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I planned a surprise party for my husband, but the moment he arrived, everyone fell silent

By
Monica Pop
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My husband has never been a “party guy,” but still, I wanted to organize a little celebration for his 40th birthday without him being aware of it.

So, two days before his birthday, I told him I’d be visiting my sister because she needed urgent help with something important. He didn’t complain, telling me to take that trip because he wasn’t celebrating his birthday anyways.

However, instead of going to my sister’s, I stayed at my friend Karen’s house, making plans for the surprise party.

“Maria, are you sure you want to do this? You know Tom isn’t fond of birthday celebrations.”

But, yes, I was sure he deserved something nice and fancy. So, I called his parents, his brother Jim, his best friend Tom and his wife Lisa, and some of Tom’s colleagues, telling them about the surprise.

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Needless to say, I spent a bunch of money on decorations, balloons, drinks, and plenty of food because I wanted everything to be flawless.

Knowing Tom was getting home from work at around 6 p.m, I told everyone to be at my house before that and help me decorate the place.

One by one, Tom’s secret guests started to arrive.

“Wow, you’ve really outdone yourself, Maria,” Lisa praised my efforts.

“Thank you, Lisa! Are you able to assist with the balloons? I gave them a balloon bag.”

Everyone helped, and around 5:30 p.m, the room looked fantastic. A huge banner stretched across the wall with the message, “Happy 40th, Tom!”

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By 5:45 p.m., everyone had gathered in the kitchen.

“All right, everyone — Tom’s almost here,” I said, feeling my excitement rise. “Lights off, and hide!”

Everyone was laughing as we were trying to find a place to hide in the kitchen. As I crouched behind the kitchen counter, my heart started racing in the darkness. And then I heard they key turn in the lock and a woman’s voice asking, “Do you think he’ll like it?”

My stomach dropped. A woman? For a moment, I thought Tom was bringing someone home.

The lights flipped on, and everyone gasped. A young couple stood in the doorway, both shocked by the sight of balloons and us gathered there. The man was holding keys and the woman had a suitcase.

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“Who are you?” I asked.

“Who are you?” she fired back.

Jim popped up from behind the counter. “We’re here for a surprise party!”

The man blinked. “We rented this place on Airbnb.”

My jaw dropped. “Airbnb? This is our house!”

It didn’t take long to realize that Tom had listed the house online when I told him I’d be out of town.

I called him immediately. “Tom, did you put our home on Airbnb?”

A pause. “Yeah, I figured we could make a little extra while you were gone.”

“I didn’t go, Tom. I stayed to throw you a surprise party.”

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Fifteen minutes later, he came home looking mortified. “I just wanted to save up for a trip for us,” he said.

The tension turned into laughter, and somehow, we all ended up celebrating together, even the Airbnb couple.

It turned out to be the most unforgettable party ever.

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

I was patrolling at night when a message suddenly came through the radio: strange sounds had been reported in an abandoned house…

By
Monica Pop
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I was on night patrol when a call came through the radio. There was a report about strange noises coming from an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of town.

It wasn’t part of my route, and I could have easily ignored it, but something deep inside me pushed me to go. It was a feeling I can’t explain.

The house was completely dark, still and silent. The moment I stepped inside, a quiet noise came from the basement. It sounded like a person. I took off the chain and slowly walked down while my hands were shaking.

The light of my flashlight fell on a boy’s small figure. He wasn’t crying, just shaking.

I carried him out and rushed him to the hospital. Within minutes, doctors, nurses, and officers surrounded us, each one stunned by what they saw. No one could understand that someone could experience such cruelty. The same question haunted every face: Who locked that boy down there, and how long had he been trapped?

When he stabilized, he still refused to speak. The next morning, I went back to see him. I introduced myself and sat quietly at his bedside. After a moment, he looked up and whispered, “Hi.”

I told him he was safe now and that no one could hurt him anymore. He then gave me his hands and after a long silence, he began to speak. Every single word he uttered felt heavy.

