When my sister-in-law, Janice, moved in after a plumbing disaster at her apartment, I knew it was going to be a challenge. From the start, she critiqued everything—my home, my cooking, and especially my skincare routine. Her constant snide remarks drained me, but I refused to stoop to her level, determined to remain kind and gracious.

Janice’s behavior quickly escalated. I noticed my expensive serums disappearing, my moisturizer running out faster than normal, and my carefully rationed vitamin C serum being used liberally. When confronted, she always claimed innocence, insisting she had her own products while clearly using mine. Her audacity peaked when she mocked my “drugstore skincare routine” during a family dinner, completely unaware of the theft.

After weeks of subtle theft and insults, I decided it was time for a lesson. I took an old empty serum bottle and filled it with a prescription-strength keratosis treatment—strong enough to irritate but not harm—and left it where she would see it.

The next morning, Janice discovered it. Her face turned red and blotchy, her eyes watering as she panicked in front of me. I calmly explained it was prescription-only, a reminder that personal boundaries matter. She finally realized I knew what she’d been doing all along.

After that, the atmosphere changed completely. Janice stopped using my products, and her comments about my home and routine ceased. She maintained a respectful distance until she and her husband returned to their repaired apartment, leaving me in peace.

Watching them leave, Arnold smiled knowingly. “You seem pleased with yourself,” he said. I shrugged innocently, happy that my plan had worked. Sometimes, a little karma is necessary to set things straight.