James and Ashley were in a long-distance relationship for nearly a year. When he visited New York, he picked pricey spots for dinner, but always had excuses to make her pay. On her birthday, after another excuse, Ashley knew she had to teach him a lesson. And oh, what a lesson it was!

They met in Paris and maintained their relationship with texts, video calls, and virtual dates. When James visited New York, Ashley was thrilled. But every time they dined out, he had an excuse: his card was blocked, he forgot to exchange currency, or his bank was unavailable due to time zones.

On Ashley’s birthday, James insisted on taking her to an exclusive restaurant. When the bill arrived, he claimed his account was frozen and asked Ashley to pay again. She decided enough was enough. She whispered to the waiter and then told James, “I’ve paid for my part. The restaurant kindly offered you a shift in the kitchen to cover yours.”

James’s face turned pale. Ashley stood up, radiating confidence. “Enjoy your evening, James. This party is over.”

The relationship didn’t survive, but Ashley’s clever retaliation became a legendary story among her friends, a reminder of the power of wit and standing up for oneself.