Instead of confronting him outright, Rachel crafts a clever and messy revenge. She fills the trash can with rotting diapers and attaches a zip tie to prevent it from tipping over easily. When Peterson tries to kick it over, he trips and is covered in the disgusting contents. His humiliation is witnessed by a neighbor, and the next day, he shows up at Rachel’s door apologizing,
But Rachel’s revenge doesn’t stop there. A few weeks later, Peterson is fined by the HOA for improper trash storage, while Rachel is exempt, thanks to a special exception she arranged. As she sips lemonade on her porch, watching Peterson sulk, she reflects on how this petty victory is a symbol of her strength—a reminder that kindness is not weakness, and no one should mistake her grief for vulnerability.