My Sister Borrowed My New Car for a Day – What She Did to It Was Unforgivable

In my family, I’ve always been the one that everyone relies on. However, my sister turned it into a nightmare I never anticipated when I finally took care of myself.

Rachel is my name. My age is thirty-two. I’ve been the family’s responsible member for as long as I can remember. Before I recently purchased a new car, I seldom ever treated myself. Karma’s hand was forced after my sister misused it after borrowing it.

I had long since understood that if I wanted something, I had to earn it, so I started working while other kids were off riding their bikes or watching cartoons.

At 14, I was watching the neighbor’s children. I was working part-time as a grocery store clerk by the age of sixteen. I saved as much money as I could while balancing work, school, and college applications.

I never grumbled, but nothing came easily. I took pride in being the self-sufficient one.

And then Melissa.

At 28, she acts as though cleaning up after a party is someone else’s responsibility. Although we were raised in the same home, our rules were extremely different. Melissa was capable of crying her way out of any situation. She would need a new clothing if I wore one, and she would want the same toy if I had a new one.

She would get the identical shoes in two different colors even if I purchased a new pair. For a concert ticket, I would need to save for three months, and she would complain until our parents gave her the cash. She was reckless and always looked to someone else to save her, but she was never unkind.

Unfortunately, when it came to raising her or teaching her the same principles that they taught me, our parents always went for the easy route. In order to prevent arguments, they typically catered to her desires.

Even though my younger sister was pampered, I still adore her since she is my sister.

The birth of Melissa’s baby, Lily, somewhat altered the situation. My life is brightened by that young girl. I was reduced to mush the instant I held Lily. Now five years old, she never stops singing and laughing, and when she says “Auntie Rachel,” my heart melts.

Melissa is aware that I would do anything for her. She takes advantage of my frailty.

I believe that Lily loved me even more because I was unable to have children of my own. I could spend days talking about my niece. She has the biggest brown eyes that light up when she’s thrilled, and she’s loving and intelligent.

Lily made everything seem worthwhile, regardless of how challenging Melissa could be. I had no idea that my sister would utilize my affection for her daughter to exploit me severely before hurling it all back at me.

I finally achieved a long-awaited objective earlier this year: I purchased my ideal car. This came after over ten years of working hard at jobs and missing vacations. Now, I’m not the type of person who needs the most extravagant items to attract attention or who enjoys flaunting themselves.

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Thus, it was brand-new, but I didn’t pick a fancy car or anything. It was all mine, cherry red, dependable, safe, and spacious enough for road vacations. As a small token of appreciation for all of my hard work, it was the first large item I had ever purchased exclusively for myself.

In fact, I named it Rosie. I know it’s silly, but Rosie represented everything I’d worked so hard to accomplish after years of driving a clumsy old hand-me-down. That automobile was like a living creature to me! It reminded me of my first child.

I avoided parking in congested lots, cleaned the seats after each ride, and forbade anyone from eating inside.

Melissa called a day before my niece’s fifth birthday, approximately a month after I had taken Rosie home. I had a ton of work. I had to put in extra hours because I had a big client coming in that weekend. I felt awful because I had already told my sister that I would not be able to attend Lily’s birthday celebration.

Before the phone rung, the guilt was already gnawing at me.

Melissa didn’t say “Hi, sis” to me like she usually does. No, she sounded forceful this time, as if she had already made up her mind and was simply informing me.

“We need to get some kids and decorations for Lily’s party on Saturday. The typical chaos, you know.”

“Yeah, I really wish I could come and help, but I told you I’ve got that presentation and—”

Her words, “I know, I know,” interrupted. Here’s the thing, then. For the celebration, I’ll need your car. I have the children, the balloons, and the cake to load up. My automobile isn’t big enough. That’s all good with you? Lily is depending on you, after all.

I blinked, uncertain if I had heard correctly. “Sorry, what?”

I want to take a moment to mention that Melissa didn’t even offer congratulations when I told her about my recent acquisition. As if it were an unpleasant surprise, she truly replied, “Oh…,” but now she wanted to borrow it.

She said, “Your car,” as if I had forgotten I had one. “Rach, hurry up. My automobile is collapsing, you know. In addition, I am unable to accommodate Lily’s pals, presents, and other birthday requirements. Yours is flawless. And Lily will already be devastated by your absence. Allowing us to use your vehicle is the very least you can do.

I was offended by the way she stated it. As if I had already consented. As if it were clear.

“Melissa,” I started slowly, “I’ve just had it for a month, and it’s brand-new. I’m not at ease, and I don’t believe—”

She scolded, “Oh, don’t be dramatic,” “I take it that Lily is your favorite? You’ll say yes, of course, since you adore her.”

She went on, “You’re really going to say no?” after hearing my attempt to object. On the birthday of Lily? Rachel, God. What sort of aunt do you have?

The guilt was beginning to seep back in. I imagined Lily’s tiny voice inquiring as to Auntie’s absence. I knew I wouldn’t win, but I also knew Melissa was playing me. Not with Lily in the center of it.

Silently, “I have to work all weekend,” I said. “I suppose I won’t require the car anyhow. But I’m serious, Melissa, please. Take caution. No mess, no food, and no amusing activities.