He said the man who kept, and whom he called “uncle,” visited him often, and sometimes there were other kids there. Some of them were there just for a night and he never saw them again. The boy was locked in that basement for around two weeks.

Investigators later found children’s toys in the basement, along with an old computer holding dozens of files: names, dates, short notes. Each line was a child.

When the story broke, the press called it The Black House Case. The whole city froze in disbelief. No one could imagine something so monstrous happening so close to home.

Eventually, we caught the man. He tried to escape across the border but didn’t make it far. During interrogation, he would’t say anything except for some chilling words, “Do you really think I was alone?”

Further investigation revealed that the house was one of many houses used in an international trafficking network.

When I heard the news, I returned to the hospital. This time, the boy was there with his parents.

I stood at the doorway for a moment before stepping closer. “It’s over now,” I said quietly. “You’re home. You’re free.”

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Bored Daddy

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Helping children in a shelter find Halloween costumes changed everything

By
Monica Pop
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My life has never been the same since the horrible crash that took the lives of my husband Mark and my two children, my sweet daughter Emily and my awkwardly lovely son Josh, both in their teens.

The house that was once filled with love and laughter became and empty place without soul. My days have been filled with going from one room to another, hoping I will feel my loved ones’ presence, but that never happens.

After that night, when that drunk driver claimed their lives, I don’t live any more, I just exist, barely.

Mark and I met back in college, of all places, in a cooking class that went wrong. He tried to make scrambled eggs and somehow triggered the fire alarm, filling the room with smoke and chaos. Everyone panicked except me. I laughed so hard I nearly fell over. And right there, in the middle of the commotion, something clicked between us. Maybe it was the humor, maybe the humility, but from that moment on, we were inseparable.

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Our life together resembled a fairytale. We built a small house and welcomed our two children. Honestly, life felt good, because among all the tiny imperfection, our family was perfect.

Our place smelled like burnt toast, crayons, and coffee — the scent of a family living fully.

I can still see it all: Mark teaching Josh how to change a tire, Emily giggling as he messed up her hair, the clatter of dishes and the hum of the fridge in the background. Those sounds used to be my soundtrack, and all of a sudden, they became non-existent.

On the night of the accident, Mark went out to grab pizza and the kids begged him to take them with him. Hesitantly, he agreed, not knowing that decision would take them to death. I remember saying “Drive safe.” He smiled, kissed my forehead, and said, “Always.” It was the last thing he ever said to me.

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Just minutes later, I could hear the sirens and I had no idea they were racing toward my family. When the knock came at 9:47 p.m., I opened the door expecting anything but two soaked officers. “There’s been an accident,” one said. The rest was noise. I only heard that a drunk driver took the wrong lane and had no time to react. Before the silence came, I screamed and fell on my knees.

Ever since, I never went out and barely spoke to anyone, until one day, a flyer grabbed my attention.

It read, “Halloween Costumes Drive — Help Our Kids Celebrate!”

Something inside me stirred, and that same night, I went into the attic and opened the boxes I hadn’t touched in months. Inside were the costumes I’d made for Emily and Josh. Among the rest, there were my daughter’s bumblebee wings, and Josh’s firefighter suit.

I decided to bring them to the shelter, hoping they would make some children happy.

But I didn’t only bring those two costumes. I posted online, asking for donations and went door to door around the neighborhood. And just before Halloween, my car was filled with a bunch of kids’ costumes.

I donated the costumes, and then I saw this little girl wearing Emily’s bumblebee costume. As I stared at her, she approached closer and gave me a hug, thanking me for the costume and telling me that she had always wanted to be a bumblebee. And then, out of nowhere, she said, “Maybe you could be my mom?”

Her words touched me deeper than I could ever think. That fragile little girl had no one, and so did I.

And then it hit me. Maybe that flyer was a signal to come to the shelter and meet this sweet little lady. Maybe it was meant for me to find her and give her a forever home.

