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.”