My brother stole my ATM card and emptied my entire account. Then he kicked me out of the house, saying, “Your job is done, we got what we wanted.” The worst part was that my parents laughed as if it had all been part of a plan.

“Now, Alana, don’t start a scene over nothing,” she said, smoothing her apron. “You have lived here for nearly two years eating our food and using our utilities like this was some boutique hotel.”

My blood began to boil beneath my skin. “You told me you didn’t want rent so I could save for my future!”

My father finally turned around, his eyes cold and distant. “We shouldn’t have had to ask. A daughter with any sense of gratitude would have shared her success without being prompted.”

My hands shook violently as I pulled my phone out and bypassed the security lock on my banking app. The numbers on the screen made my breath hitch in my throat.

My savings account, the one I had built through every holiday shift and sleepless night, was sitting at a balance of zero. My checking account had been wiped clean through a series of rapid ATM withdrawals and one massive wire transfer.

Nearly forty thousand dollars had vanished into thin air. “No, this can’t be happening,” I whispered. “That was for my Master’s degree.”

Garrett’s smile turned predatory and cruel. “Well, consider that plan canceled.”

“Give it back to me right now,” I demanded, my voice cracking.

“The answer is no,” he replied flatly.