Olivia noticed her stepson Josh acting withdrawn every Sunday after returning from his mom, Linda’s, house. Once a joyful, talkative boy, he now went straight to his room and barely spoke. Olivia grew increasingly worried, but her husband Patrick dismissed it as typical stress from Linda. Still, something didn’t sit right with her.

Then one Sunday, while waiting for Josh to come home, Olivia saw the porch camera feed switch on. Linda handed Josh cookies—and instructions to continue stealing from their home. Olivia froze as Josh begged her to stop, saying he hated lying and was tired of taking things like sanitary products, lotion, and cash. Linda coldly told him to steal jewelry next.

Shocked and furious, Olivia confronted Linda on the porch. Linda admitted she was in debt and desperate. Olivia offered her financial help but demanded that she stop using Josh to steal—and that he stay with them full-time until she sorted her life out. Linda, realizing she had no choice, agreed.

Josh, in tears, hugged Olivia and apologized. She comforted him, promising things would get better. Olivia may not have been Josh’s biological mom, but in that moment, her love and protection spoke volumes—and saved him from a toxic burden no child should bear.