Every Sunday evening, like clockwork, Olivia’s ten-year-old stepson, Josh, returned from his mother’s house—silent, sullen, and withdrawn. He used to be a bubbly, talkative boy who loved baking with Olivia and sharing stories about school. But lately, his joy had vanished the moment he stepped back into their home. Worried, Olivia asked her husband, Patrick, to talk to him. Patrick reassured her it was probably just stress from his biological mom, Linda,
who could be demanding. But Olivia knew in her gut that something deeper was wrong. Then one Sunday, everything changed. While waiting for Josh to come inside, Olivia saw the porch security camera feed appear on the TV. She watched as Linda handed Josh a container of cookies and then said something that made Olivia’s stomach drop: “You know what you have to do.” Josh resisted. “I hate lying to Dad,”
he said. “And Liv knows something’s wrong. If Dad finds out you’re making me steal…” Olivia froze. Steal? Josh’s voice cracked as he confessed to taking small items—lotions, money, even sanitary products—for his mom. Linda didn’t back down. She wanted jewelry next. Money. Anything she could pawn. Olivia, heart pounding, went straight to the door and confronted them. “I heard everything,” she told Linda calmly but firmly. Linda, caught,
admitted she was in deep debt. Olivia offered her help on one condition: Josh stays with us, and you never ask him to steal again. Later that night, Josh tearfully apologized to Olivia. “I didn’t want to do it. I’m so sorry.” She hugged him tightly. “You were protecting someone you loved. But that’s not your burden to carry anymore. We’ll make this right. Together.”
