My father-in-law Richard lives with us, and he’s always trying to change things around the house. His latest obsession? A swimming pool.

He kept nagging, saying he was bored while my husband and I were at work and wanted to invite his friends over to swim. I told him repeatedly that our backyard was way too small for a pool. Plus, I had spent years nurturing my lawn and flower garden, which were my pride and joy.

But Richard was relentless. One weekend, my husband and I visited my parents. When we returned, I was greeted by the most shocking sight of my life.

My lawn and flower garden had been replaced by an enormous hole. Dirt was everywhere, and Richard stood proudly by the destruction. Seeing my shocked face, he sneered, “I’ve started the pool for you.

No need to thank me.”

I was furious but bit my tongue to avoid family drama. Richard was so smug, acting like he had done us a favor. But the next day, as the diggers continued their work, karma decided to pay Richard a visit.

Our neighbor Mrs. Jensen, with whom Richard had never gotten along, marched right up to Richard with a sweet smile on her face. Mrs.

Jensen smirked and called her friend, the city inspector. Within the hour he declared the pool illegal, ordered it filled, and slapped Richard with a fine. As workers backfilled the hole, they hit an old water pipe—water gushed, the yard flooded, and Richard slipped face-first into the mud.

His suit ruined, his pride drowned, he was stuck paying for the fine, repairs, and cleanup. Since then, he’s avoided “projects” and the word pool makes him scowl. My garden is slowly restored, and Mrs.

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