My name is Larissa, an ordinary woman juggling life’s demands. I hadn’t seen my mom in months but we talked often—her warm voice always comforted me. One day, after a tough week, I decided to surprise her by visiting our childhood home. I imagined her greeting me with a hug, but when I arrived, all that remained was rubble. The house was gone, and my mom was missing.

A man from high school, Tom, appeared and cruelly hinted my mom got what she deserved. Desperate, I called the police. They told me the property had been sold and my mom was seen homeless for weeks. Shocked, I rushed to the market and found her—frail, cold, and alone.

She told me two men came, took her phone, and forced her out. The police said she signed papers—but she never did. With no one nearby to help her, she was left to fend for herself. My heart broke, but I promised to fix this.

Together with a lawyer, I uncovered a developer’s scam targeting elderly homeowners by forging signatures and demolishing homes. Our fight reached the media, and the developer faced lawsuits and criminal charges. The court ordered a settlement and to rebuild the house.We rented a nearby home for my mom, closer to me, and started to rebuild our lives. Though we won, the pain reminded me: family is everything. No matter how busy life gets, being there for those you love is what truly matters.