It didn’t take long before I filled in the adoption papers. The process wasn’t a straightforward one, but eventually, she became my daughter.

Today, she’s eight years old. She’s lively and vibrant and my house isn’t silent any longer. I still think of my husband and my children every day, but I feel more alive knowing I have someone I should be strong for.

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Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

The Surprising Reason Men Don’t Walk Away from Their Marriages

By
Monica Pop
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Why Do Men Cheat but Stay Married? The Hidden Psychology Behind Infidelity

It’s a question that frustrates countless partners and fascinates relationship experts: why do so many men pursue affairs yet remain married to their wives?

At first glance, it may seem contradictory—why risk betrayal if you don’t intend to leave? But new insights suggest the reasons are layered, tied to psychology, comfort, and the human fear of loss.

Marriage is never easy, and in the U.S., nearly half end in divorce. Yet, despite high rates of separation, studies reveal a paradox: around 57% of men admit to cheating at least once, and nearly three-quarters say they would stray if they were certain they wouldn’t be caught. Still, very few leave their marriages for the people they cheat with.

According to relationship experts, one major reason lies in comfort and history. A wife often represents familiarity, shared memories, and unconditional acceptance. With her, a man feels fully known—flaws, habits, and all. That level of intimacy, built over years, is almost impossible to replicate with someone new. An affair might provide excitement or validation, but it rarely offers the stability and authenticity that a marriage provides.

This helps explain the paradox: men may seek novelty outside the marriage, yet the foundation of their lives—home, children, shared history, and emotional security—remains rooted in their wives. Leaving would mean sacrificing not just a partner, but a whole life they’ve built together.

Conclusion

When men cheat but don’t leave, it’s often not about lacking desire for someone new, but about clinging to the irreplaceable bond and security they already have. Infidelity may offer thrill or escape, but marriage provides identity, stability, and the rare comfort of being truly seen. Understanding this contradiction doesn’t excuse betrayal—but it does reveal why so many men walk the double-edged path of seeking adventure while refusing to let go of home.

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Bored Daddy

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When the Horse Turned Deadly

By
Bryan Seal
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The Horse That Consumed Dusee—Plus Four

In the shadowed hollows beyond the furthest farms, where the wind hums secrets older than memory, the tale began—half-whisper, half-shiver. They called it The Horse That Consumed Dusee—Plus Four, a name that rippled through the countryside like a pulse felt but never seen.

Dusee was a man stitched to the earth, humble as the soil beneath his boots. But his horse? The beast was different—a liquid shimmer in motion, its coat a molten silver that caught moonlight like spilled stars. Its eyes weren’t eyes at all but black wells that drank the world, reflecting not what was, but what should not be.

Where others saw a noble steed, Dusee saw a silent covenant. The horse never trod on grass but on the invisible threads between moments, tracing lines no human could follow. It learned his breath, his pulse, the quiet corners where his fears hid.

And slowly, it began to feed—not on oats, but on Dusee himself.

He changed. Not with sickness, but with absence—as if the air inside him grew thin and hollow. His laughter fractured, his words slipped through fingers like smoke. The villagers watched a man dissolve, not into death, but into disappearance.

The horse stood beside him, still and radiant—an unblinking sentry in the dimming dusk. They say Dusee’s eyes finally emptied into the horse’s depths, a transfer of light and life that left only a husk behind.

The Plus Four—that was the riddle. Four whispers, four shadows trailing behind, four promises in the silent pause between heartbeats. Some say it marks the days before the horse returns, hungry again. Others claim it counts the souls that the horse will borrow next, a slow exhale of lost men carried on silver hooves.

No one dares meet the horse’s gaze now, for to look too long is to be invited into the void where Dusee vanished—an invitation none return from.

And so, beneath the moon’s cold watch, the story waits—alive and breathing, a warning etched into the landscape:

Beware the horse that doesn’t eat your flesh, but your being. For it is patient, and hunger is endless.

