I trusted my best friend Anna with my late mother’s wedding dress during home renovations. When I asked for it back later, she claimed it was lost, offering money for a replacement instead. My heart broke, especially since my sister Julia was set to wear it for her wedding. Something felt off, and suspicion grew when Anna didn’t seem genuinely upset about the “loss.”

When Anna went on vacation, she asked me to water her plants. I took the opportunity to search her house — and found the dress hidden in her closet. To my shock, I also discovered proof that she had been secretly renting it out to brides for money, complete with Instagram posts and payment records. I quietly took the dress back, restored it, and gave it to Julia, who wore it beautifully on her big day.

At the wedding, Anna was stunned to see the dress. When I confronted her, she admitted to renting it out but claimed she was “giving it purpose.” Furious, I ended our friendship and later had her served with a court summons. Armed with overwhelming evidence, I won the case. The judge ordered Anna to pay nearly $5,000 in damages and restitution.

Now, the dress is safely preserved in my closet, and Julia’s wedding photos hang proudly in my home. Anna lost her side business, her money, and our friendship — all because of her greed and betrayal.