Then came the call: Mark and Kendra had been arrested trying to use the card again. The store flagged it, police were called, and they got booked. The officer asked if I’d given them permission. I said: “No. That card was stolen.” They screamed betrayal. But to me, the real betrayal was thinking they could steal my future and call it “family.”

I didn’t press charges, but they still faced embarrassment, paperwork, and a fraud mark. Mom came home later, quieter. No apologies, but she made my favorite meals. Mark and Kendra? Haven’t asked me for anything since.