My Stepmom Took the Christmas Gift My Dad Left Me & Told Me I Didn’t Deserve It, Unaware It Was a Test
Christmas used to feel magical—twinkling lights, gingerbread cookies, stockings stuffed with treats. But this year, the magic was gone.
My dad remarried a few months ago, and his new wife, Melanie, had a talent for making me feel invisible. Her smiles were sharp, her comments sweeter than poison. I stayed quiet for Dad’s sake. He’d already lost my mom years ago, and I wanted him to be happy.
A week before Christmas, Dad gave me a stunning gift wrapped in gold paper and tied with a red velvet bow. He made me promise not to open it until Christmas morning. He was leaving for a work trip, but said he’d call first thing.
On Christmas morning, I crept downstairs and froze. Melanie was kneeling by the tree—my gift in her hands.
Before I could stop her, she tore it open.
Inside was a velvet ring box and a letter with her name on it. As she read, her face drained of color. Dad had written that this was a test. He’d overheard her bragging about taking my gift and wanted to see who she really was.
The ring inside was her engagement ring—the one that had belonged to my grandmother.
Then the front door opened. Dad stepped inside. He hadn’t gone anywhere.
Melanie packed and left that day.
That Christmas, Dad and I spent the day together—peaceful, honest, and whole again. Sometimes, karma really does arrive gift-wrapped. 🎄
