A few months ago, our new neighbors Maria and Luis moved in and created a gorgeous garden
When our new neighbors, Maria and Luis, moved in, they built a gorgeous garden. My wife, Teresa, became fast friends with Maria—they were inseparable. One night, Luis mentioned someone was destroying their plants. Teresa froze, gripping her wineglass.
Soon after, she began slipping out at midnight to “water our plants.” Suspicious, I followed her—and was horrified to see her in Maria’s yard, ripping up flowers and pouring something around their roses. I was too shocked to stop her.
The next day, Teresa acted as if nothing happened. I set up a camera, and two nights later, it confirmed my fears: she was sabotaging the garden again. When I confronted her, she broke down, saying she felt invisible because I always praised Maria’s garden, never hers.
I begged her to confess, but she threatened to leave if I told anyone. Then Luis called—he had caught her on his own camera. When I admitted everything, he was heartbroken but decided not to tell Maria. Together, we confronted Teresa. She confessed and promised to stop. We began marriage counseling.
A month later, Maria visited with a gift—a potted plant. She didn’t know the truth, but her kindness moved Teresa to tears. The two decided to grow matching gardens. Teresa poured her guilt into rebuilding ours, and soon it was blooming again.
Eventually, Maria and Teresa planted a shared flower bed along our fence. Watching them laugh together, I realized how envy can destroy what love builds—and how forgiveness can make it grow again.
