My Neighbor Refused to Pay Me ($250) for Cleaning Her House as We Agreed — I Taught Her a Fair Lesson

Six years ago, when my husband, Silas, walked out, I never expected to be scrubbing countertops alone, wondering how I ended up like this.

I’m Prudence, 48, raising two kids while working remotely for a call center. Life hasn’t turned out as planned. Silas and I once dreamed of a future together, but he left, seeking “space” and never came back. I was left with our son, Damien, and baby daughter, Connie.

One day, while lost in thought, Connie asked for cereal, and Damien mumbled he was meeting a friend. Life continued, as I juggled responsibilities, grateful for the steady, but unfulfilling, job.

Then, Emery, a new neighbor, knocked. She looked exhausted and asked if I could clean up her trashed house in exchange for $250. I agreed, needing the extra money.

After two back-breaking days of cleaning, Emery denied ever offering to pay. Furious, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I collected garbage from a dump, returned to her spotless house, and made a mess, dumping trash all over.

That night, Emery came screaming at me, threatening to call the police. I calmly reminded her of her earlier words and left her speechless. I felt a strange satisfaction—it was a lesson learned. Emery wouldn’t be asking for favors again.