When Olivia noticed that her stepson Josh was acting very differently, she became really worried. Despite her best efforts to get her husband, Patrick, to talk to Josh, the boy remained silent. Then, one day, Olivia overheard a conversation between Josh and his biological mother, Linda, that revealed a heartbreaking truth.
Every Sunday at 5 p.m., like clockwork, Josh came home from his mom’s house. He would walk in quietly, take off his shoes, and head straight to his room. This had become a regular routine, but Josh’s behavior had changed dramatically. The once cheerful and talkative ten-year-old had become distant, moody, and withdrawn.
He never talked about his weekends with Linda, and Olivia felt unsure about asking, not knowing how much she should interfere as a stepmother.
One evening, while Olivia was cooking dinner, she glanced at Josh, who had just come home looking unusually grumpy, and asked Patrick, “Do you think he’s okay?”
Patrick shrugged and said, “I’m sure he’s fine. Linda probably gave him a hard time about school again. She can be a lot.”
Olivia wasn’t convinced. She remembered how Josh used to be so bright and chatty when he first moved in. They would bake together and share stories for hours. But now, that happiness seemed like a distant memory. Even though they tried to cheer him up with his favorite meals and movie nights, nothing seemed to work.
Later that night, Patrick tried to have a heart-to-heart with Josh. “It’s just exhausting being at Mom’s,” Josh said. “But I know it’s important to spend time with her.”
Patrick suggested they could cut back on the visits if it was too overwhelming for Josh, but Josh quickly dismissed the idea and went to his room. As he passed by, he gave Olivia a quick hug. It was a small gesture that made her feel both comforted and even more concerned.
Olivia’s worries grew until one Sunday when everything became clear. While waiting for Josh to come back from Linda’s, Olivia saw the feed from their porch security camera on the TV. She saw Josh and Linda outside. Linda handed Josh a container of cookies and said, “You know what you have to do.”
Olivia’s heart raced as she watched. Josh hesitated and said, “Mom, I don’t want to lie anymore. They know something’s wrong. If Dad found out you’ve been making me steal from his house every week, he’d be furious!”
Olivia’s heart dropped. Stealing from his own family? She listened in shock as Linda coldly told Josh to keep taking things from their house—Olivia’s toiletries, Patrick’s emergency cash, and even some of Olivia’s jewelry to help pay off Linda’s debts.
Furious and heartbroken for Josh, Olivia marched to the front door and said, “Linda, I heard everything.” Josh hugged Olivia tightly, his face showing his guilt and shame.
Linda tried to explain, but Olivia cut her off. “I’ll help you get back on your feet, but Josh is staying with us until you can care for him properly. And you will never ask him to steal again. Understood?”
Linda, realizing how serious Olivia was, reluctantly agreed. After Linda left, Josh broke down in tears. “I didn’t want to do it. I’m so sorry, Liv.”
Olivia hugged him tightly. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll fix this, and everything will be better.”
Even though Olivia was shocked and hurt by what she had discovered, her main focus was on Josh. She promised to protect him from being used again and to make sure he felt safe and loved in their home.