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Bored Daddy

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I was a surrogate for my sister — but ten days later they left the child on my doorstep

By
Monica Pop
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My sister Claire struggled to conceive for years. She and her husband spent a little fortune trying to become parents, but eventually, all those IFV’s ended up with heartbreaking miscarriages that broke my sister’s heart over and over again. It felt like her world collapsed little by little as she could no longer try. And that’s when I came into the picture and agreed to be their surrogate.

The decision wasn’t made lightly, but on the day they asked me to carry their baby, Claire has already lost her bubbly personality. She withdrew more and more and stopped being around people who had children. She even missed some of my sons’ birthdays and I could no witness her dying inside.

Looking at my boys through the kitchen window as she slipped her fingers around the glass of water, I could feel the love she had for them and I knew she would be the perfect mother if she’ had the chance.

It felt like her world collapsed little by little as she could no longer try. And that’s when I came into the picture and agreed to be their surrogate/Midjourney

My heart ached for her and her husband, who entered the kitchen at that moment and placed his hand on my sister’s shoulder. He then turned to me and said, “Specialists say Claire can no longer handle any treatments. They suggested surrogacy…” and the proceeded, “Abby, would you consider being one?” Jason asked.

Then Claire got closer and took my hands in hers. “You know, Abby, you are my only chance of ever experiencing motherhood. Please take your time to think about the gift you could give me.”

That evening, my husband and I discussed the possibility of me being my sister’s surrogate. Having four boys already meant having a lot on my plate. Another pregnancy could take a toll on my body and my emotions, but watching my sister suffer was overwhelming.

I asked my husband to trust me and support me in my decision to be my sister’s surrogate.

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It didn’t take long before Claire and Jason’s baby started growing in my belly. They were extremely dedicated and couldn’t stop making plans for their future as parents.

The pregnancy went well and nothing spoke trouble, but on the day I gave birth to their baby girl, they were nowhere to be seen. Both my husband, Luke, and I tried reaching them, but there was no answer.

Hours passed by and Claire and Jason finally appeared at the hospital. But their demeanor said something wasn’t right.

Instead of taking the girl, Claire looked at me and said, “This isn’t the baby we expected. We don’t want it.”

“You’re joking, right?” I asked, still unable to process her words.

“It’s a girl. And Jason… Jason wanted a son.”

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That’s when my husband intervened and started yelling at Claire and her husband. “Have you both lost your minds?”

Jason was quick to leave the room, leaving Claire to do the hard work. “He has given me an ultimatum, it’s either a son or he leaves me… I can’t take this girl, Jason doesn’t want her.”

“But you never said anything about gender,” I said, still shocked.

“That’s because you have given birth to four boys, so we thought it wouldn’t be any different this time,” Claire said.

Midjourney

It was then that I told her to get out of the room. As she walked, she turned one more time and added, “Maybe you can take her to an orphanage, or give her to someone who wants a daughter.”

I felt dizzy. How could the person who wanted to be a mom so badly could speak of her daughter as of a piece of clothing?

When my sister finally agreed to take the baby, I was glad she had come to her senses, but that didn’t last long. Just ten days later, they left Nora at our doorstep.

Luke and I decided to raise Nora ourselves. There was no way I would ever put her up for adoption. She was my blood, my sweet little niece…

The idea of being a surrogate seemed so rational at the beginning, but now it ruined my relationship with my sister.

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A couple of weeks later, someone knocked on the door. “Who could it be on this rainy day?” I thought to myself as I opened the door.

It was Claire. She looked different.

But before I could ask her why she was there, she started crying and said she was sorry. She couldn’t abandon her daughter, even if that meant separating from Jason.

I could feel her regret was sincere so I invited her in and let her hold Nora for the first time.

Looking at my sister with her daughter, it felt like all the pieces fell into place. Being a single mother wouldn’t be easy, but my husband, my boys, and I were there to stand by her as long as she needed.

