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..

After eleven months of sacrifice, I finally had it—$3,765. Enough for flights, an oceanfront hotel, and spending money for a week of pure magic. I planned to surprise her the following weekend… but everything fell apart first.

“What’s in the shoebox, honey?”

I spun around to find my Aunt Viola standing in my bedroom doorway, her manicured nails tapping the frame. She’d let herself in without knocking, and her eyes were locked on the pile of cash spread across my bed.

“Oh—hi, Aunt Viola. It’s just some money I’ve been saving,” I said, quickly shoving the bills back into the box. “That’s quite a lot for a 17-year-old,” she said in her sugary-sweet tone, stepping closer. “What’s it for?”

I should have lied. I should have said it was for college. But I was so excited that the truth slipped out. “I’m taking Mom to the ocean. Seven days at the Seaview Bay Resort. It’s a surprise.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, sweetie, that’s wonderful! But… you can’t book flights and hotels on your own. You’re still a minor.”

My stomach dropped. I hadn’t thought of that. “But don’t worry,” she continued smoothly. “I can help you. Give me the money, and I’ll take care of everything. I know all the best travel sites—and I might even get a discount.”

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