Every Sunday at 5 p.m., Olivia’s stepson, Josh, returned from his biological mother’s house. And every week, he came home quieter, more withdrawn—nothing like the bright, chatty 10-year-old she once knew. Olivia grew worried but didn’t want to overstep. Though Josh had accepted her, she still wasn’t sure where she stood in his heart. “Do you think he’s okay?” she asked her husband, Patrick. He brushed it off, thinking Josh was just overwhelmed by his mother, Linda’s, strictness. But Olivia felt it was deeper than that. One day, everything changed. While waiting for Josh to return,
Olivia noticed their security system feed switch to the front porch camera. She watched as Linda handed Josh a container of cookies—and instructions. “You know what you have to do,” Linda said. Josh looked uncomfortable. “Mom, I don’t want to lie anymore,” he said. “If Dad finds out you’re making me steal from his house, he’ll be furious.” Olivia froze, heart pounding. Josh continued, “Liv knows something’s off. I can’t keep taking her stuff—lotions, sanitary pads—now you want jewelry?