My husband thought he could book first class for himself and his mom while leaving me stuck in economy with the kids. But he wasn’t going to get away with that on my watch. Let’s just say his “luxury” flight took a wild turn and turned into a lesson he’ll never forget.

Hi, I’m Sophie. Let me tell you about my husband, Clark. He’s the type who’s always buried in work, always stressed, and convinced his job is the most important thing in the world. Sure, his job is demanding, but raising kids isn’t a cakewalk either. Recently, Clark took selfishness to a whole new level.

We were all set to visit his family for the holidays, a chance to unwind and make some fun memories with the kids. Clark said he’d handle the flight bookings, and I thought, “Great, one less thing to worry about!” But I had no clue what was about to happen.

At the airport, while I was juggling our toddler and a diaper bag, I asked, “Clark, where are our seats?” He was glued to his phone, barely looking up. “Oh, um, about that…” he muttered, avoiding eye contact.

A knot tightened in my stomach. “What do you mean, ‘about that’?”

He finally looked up with that grin I’ve come to dread. “Well, I managed to get an upgrade for me and Mom to first class. You know how she gets on long flights, and I really need to rest.”

I blinked, waiting for him to laugh and say it was a joke. But no joke came. I was stuck in economy with both kids while he and his mom enjoyed first class. The nerve! When I confronted him, he shrugged, “It’s just a few hours, Soph. You’ll be fine.”

Right then, his mother Nadia, all smiles, rolled up with her designer luggage. “Oh Clark, are we ready for our luxurious flight?” she smirked, basking in her triumph.

They strolled off to the first-class lounge, leaving me behind with two cranky kids and a burning desire for revenge. “Oh, it’ll be luxurious, alright,” I thought, as a deliciously petty plan began to form.

When we boarded, I saw Clark and Nadia already reclining in their plush seats, sipping champagne. Meanwhile, I wrestled with carry-ons and got the kids settled. As I buckled them in, I remembered something—Clark’s wallet. Earlier, while going through security, I had quietly slipped it into my purse. Now, it was time to have a little fun.

A couple of hours into the flight, the kids were asleep, and I had a front-row seat to Clark’s first-class extravagance. I watched as he ordered a lavish meal, complete with top-shelf liquor. But when it came time to pay, I saw him start to panic. He frantically searched his pockets, realizing his wallet was missing.

I could see the flight attendant standing there, waiting for payment, as Clark flailed his arms, his face going pale. “But I had it earlier… Can’t I just pay when we land?”

I bit back a smile and continued munching on my popcorn. This in-flight entertainment was better than anything on the screen.

Moments later, Clark walked down the aisle to economy, looking like a kid who’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Soph, I can’t find my wallet. Do you have any cash on you?”

I put on my best concerned face. “Oh no, that’s terrible! How much do you need?”

“Uh, about $1500,” he whispered, clearly mortified.

I stifled a laugh. “$1500? What did you order, a five-course meal and a bottle of vintage wine?”

“Look, it’s not important. Do you have it or not?”

I pretended to rummage through my purse. “I’ve got $200. Will that help?”

The look on his face was priceless. “I guess it’ll have to do,” he muttered.

As he turned to leave, I couldn’t resist. “Hey, doesn’t your mom have her credit card? I’m sure she’d be happy to cover it.”

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—he’d have to ask his mother to bail him out. His first-class experience was officially ruined.

The rest of the flight was deliciously awkward. Clark and Nadia sat in stony silence, their luxury experience thoroughly tarnished. Meanwhile, I savored my economy seat with a sense of sweet satisfaction.

As we disembarked, Clark was still muttering about his lost wallet, patting his pockets for the hundredth time. “Are you sure you didn’t leave it in first class?” I asked innocently.

“I already checked,” he growled, frustration written all over his face.

I smiled to myself as we walked out of the airport, his wallet safely tucked away in my purse. I wasn’t going to let him off the hook just yet. A little creative justice never hurt anyone.

So, next time your partner tries to leave you behind in economy while they live it up in first class, remember—a little turbulence might be just the lesson they need. After all, we’re all in this flight of life together.