I thought lending my car to my daughter-in-law would be an opportunity to mend our strained relationship, but it backfired. She returned it battered, covered in scratches and a terrible smell, and when I confronted her, she lied, claiming the damage was already there. She refused to pay for the repairs, and what I did next left her feeling helpless.

I’m a 60-year-old woman who’s been living alone since my husband passed away five years ago after a tough battle with cancer. Nathan’s last words to me were to always look after my son, Toby, because he needed me. After Nathan’s death, Toby and I grieved together, but things changed when Toby introduced me to his new wife, Layla. Initially, she seemed kind, but her behavior quickly turned manipulative. She began siding against me in arguments with Toby, making me feel unwelcome in my own family.

One day, Layla asked to borrow my car, and I saw it as a chance to improve our relationship. A week later, she returned the car in awful condition, claiming it was already damaged. Toby, blindly siding with her, accused me of being unreasonable. Feeling powerless, I decided to teach her a lesson in my own way. After an evening of preparation, I executed a plan that left their home in chaos. Since then, Layla hasn’t dared cross me again, and Toby has been more attentive.