My husband Clark, who’s the type to get lost in work and sees it as the only thing that matters, really pushed it this time. As if being a stay-at-home mom isn’t a full-time job in itself. So here’s the story.

Last month, we were supposed to visit his family to relax, have fun, and let the kids make some memories. Nothing too complicated, right?

Clark volunteered to book the flights, and I thought, “Great, one less thing to worry about.” Boy, was I wrong.

At the airport, I asked him where our seats were. He barely looked up from his phone and gave me the dreaded news: he had upgraded himself and his mom to first class. Meanwhile, I was stuck in economy with both kids.

I was furious. “You and your mom get first class, and I’m here in economy with the kids?” I said, not hiding my frustration.

Clark shrugged it off. “It’s just a few hours. You’ll be fine.” And then his mom, Nadia, appeared with a grin, clearly proud of the luxury she was about to enjoy.

I was left with the kids, a growing sense of revenge, and a plan.

As we boarded, I saw Clark and Nadia sipping champagne in first class while I was struggling to store our carry-ons. I smiled through my teeth as our five-year-old begged to sit with Daddy. “Not this time,” I replied. “Daddy’s sitting in a special part of the plane.”

I wasn’t done yet, though. Earlier, at the security check, I had subtly grabbed Clark’s wallet from his bag. When he realized it was gone, I was ready for some payback.

As the flight went on, I watched as Clark ordered every luxury available. Meanwhile, I was getting snacks from the economy cart, just watching him enjoy his indulgences.

Sure enough, a little later, Clark was frantically searching for his wallet in first class. It was priceless watching him get caught in that awkward situation as the flight attendants demanded payment.

He eventually came to me, whispering in desperation, asking for $1,500. He looked like a schoolboy who’d been caught, and I relished every second of it.

When he asked if I had any cash, I fished around my bag, acting like I was looking for something. “I’ve got $200,” I said. “Better than nothing, right?” I didn’t stop there. “Hey, don’t you think your mom might be able to help with that?” His face turned pale at the thought of asking his mother for money.

The rest of the flight was a quiet, awkward experience for Clark and Nadia. I couldn’t help but feel a little satisfied watching their first-class luxury turn into an uncomfortable silence.

When the flight ended, Clark was in a bad mood, still complaining about his missing wallet. He even asked if I’d seen it. I played innocent, reminding him, “Maybe it fell out with all that fancy food.”

The whole thing was a perfect mix of petty and sweet revenge. As we left the airport, I kept his wallet tucked safely in my bag, knowing I’d get a little extra something out of his mistake before returning it.

The lesson? If you ever find yourself stuck in economy while your partner basks in first class, don’t be afraid to get creative with your revenge.