My Aunt Stole the $3,765 I Spent a Year Saving to Take My Mom to the Ocean – She Thought She Could Get Away With It..

My name is Vera, I’m 17, and my entire world has always revolved around one person: my mother, Jade. She’s been my anchor ever since my father walked out six years ago. He left us for another woman just three streets away. He never called on birthdays, never sent child support, never looked back. But Mom? She became both parents rolled into one fierce, beautiful soul. She worked herself to the bone so I could have everything I needed.

“Vera, honey, dinner’s ready!” she called from the kitchen, her voice carrying that familiar note of exhaustion she tried so hard to hide. I found her stirring pasta with one hand while sorting bills with the other. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her once-vibrant smile had grown thin. She worked at the diner from six in the morning until two, then cleaned offices until midnight. Every single day.

“Mom, sit down. I’ll finish this,” I said, taking the spoon from her trembling fingers. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just a little tired.”

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