When my cousin crashed our rental car, leaving me with a $5,000 bill, I spent months trying to get her to pay me back. Just as I gave up, I saw her flaunting her ‘success’ on social media and discovered I wasn’t the only one she owed. Karma caught up to her, and I got a front-row seat!

Debra, my reckless cousin, racked up a huge damage charge on our rental car during a family holiday. As the rental was under my name, I got stuck with the bill. For months, Debra dodged my calls and made empty promises to repay me, all while posting about her lavish lifestyle online.

One day, I saw a photo of Debra with an expensive necklace, captioned, “Hard work pays off! #Blessed #LivingMyBestLife.” Furious, I noticed comments from others demanding their money back. It turned out Debra owed a lot of people.

I watched with grim satisfaction as her social media post turned into a battleground. Debra called me, sobbing about her creditors banding together and threatening legal action. I suggested she sell her necklace and other assets to pay off her debts. A week later, she handed me an envelope with my $5,000.

Debra looked defeated. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I’ve learned my lesson,” she said, tears streaming down her face.

I felt relief and pity. “Debra, it’s about trust and responsibility. I hope you change.”

In the weeks that followed, Debra sold her car and downsized her lifestyle. She started paying off her debts, showing signs of genuine change.

This ordeal taught me the importance of standing up for myself and demanding accountability. Sometimes, people need to face the consequences to truly change.