At 4:17 on Christmas Eve, my mother texted that Christmas was canceled because money was too tight for dinner or gifts. I believed her, even though I had already spent nearly $1,800 on presents for my parents and younger sister, Hailey. I ate dinner alone while they kept the gifts I had delivered earlier. Hours later, Hailey started a livestream showing a beautiful Christmas party with relatives, catered food, piles of presents, and one missing detail—my chair had been removed from the table.

A few minutes later, Mom asked me to send another $2,000 for rent. Then I watched Hailey thank Mom for the designer purse I had bought, while Dad proudly opened the expensive watch I had given him as if it were their gift. I quietly stopped every payment I had been making for them, and the next morning my aunt called with shocking words: “Maya… they just told me you own the house.”