A Strange Shoe Box and a Spooky Note: My Birthday Celebration Took a Negative Turn
A box containing shoes and a note saying, “THE ONE WHO WILL HAVE THE SAME SHOES AT YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY TODAY WANTS TO RUIN YOUR LIFE,” was discovered on my doorstep.
Adelaide’s birthday takes an unexpected turn when she comes home to find a mysterious gift. Within are a pair of gorgeous shoes and a chilling warning that set the tone for an evening full of shocking revelations.
I was feeling delighted and melancholy on my 35th birthday morning. Birthdays are something I’ve always celebrated, but this year felt different. Thinking James would leave me a message, I reached for my phone.
Nothing. I sighed at his morning texts, which usually made me smile. He was on a business trip, so he wouldn’t be back until later in the evening for the party. I threw off the covers, feeling the emptiness of the house without him. Just as I was about to get out of bed, the doorbell rang, jolting me out of my reverie.
“How could someone be that early?” I mumbled as I reached for my robe.
With a limp, I limped over to the front door and peered through the spyhole. No one. My heart missed a beat, but I opened the door. There was a sleek black box that looked like it belonged on the doorstep.
“How in the world?” Whispering, I looked up and down the empty street. Not a sign of anybody.
When I picked up the box, I could feel its weight. Inside was the most exquisite pair of high heels I’ve ever seen. I looked at them, a little excited and confused.
I exhaled and ran my fingertips over the leather, saying, “These are stunning,” “But…who would send me shoes?”
Something flitted out when I lifted one of the sneakers. Something written. My eyes scanned the text as I unfolded it, and soon my joy subsided.
“THE ONE WHO WILL HAVE THE SAME SHOES AT YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY TODAY WANTS TO RUIN YOUR LIFE.”
“What?!” Reading the note again, I gasped. A chilly shiver ran down my spine.
“Is this some kind of a joke?” With my head racing, I muttered. I glanced at the shoes and then back at the note. “Who would act in this manner? And why?”
With shaky hands, I reached for my phone and dialed James. The phone kept ringing until it reached his voicemail.
It’s me, James. Something odd has transpired. I must speak with you. Kindly give me a call back as soon as you receive this.”
I hung up, hugging the phone close to my breast as though it would shelter me from the fear that was growing in my core.
“There’s no logic to this,” I mumbled to myself. “Who would send something like this?”
Who would ever wish to do me harm? My thoughts were racing, thinking over every discussion I had with my loved ones. I invited only those I trusted and close relatives to the celebration this evening.
One thing was certain amidst the thousand thoughts that were racing through my head: this birthday had just taken a turn I never could have imagined.
I tried to focus on getting everything ready for the celebration, but I couldn’t get rid of the uneasy feeling. The smell of cooking and the soft glow of string lights filled the house, but that note was all I could think about.
It appeared as though a dismal cloud was looming over a wonderful day. When I slid into the shoes, I was astounded by their stunning appearance. Upon checking the time, I started to tally the minutes until James’s return home. I needed him here. It took a stranger to bring out my exaggerations.
When at last he opened the door, I nearly collapsed into his arms. He gave me a tight hug and murmured, “Happy birthday, my love,” in a gentle voice.
“James.” I opened my mouth, but my voice faltered. Is there any way I could tell him this without seeming crazy?
He pulled back, studying my face. “What is incorrect? You seem slovenly. Has anything happened recently?
I attempted to dismiss it by shaking my head. “I’m doing alright. Simply exhausted from organizing everything. That is all.
He disregarded the clearly dissatisfied arch of James’s eyebrow. “Well, you performed an excellent job. Everything seems to be in perfect condition.
I pretended to laugh. “I’m appreciative. All I want is for tonight to go smoothly.”
“And it will,” he laid a kiss on my forehead to soothe me. “Now, shall we begin this celebration?”
As the guests began to arrive, I tried to relax, but every time someone new walked in, my eyes darted to their feet. I watched, wondered, and waited, nervous. Which one of them was it? Were they here, before our very eyes? Then the door opened, and I saw her. Emily.
My heart fell out of my chest like a stone.
“Emily?” With barely a murmur over my lips, I spoke. She was wearing the exact same footwear.
“Happy birthday, Adelaide!” Emily chirped, completely unaware of the panic building within of me. I was barely able to respond when she came up to hug me.
Even though I thought I was going to lose it, I attempted to be humorous as I said, “Oh dear.” “Our sneakers are exactly the same! What are the odds?
