My Stepsister Asked Me to Make Bridesmaid Dresses — Then Refused to Pay Me Until Karma Hit Back
When my stepsister Jade asked me to sew six custom bridesmaid dresses for her wedding, I agreed, hoping it might bring us closer. I spent $400 from our baby savings on materials and worked for weeks, juggling late nights and a newborn. But when I delivered the finished dresses, Jade brushed off my request for payment, calling it my “gift” and saying I was “just at home anyway.”
The dresses were a hit, earning more compliments than Jade’s own gown. Later, I overheard her telling a friend how easy it was to “manipulate” me into free labor. I was furious, but I stayed quiet — until her dress tore just minutes before her first dance. In tears, she begged me to fix it. I could’ve refused, but I didn’t. With my sewing kit, I saved her from public embarrassment.
That night, during her wedding speech, Jade surprised everyone. She publicly apologized, admitted she had used my baby fund, and handed me an envelope with full payment — plus extra for my son. For the first time, she acknowledged my work and worth — not out of obligation, but gratitude.
In the end, I didn’t need revenge — just skill, patience, and the strength to take the high road. Sometimes, dignity speaks louder than confrontation, and in this case, it made all the difference.