My in-laws requested our luxury property, turning our Bora Bora honeymoon into a power struggle. Once my husband let me handle them, I made sure they got what they deserved.

My folks were thrilled when we told them. They were always humble, easygoing, and never anticipated luxury.

We vacationed with road trips, cheap motels, and beach picnics as kids. So when Mark and I invited them on this lavish vacation, they were shocked.

My mom cried, while my dad kept shaking his head, “Are you sure this isn’t too much?” Many thanked us, calling it the trip of a lifetime.

However, Mark’s parents were tougher to satisfy.

Before we scheduled the vacation, I saw how much Mark’s parents controlled him. Going was initially slated for late May. After Mark told his mom, she immediately rejected it.

“No, Mark. Linda responded, “That won’t work for us.” “Your father has his golf tournament and my garden club has its spring luncheon. You must move it.”

Mark was supposed to tell her that this was our honeymoon, not a family gathering. Instead, he sighed, apologized, and said, “We can reschedule, right?”

Shocked. “Mark, we put deposits down.”

“I’ll cover the change fees,” he promised. “This way’s easier.”

My parents had to reschedule, making it harder for us. What about Linda and Richard? It was perfect. As usual, they wanted first.

That night, I approached him. “You can’t keep letting them run our lives.”

He moaned, scratching his temples. “Just this once,” he assured. “After this trip, no more. We’re establishing boundaries.”

I smiled and gripped his hand. “Next time, let me handle things.”

We had rented them a nice bungalow on the water. It featured a glass floor, an open-air bathroom, and a private balcony. But their expressions when they arrived? Disappointment. They scarcely said thank you.

Mark and I, on the other hand, had rented the sole available villa. It turned out to be a 4,000-square-foot utopia. It included a sauna, an outdoor tub, a private pool, and an ocean slide that plummeted directly into the blue sea. Simply stunning.

Still, I sensed danger.

At first, I assumed Mark’s parents needed time to acclimate. Could have been swamped. I was mistaken.

Dinner was shared that night. The warm air smelt like coconut and grilled fish. The sky became pink and gold as the sun set. My cousin Jason grinned at me as we laughed and enjoyed fresh pineapple drinks.

“Your ocean slide is crazy! I saw the pictures—can I try tomorrow?

A chuckle. Of course! So much fun.”

A loud gasp came from across the table.

Wait… WHAT? My mother-in-law Linda smacked the table. She glanced at Mark. “You have ocean slides?”

Richard, my father-in-law, frowned. Your home has a slide?

My stomach twisted. Now we go.

Linda took Mark’s phone off the table. She browsed our day’s images. Her face reddened. “Mark, THIS is your place?”

Mark paused. “Uh… yeah?”

Richard pushed his chair back. “And we’re in a bungalow?”

I blinked. Stuck? Very luxury cottages. People envisioned staying in one.

“Mom, Dad,” Mark said, “your place is amazing. The finest bungalow they offer.”

“But it’s NOT a villa,” Linda said coldly. Her voice was harsh as she turned. How come you obtain first place?

I inhaled slowly. Stay calm, Emily. “There was only one villa available,” I remarked. It wouldn’t have been fair to give it to one set of parents.”

Linda grumbled. “We’re seniors! While our children live in luxury, we shouldn’t be peasants!”

I almost choked on my drink. Peasants? In Bora Bora?

Richard crossed arms. “Mark OWES us. We reared him. He wouldn’t be here without us.”

Smug Linda nodded. “You can’t even sacrifice for family?”

Mark froze. His gaze alternated between me and his parents. Linda’s nostrils flared. Richard was clenching his jaw so fiercely I worried he’d shatter a tooth.

Linda snapped, expecting Mark to support them. Say something!

Mark opened and closed his lips. He made fists on the table. I could see his mental fight. He had obeyed them his whole life. It wasn’t just him anymore. About us.

He regarded me. Those blue eyes scanned me. After exhaling, he nodded. A barely detectable nod. My heart jumped. I had his approval.

Turning to my in-laws, I said steadily. I know you want better. Yes, family should be respected. I’ll give you special care.”

Linda grinned. “It’s time.”

Richard sneered. “Should’ve done that first.”

They rose up and preened like they had won a fight. Linda tossed her napkin on the table. “We’ll expect the change in the morning.”

As they fled, Richard muttered. I heard “ungrateful children” before they vanished along the wooden path.

I looked at Mark again. He sighed, massaging his face.

“Are you sure?” he questioned.

I grinned. “Oh, I’m certain.”

That night, I called the resort concierge quickly. A request? An ‘upgrade’ for my in-laws.

The lady on the other end seemed puzzled, but she laughed softly once I explained.

“You want me to book their flight home?” she inquired.

“First-class,” I said. “Just the best for them.”

“Consider finished.”

I heard bags moving over my villa’s wooden terrace the following morning. I walked onto the balcony to find Linda and Richard at the front desk, their chests puffed with anticipation.

They already boasted. I knew they would enter our villa and receive what they deserved in their faces.

A smiling concierge greeted them. “Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, your special arrangements are complete.”

Linda smiled. “Finally! Where are our new keys?

She presented an envelope. Your first-class tickets.”

Silence.

Linda raised her eyebrows. “Tickets?”

Richard grabbed the envelope and ripped it. I had never seen his face this crimson. “This is a joke,” he hissed. “This goddamn joke.”

Linda opened and closed her mouth like a fish. “YOU SEND US HOME?” She screamed so loudly that visitors started looking.

I approached with my kindest grin. You said you deserved the finest… We could find you no better place than home.”

Richard’s face scorched. HOW DARE YOU?!

“Oh, very easily,” I responded carelessly.

Linda glanced around, begging for help. She faced Mark. “You’ll let her hurt us?”

Sighing, Mark stroked his hair. “Honestly? Yeah.”

Linda gasped like he smacked her. We’re your parents!

He said, “And we’re on our honeymoon. You don’t like Bora Bora, Mom. You whined the whole flight.”

Linda stammered, struggling to argue. “We didn’t expect this treatment.”

I shrugged. “Safe travels.”

In an instant, resort workers took control. They had their stuff on a boat. Linda screamed as the boat left the pier. Mark stopped near me to watch his folks cross the sea.

Shaking his head, he sighed. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Wrapping my arm around his waist. Believe it.”

He looked at me with a gentler gaze than in days. I regret letting things go this bad. I should have stopped it sooner.”

I took his hand. “You ultimately did right. That matters.”

We enjoyed our honeymoon for the first time since arriving.

We spent the following four days enjoying the villa’s grandeur.

We spent relaxing mornings on our own terrace watching the dawn over the water. We drank coffee in bed without interruptions or remorse.

We had romantic meals in our villa with the sound of waves, feeling like the world belonged to us.

Mark kissed my forehead as we sat in the outside tub one night. He said, “Best decision ever.”

I grinned, falling into his hug. This vacation was intended to celebrate love, and it was.