I was long distance with my long-term boyfriend two years ago, but we had a running arrangement with his folks that I could visit for one weekend a month since he paid them quite a bit of rent to live in their garage. The month before my 20th birthday I specifically asked his mother if I could visit the weekend of my birthday because I wanted to spend it with my boyfriend. She agreed happily, so when I went back home I booked the 150 euro flights back to visit him for the dates I wanted. Well a week before my birthday, his mom tells him I'm absolutely not allowed to visit anymore and wouldn't hear a single word of protest or explain why I wasn't allowed in the house since i'd never done anything to her. I had to miss my non-refundable flight and spent my birthday alone since my own mom was away for the week.

A few months later we move into an apartment together in his home country and she explains that she was holding my birthday hostage in order to emotionally manipulate my boyfriend for something minor he'd done to offend her (he ordered pizza one day instead of having dinner with family). No apology for making me lose out on money or anything, just a smug little smirk and a "well I suppose my tactic worked since he finally moved out".