For my birthday, my husband gave me an empty phone box. My mother-in-law filmed my reaction to her brand new iPhone. He laughed — until I gave the gift right back. 😱😱
I was turning 40 — a milestone I’d been planning for months. I decorated the house myself, set a beautiful table, invited close friends and family. The evening started perfectly: laughter, music, heartfelt toasts. For a while, I felt truly celebrated.
When it came time for gifts, I was especially hopeful. My old phone had recently taken a swim in the sink — courtesy of our toddler — and I’d secretly wished my husband would surprise me with a new one.
And then he approached me, grinning ear to ear, holding the unmistakable orange box. It had the logo, the weight, the promise. My heart jumped.
“Go on, open it,” he said, barely able to contain his laughter.
With trembling hands, I lifted the lid… and froze.
Empty.
No phone. No charger. No paperwork. Just an empty shell.
My husband doubled over with laughter. My mother-in-law, who’d been filming the entire thing, panned the camera over to her own brand-new iPhone — the one that was meant to be in that box.
“Get it?” he laughed. “Funny, right?”
The room went silent. Guests exchanged awkward glances. I swallowed hard, forcing a smile.
“Thanks,” I said, voice tight. “Very… original.”
But inside, something boiled.
Later, once the guests had left and my husband stepped outside to say goodbye, still pleased with himself, I moved quickly.
I gathered a few of his things — his toothbrush, charger, a few shirts, his razor — and calmly placed them in a bag by the front door.
Then I locked it.
Moments later, I heard him knocking.
“Hey, open up! I forgot my keys!” he called, still half-laughing.
I walked up to the door, calm and steady, and said loud enough for the hallway to hear:
“You can stay at your mom’s tonight. There’s an iPhone there, it’s fun, and they’re filming. Meanwhile, I’ll think about whether I need a clown living in this house.”
He stood there, stunned. Silent.
I went back to the living room, poured myself a glass of champagne, and for the first time that evening, I truly smiled.
