Hi, I’m Kristen, 17, and this is the story of how vanity clashed with values. My late mom set up a college fund for me, and I added to it with every tutoring and babysitting gig. Things were going fine — until Tracy, my stepmom, moved in with her ring light and beauty obsession.

One day, Tracy casually announced she was borrowing $5,000 from my fund to get veneers. I was stunned — she brushed off my protests like I was overreacting. Dad wasn’t thrilled either, but didn’t stop her. So, the money was gone, and Tracy got her perfect smile.