As I stared at the bank alert on my phone, a sinking feeling settled in my stomach. $18,462 charged by Ocean-Glide Cruises. My heart pounded in my chest, and my mind raced. This was my credit card—the one I used for essentials like rent and groceries. How could this happen?
My first instinct was to call the bank, but then something clicked. A vague memory floated up, from a conversation with my sister a few weeks ago. I remembered her mentioning the family was planning a cruise. “It’ll be great,” she’d said, her voice bright with excitement. “Everyone’s coming.” Everyone, it seemed, except me.