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Bored Daddy

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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son impresses fans with steady weight-loss progress

By
Monica Pop
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Christopher Schwarzenegger, the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, is showing off the results of a major transformation and people can’t stop talking about it.

The 27-year-old joined sister Katherine and her husband Chris Pratt at a Brentwood pumpkin patch over the weekend, looking fit, confident, and clearly proud of his progress.

Christopher’s toned arms and shoulders stood out in his white tank top and joggers. He could be seen laughing while carrying pumpkins through the patch.

He, however, didn’t achieve his new look over night. On the contrary, he struggled with weight for quite some time and his new appearance reflects years of dedication. Needless to say, the young Schwarzenegger looks handsome and healthier than ever.

More photos of Christopher emerged later as his sister Katherine shared photos from another family day out on Instagram. They showed her brother scrolling through his phone in Cape Cod, along with their mom Maria Shriver. “A perfect day ☀️🌊,” she wrote.

Christopher lost 30-pound, something he spoke about publicly at the Beacher Vitality Happy & Healthy Summit in Los Angeles in May. “It was a big process,” he said, hinting at how much effort went into building new habits. Now, with a balanced lifestyle and a clear focus on fitness, he looks every bit as determined as his famous father.

“I started in 2019 when I was living in Australia,” Christopher shared. “I just saw how much my weight was prohibiting me from doing the everyday activities.”

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Christopher continued: “I was like, ‘I want to go skydiving.’ And my friends were like, ‘Yeah, no shot.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I can’t skydive.’

“It’s not an overnight thing, but it took a lot of trial and error. And even still to this day, when you’re saying, ‘oh, before and after photos,’ I don’t feel like I’m an after yet. I don’t feel like I’m at the point.”

As expected, fans were quick to comment on the incredible transformation and his resemblance to his brother Patrick.

“You can really see the resemblance to his father in that second pic,” one person commented, while another added, “His transformation is incredible. Good for him. He’s looking more like his father now.”

Someone else commented, “He is more handsome than Patrick,” while another remarked, “He is now the better-looking brother ❤️.”

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Royal couple Harry and Meghan make headlines at Dodgers game

By
Monica Pop
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made waves in Los Angeles after being spotted at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2025, cheering on Game 4 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers.

The couple wore matching blue Dodgers caps. Meghan opted for dark pants and an oversized white shirt, while Harry wore a black blazer and T-shirt. They were sitting front row just ahead of baseball legend Sandy Koufax, who unexpectedly drew much of the crowd’s attention.

Fans online joked that “royalty was sitting behind Markle and Harry,” as the pair laughed, cheered, and looked perfectly at home in the spotlight.

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Later that week, they watched Game 7 from home with Meghan’s friend Kelly McKee Zajfen, celebrating the Dodgers’ 11-inning championship win while Meghan danced and Harry looked on with a grin.

Meghan was seen cheering and exclaiming, “Oh my God!” as she walked over to Harry, leaned down, and kissed him on the lips while Kelly McKee Zajfen applauded beside them. Moments later, Meghan and Zajfen jumped up and down in excitement before sharing a hug.

Some of Meghan’s critics dubbed her reaction not genuine.

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“LOOKS SO FAKE,” one X user wrote along with a “Staged” GIF.

“So scripted,” another added.

“Load of performative fakery! She just so happened to have a camera set up,” a third chimed in.

The Sussexes’ night at the World Series came shortly after they gave fans a rare glimpse of family life in California. A video posted to Instagram showed Meghan, 44, with Harry and their children, Archie and Lilibet, visiting a Santa Barbara pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins at home.

DUBBO, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 17: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit a local farming family, the Woodleys, on October 17, 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images)

Earlier in the month, Harry and Meghan had attended Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival in New York, where they represented their Archewell Foundation and spoke about youth mental health and social-media challenges.

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