Jess couldn’t shake the unease when her usually distant mother-in-law, Debbie, gave her a pair of expensive yellow heels for her birthday.
Though grateful, she couldn’t ignore the suspicious glint in Debbie’s eyes. But it wasn’t until a business trip that the true significance of the shoes became clear.
Debbie had always made subtle digs—mocking Jess’s “practical” shoes and frequently bringing up Arthur’s ex. Jess hoped wearing the new heels on her trip would smooth things over, but it quickly turned uncomfortable.
At airport security, the shoes felt tight, and when Jess removed them for the conveyor belt, the TSA officer’s alarmed reaction made her stomach drop.
A small, plastic-wrapped package was discovered under the insole. While it wasn’t illegal, she was told she couldn’t take it on the flight.
On the plane, Jess’s mind raced. Why would Debbie do this? When she sent the package for testing, the results shocked her—mugwort, yarrow, and St. John’s Wort, herbs often linked to rituals designed to break ties.
Jess confronted Arthur, who was furious. It was clear Debbie had crossed a line. Together, they decided to stand firm—if Debbie wouldn’t apologize, she would no longer be a part of their lives.
In the end, Jess felt a sense of relief. Debbie’s manipulative actions had only strengthened their bond, and Jess now knew to be wary of gifts wrapped in deceit.
