“I found out my neighbor had been stealing my packages for a while. I could’ve called the cops, but nah—

I overheard her on the phone, whispering. “No, I don’t know if she suspects… but if she finds out about the returns, I’m screwed.”

Returns? That word echoed in my mind. I suddenly realized it wasn’t just about the packages—she must’ve been stealing my deliveries, returning them for cash or store credit.

My hands trembled as I dug my trowel into the dirt.

I needed proof.

That night, I went through my emails, matching every delivery notification with what I actually received. Three pairs of shoes, a phone charger, a winter coat—gone. I checked my credit card and saw returns processed I hadn’t made.

That’s when it clicked: Darlene was intercepting my packages, returning them to stores as if she’d bought them herself.

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