They say neighbors can become either friends or foes—I never expected mine to turn into both in a single week. What started as a simple favor turned into a full-blown betrayal and a messy revenge that neither of us will forget.

After my husband, Silas, walked out on me and our two kids six years ago, I’d been holding things together alone. I’m Prudence, 48, a remote call center worker and single mom. Life isn’t easy, but I do what I can. So when my new neighbor, Emery, asked me to clean her house after a party and promised $250, I agreed.

Cleaning that disaster took two full days—bottles, food, trash, you name it. But when I went over to collect payment, Emery straight-up lied and said we never made a deal. I was stunned. After she blew me off, I sat fuming at home… until I remembered she’d forgotten to take back her spare key.

I made a quick run to the dump, loaded my trunk with trash, and went to her house. With the key she swore I never had, I dumped garbage all over her spotless home. When she showed up screaming, I calmly said, “How could I get in? We never had an agreement, right?” She was speechless. That night, justice didn’t just feel sweet—it felt earned.