Emily’s smile momentarily faltered, causing my head to spin. Yes, in fact. I used my first paycheck from last month to purchase them. Are these not magnificent?
“They are,” I murmured in a strained tone. “You’ve never worn them before?” I asked.
With a sideways glance at them, she said, “No, this is the first time.” “I intended to keep them for a special occasion.”
I, of course, nodded and mustered a second smile. But inside, my head was racing. Or is that just a coincidence?
My phone vibrated in my fingers as she started speaking with one of the other visitors. I removed it and stared at the screen. an unknown amount. My fingers hovered over the screen as I contemplated whether or not to open the message.
Just one more buzz. I could no longer ignore it. My heart was pounding when I read the message.
My cheeks stopped bleeding as I looked at the photo on my phone of James and Emily selecting the shoes in a shoe store. They smiled and hugged, looking like a couple in every way. As I read the next message, my heart was pounding in my chest.
“Hello, I’m Samantha, the sales assistant at the shoe store. Two days ago, I overheard this man and this woman conversing. He said, “My love, I can finally enjoy your company.” Not even my stupid husband knows that I’m the happiest man alive at the moment—with someone else. When you wear these shoes to her birthday celebration, you’ll look stunning. And when she goes to sleep at midnight, I’ll be wanting to take them off of you.
I looked at the message for a moment before deciding to go on. “I picked everything up extremely quickly. He was not being honest with you. Fortunately, while waiting for his partner, he misplaced his phone. I found and saved a contact that had the name “WIFE.” Thanks to my investigator acquaintance, I was able to locate your address. That’s when I had the inspiration for the sneakers. You are not deserving of being duped.
My respiration came to an end. The world seemed to tilt when the full weight of the betrayal hit me. my spouse. My brother. The two people I trusted the most were turning on me together. But instead of crumbling, something inside of me stiffened. If they really meant to destroy my life, they were going to find out exactly how badly I could ruin theirs.
I put my phone back in my pocket, smiled calmly, and walked over to James and Emily.
“Hey, everybody!” I shouted, drawing the guests’ attention. My voice was steady, maybe too steady.
“I value everyone’s attendance this evening. Before we actually get started, I’ve planned a short game. It’s called “Guess the Surprise.””Would you please come up here, Emma and James?”
They were staring at me like I was crazy, but they followed me to the center of the room. They were trying to look casual, but I could tell they were uncomfortable.
When I connected my phone to the Bluetooth speaker, my heart was pounding, but I maintained my composure.
“Well, as you are all aware, I like surprises,” I said. My dear husband and sister have been working on a small surprise for me, as it happens.
Emily’s face went pale, and James shivered. They had no idea what lay ahead of them. A button was pressed, and the sound of their conversation from the shoe store suddenly filled the space.
The words echoed through the room like a thunderclap. As everyone turned to look at James and Emily, the audience gasped and started talking among themselves. I just stood there, calm, watching their features fade.
James sprang at me, desperation shining in his eyes. Adelaide, please stop! Please give the phone to me.
But I made a faster move, retracted, and held it just out of reach.
“Oh, don’t worry, dear,” I said, sounding false and pleasant. “Tonight, everyone will have the complete experience.”
The video kept playing, exposing every little facet of their betrayal. When it finally ended, the only sound in the space was the ticking of the wall clock.
At last, I spoke, sounding as cold as ice. “You two thought you could ruin my reputation? destroy my life? I won’t be the one to lose everything tonight, though.
I turned to face James and our eyes locked. “James, please go out of here before I wake up tomorrow morning. You should find another place to go since you won’t be staying here.
Emily was crying softly now, tears streaming down her cheeks, when I turned to face her.
“And you, Emily… You have betrayed me in the most horrible way possible. I hope we don’t cross paths or communicate again. I’ll make sure everyone in your family is aware of your actual personality.
I turned on my heel at that point and walked away, leaving them standing there in their identical shoes, humiliated and exposed. Their greatest fear had become their greatest desire—to be the center of attention.
After the last guest left, I grabbed my coat and ran, determined to find Samantha. I owed some appreciation to the woman who’d saved me from this horror.
I found her as she was closing the shoe store; she looked surprised to see me.
My voice was filled with genuine gratitude as I said, “Thank you.” “My life was saved by you.”
Samantha smiled, her eyes full of kindness. “On sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is the truth.”
I nodded and took a big breath as the weight of the day finally left me.
“Revenge is sweet, especially when served in the perfect pair of shoes,” I shot back with a little smile.
