When Jeremy and his wife, Nina, returned home from a relaxing vacation, they were met with an unwelcome surprise: Ted, Jeremy’s careless older brother, had taken over their house. The living room was in complete disarray, with beer cans, dirty clothes, and a lingering unpleasant odor. Ted was lounging on their couch as if he owned the place, completely indifferent to the mess around him.
The Unexpected Guest
“Why are you in my house?” Jeremy asked, his frustration bubbling. Nina, unimpressed, rolled her eyes, making it clear that Jeremy needed to fix the situation.
Ted, unbothered by the chaos he caused, shrugged and explained that their parents thought it would be easier for him to move in while they were away. “You’ve got all this space,” he reasoned, “and it’s not like you’re always home.”
Family Tensions Rise
Jeremy was shocked by Ted’s audacity and the lack of consideration shown by their parents. When Jeremy called his mom, her response left him even more frustrated. She defended Ted, stating, “He needed a place to stay. You don’t have kids yet, so what’s the harm?”
Jeremy tried to remain calm, but it was hard not to point out that Ted, at 42, should be taking care of himself rather than freeloading off others. However, his parents were adamant that Jeremy should help Ted, simply because “he’s family.”
A Ticking Clock
Fed up, Jeremy decided to take action. However, before he could, Nina declared that she was leaving to stay with her sister until Ted was gone. With a week to get Ted out, Jeremy made it his mission to teach his brother a lesson.
The Subtle Sabotage Begins
Jeremy’s plan was simple but effective. First, he disconnected the Wi-Fi, knowing that Ted relied on it for his daily routine of binge-watching shows. Ted complained, but Jeremy feigned innocence, saying the internet was just “acting up.”
Next, he cut off the hot water, making Ted’s beloved long showers unbearable. Each time Ted grumbled, Jeremy would casually mention that the plumbing must be faulty.
To further frustrate his brother, Jeremy stocked the fridge with only the healthiest foods, knowing full well that Ted despised anything that wasn’t greasy or fried. Ted groaned every time he opened the fridge, feeling as though he was being starved.
As the final touch, Jeremy began blasting music at 6 a.m. while exercising on the treadmill, ensuring Ted was awake and irritated. Ted’s discomfort grew with each passing day.
Ted’s Breaking Point
By day five, Ted was at his wit’s end. “I can’t stay here,” he fumed. “No Wi-Fi, no hot water, no food I like. This is torture.”
Feigning sympathy, Jeremy responded, “I thought you’d be grateful to stay, Ted. You’re not even paying rent.”
Finally, Ted had had enough. He stormed out, dragging his belongings behind him, and declared that he was moving back to their parents’ house. Jeremy couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome.
Peace Restored
With Ted gone, Jeremy cleaned the house and prepared a meal for Nina. He called her, letting her know that the nightmare was over, and she happily agreed to return.
Jeremy’s final task was to inform his parents. “Ted’s out of my house, and he’s not coming back,” he told them. While his mother was furious, Jeremy stood firm. “If you want to keep coddling him, that’s your choice, but I’m done.”
A New Chapter for Ted
After leaving Jeremy’s house, Ted returned to their parents’ home, but they finally put their foot down. Ted was forced to transform the garage into his living space and get a job. While Ted blamed Jeremy for his predicament, Jeremy didn’t mind. He and Nina finally had their home—and their peace—back.
