The room went silent. Chloe’s excuses quickly unraveled. Finally, she admitted that her struggling business had pushed her into desperation. She had thought no one would notice if she took a child’s savings. My heart broke for both of them — for Chloe’s weakness, but even more for Ava, who had to face betrayal in her own home.Chloe returned every dollar, shame heavy on her face. Ava, though shaken, stood tall. Later that night, as we sat quietly in the kitchen with ice cream sundaes, I told her how proud I was.