She responded, “Yeah, yeah,” and waved it away. “I understand. I’m not in my teens.”

Around lunchtime that same afternoon, my sister and my niece showed up beaming. It’s clear that Melissa invited Lily along to help spread the culpability in case I changed my mind. She also had the option to pick up the car the following day, but she had to accept it at that moment.

As if she were Uber, she honked. She was already assisting Lily in getting out of her car when I went outside.

She smiled and called, “Keys, please!” “We’re on a tight schedule!”

Lily sprang into my embrace. “Hi, Auntie!”

“Hello, my love! “Happy birthday!”

As I set my niece down and turned to face her mother, my chest constricted. “You’ll take care of her, right?”

Melissa grabbed the keys out of my hand, looked at me, and rolled her eyes as if I were a nosy parent. Of course. You behave as though I’ve never used a motor vehicle.

Before she drove off in my brand-new automobile, I saw her blow a short kiss in my direction. I was already feeling guilty about it. For my meeting and other errands, I had to take cabs all weekend. I tried not to think about it, but it felt terrible that Rosie had been gone for so long.

What mattered, I assured myself, was that Lily would have a wonderful birthday.

She pulled into my driveway the following morning.

I was already anxious, so I hurried outside when I heard tires screeching.

Rosie had the appearance of someone who had just returned from a camping trip! Leaves in the wheel wells, mud streaking across the doors, and a scratch—no, multiple scratches—down the side! The lengthy scratches gave the impression that someone had brushed past something sharp or driven through shrubs.

Melissa left as if it were a routine errand. Without even looking at me, she threw the keys to me.

“What happened?” With hardly more than a whisper, I asked.

She gave a shrug. “You know, kids. We enjoyed ourselves.

I opened the door and gazed at the even more terrible catastrophe within!

Grease stains, liquid stains on the seats, crumbs, crumbled crackers, sticky cup holders, and fast-food wrappers were all there. I was hit hard by the stench.

With a gasp, “Oh my God, Melissa,” “What did you do? “This place looks like a raccoon got in.”

She gave an eye roll. “Don’t worry, it’s not that horrible. Why are you being so theatrical, really? You behave as though it were a Ferrari.

“Did you let them eat in here?”

“They’re children! Did you think I would starve them? A few crumbs were scattered here and there, and—are you sorry the children enjoyed themselves?”

“How is the mud doing? The dirt and scratches? How did that occur? Shaking, I asked.

“So what, argh? We chose a different route as a shortcut. Nothing major, just a little brush.

I had trembling hands. “You said you’d be careful.”

She gave a snort. “I brought it back, as I had promised. And you should be pleased because Lily had the best day of her life! You’re welcome, then.

As I watched her get into her car and drive away, I was at a loss for words. I returned inside and sobbed.

I spent hours cleaning what I could. There were severe scratches. The seats were destroyed. I ended up spending $450 just on detailing. Melissa never apologized or even gave a penny.

I gave Lily a call that same day to talk. I was curious to know how her celebration went. Inadvertently, my niece acknowledged that her mother intentionally wrecked the vehicle! “Your aunt will just get it fixed since she’s so rich,” Lily remembered her saying.

What I was hearing was unbelievable!

After I spent $4,000 on the car’s repairs and cleaning, Melissa naturally refused to pay.

I concluded that this would be a lesson to never give my belongings to anyone again and blamed myself for not knowing any better. I made no attempt to get in touch with Melissa again.

However, Karma arrived in a tow truck three weeks later to take care of me.

After performing a few errands, I was heading back home when Melissa rushed to my door, her cheeks flushed.

“You!” she yelled. “You are solely to blame! You succeeded, didn’t you?

I blinked. “What?”

As she fiddled with the engine, her face was smeared in soot. “My car!” she said. “In the middle of the road, it broke down. It needed to be hauled! It will cost more than $3,000, according to the mechanic! And you did something, I know that. I borrowed your dumb automobile, so you ruined it!”

I burst out laughing. I was unable to resist!

I said, “Are you serious right now?”

“Don’t act foolish, Rachel,” she yelled. “Ever since the party, you’ve been upset with me. Recognize it. Something you placed in my engine!”

I folded my arms. “I didn’t touch your automobile, Melissa. Perhaps it is simply the universe’s retaliation.

Her foot stomped. “You’re such a—shit! That car was necessary for me.

“And I needed mine,” I stated in a composed tone. But you showed no concern. I will share what you did with everyone.

I became aware that I owed her nothing while I stood there.

I said, “Go ahead,” calmly. Inform them. Tell whomever you choose. However, we are both aware of the reality: you destroyed my automobile, and now yours is gone. Melissa, that’s not me. That’s you.

Still muttering to herself, she bounded off. I didn’t stop her.

And I couldn’t help but smile as I turned back into the home while holding my jingling keys. My serenity was back, my car was fixed, and Melissa? At last, she was discovering what life was like when she was unable to rely on others.

It was balance, not retaliation. And I had stopped feeling bad about allowing karma to take care of itself.

That day, something changed. It occurred to me that I didn’t need to continue cleaning up after her. And I was going to stop feeling bad. I was just done being the backup plan; I wasn’t the bad guy in her story.