
The morning after my disastrous birthday, I woke up with difficulty, still annoyed by everything that had happened. I grabbed my phone and squinted at the screen, hoping to see a funny meme or a belated birthday message. Instead, I saw a message from Jessica.
It was a link.
Curious, I clicked on it, and my eyes widened. It was the Apple Store page for two brand new iPhones — the most expensive models. My stomach churned as I scrolled down to see the price.
Then her message appeared.
Jessica: Since you let them fall, you need to replace them. It’s YOUR fault.
I sat up straight, blinking in confusion. Was this some kind of joke?
Me: You can’t be serious.
The speech bubbles appeared almost instantly.
Jessica: You’re a grown woman. You should have just let them push you inside. It’s not like you’re going to melt.
I let out a dry, humourless laugh. Utter insolence. Did she really think I was responsible for her children’s phones because I didn’t let them push me into the pool?
I stopped pretending to be polite.
Me: Don’t you dare try to make me feel guilty.
She didn’t respond.
I took that as a victory, threw my phone on the nightstand, and went about my business, thinking that this ridiculous situation was over.
But I was wrong. The next day, in the afternoon, my doorbell rang. When I opened it, I saw Jessica.
With balloons.
For a split second, I thought she had come to apologise, perhaps even to make amends for her behaviour. But then I noticed the car behind her — Mark was unloading jewellery from the boot.
And then I remembered. A week ago, before everything went to hell, we had agreed that I would celebrate Ava’s birthday at my house. By the pool.
Jessica’s smile was as smug as ever. ‘Why do you look so confused? We’re here for the party!’
My blood boiled.
I folded my arms. ‘Do you seriously think you can demand money from me one day and then come back the next and expect me to throw a party for your child?’
Jessica sighed dramatically, as if I were the difficult one. ‘Well, yes,’ she said, as if it were obvious. ‘You still owe us for the phones, but that’s separate.’