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[FULL STORY] My Own Aunt Tried to Destroy My Future... So I Made Her Pay | Readiator
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Jul 8, 2025
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0:00
Imagine having a dream, a goal so big it
0:02
feels like your entire future depends on
0:03
it. Now imagine your own family, the
0:06
people who are supposed to support you,
0:07
actively trying to tear it all down, not
0:09
just once, but repeatedly framing you,
0:12
planting evidence, even attempting to
0:14
kidnap your little sister. This isn't
0:15
fiction. This is my story, and it's
0:17
about how I rebuilt my life. Watching my
0:19
own aunt pay the price from behind bars.
0:20
Growing up in the ghetto, it wasn't
0:22
always bad. For most of my childhood, I
0:24
genuinely thought everyone lived like
0:25
us. All my friends were poor, too, so it
0:28
just felt normal. We played in the
0:30
streets, shared what little we had, and
0:31
dreamed of a better life, even if we
0:33
didn't quite know what that looked like.
0:34
But then came senior year, and suddenly
0:37
the world opened up, revealing stark,
0:39
undeniable truths. My options, as I saw
0:41
them, were simple and terrifyingly
0:43
limited. Become a substance dealer like
0:45
so many of my friends, or drop out and
0:47
start making $15 an hour for the rest of
0:49
my life. My parents, bless their hearts,
0:52
urged me to get a job. It's stable,
0:54
Miha, my dad would say. A sure thing.
0:57
But I couldn't. I just couldn't accept
0:59
that as my only future. I didn't choose
1:01
the streets either. Instead, I stayed in
1:04
school. I studied hard. I maintained a
1:07
high GPA fueled by a singular burning
1:09
desire to become an engineer. That was
1:12
my ticket. That was how I would make
1:14
enough money to not only get myself out
1:15
of the ghetto, but my family, too. I
1:18
pictured us living in a house with a
1:19
yard. No more leaky ceilings or shared
1:21
bathrooms. A life of comfort, of
1:24
security. But my parents, they were
1:26
disappointed. Every time they'd see me
1:28
studying, they'd shake their heads. My
1:30
mother would almost start crying. They'd
1:32
beg me to go the family route and just
1:33
get a job. "People from our family go
1:35
nowhere," my mom would say, her voice so
1:37
confident, so resigned. I knew she
1:39
believed what she was saying. It was a
1:41
generational burden, a self-fulfilling
1:43
prophecy they'd internalized. But I
1:45
disregarded their advice. I had to. And
1:48
as it turns out, studying really does
1:49
pay off. After 6 hours a day every
1:52
single day, after countless late nights
1:53
fueled by cheap coffee and sheer
1:55
determination, I got it. A full
1:57
scholarship to the nearby university.
1:58
Tuition, books, fees, everything
2:00
covered. It was my golden ticket. I told
2:02
my parents, my eyes beaming with pride
2:04
as I said it, expecting cheers, hugs,
2:07
maybe even a tear or two of joy.
2:08
Instead, I was met with, "Mommy, just
2:10
chill at home." Pedro got the hookup at
2:12
Popeye's. You straight college don't
2:14
want us, mamore. Use what you got and
2:16
trap a rich man. Secure the bag with a
2:18
baby for real. That's what I heard from
2:20
my parents all day long. They meant
2:22
well. I knew they did. They were trying
2:24
to protect me in their own way from
2:26
disappointment, from a world they didn't
2:27
understand. But it was exhausting. All I
2:29
wanted was their support, and I almost
2:31
gave in. Almost. Except I knew in my
2:34
heart this is what I was meant for. I
2:36
wasn't going to let myself down. So, I
2:38
decided to go. This was soon followed by
2:40
the worst decision of my entire life. I
2:43
invited my whole family over for dinner
2:44
that weekend. Things were pretty chaotic
2:47
at first. I'm pretty sure my parents
2:49
thought I'd change my mind, that I was
2:51
finally going to get a real job.
2:53
Meanwhile, my relatives had
2:54
automatically assumed it was a baby
2:55
shower and brought handme-down prams, a
2:57
breast milk pump, and a pile of worn out
2:59
toys. But as we sat around the table,
3:01
the smell of my mom's a rose cone po
3:03
filling the air. I hit them with the
3:04
most disappointing phrase of all time.
3:06
I'm going to college, the entire family
3:08
turned to my parents with a look of
3:09
disdain. My dad sighed. My mom started
3:12
tearing up. The air became thick and
3:14
heavy like the funeral of a loved one. I
3:16
tried to explain that I got a full
3:17
scholarship so this wouldn't cost a
3:19
dime. Plus, in the summer of my first
3:21
year, I could do an internship and earn
3:23
$23 an hour. This helped to lighten the
3:26
mood a bit, like a cool breeze on a
3:28
summer's day. A few nods, a murmur of,
3:30
"That's good money." But then, my aunt
3:32
Rosa doubled down. She was my mother's
3:34
sister, a woman who always seemed to
3:36
carry a chip on her shoulder, a
3:38
perpetual victim of life's injustices.
3:40
"You're an embarrassment," she sneered,
3:42
her voice cutting through the fragile
3:44
piece. "You have to give up your act."
3:47
But Aunt Rosa, I pleaded. This is an
3:50
amazing opportunity. I don't give an F.
3:53
Your family needs money, not some fancy
3:54
title. Tears stung my eyes. My family's
3:57
betrayal hit like a herd of elephants
3:59
trampling on a newborn baby. I spent the
4:01
rest of the dinner eating in complete
4:03
silence. The delicious food turning to
4:05
ash in my mouth. Meanwhile, my aunt
4:07
blabbered for hours about how I should
4:09
be ashamed of myself and how my mom
4:11
should have had me terminated. The words
4:13
cut deep, each one a fresh wound. When
4:15
everyone had finally finished eating, no
4:17
one thanked me for the meal. They just
4:19
left, leaving me to do all the cleanup.
4:22
I couldn't stop crying. The only one
4:24
that seemed to support me was our house
4:25
cat, who rubbed her face against my leg
4:27
while purring louder than ever. But a
4:29
few days later, I got the call. It was
4:31
my guidance counselor. She told me my
4:33
scholarship was being revoked, and I was
4:35
being suspended. Apparently, someone had
4:37
left an anonymous claim with damning
4:38
evidence that my essay was plagiarized.
4:41
I completely broke down. The dream, the
4:43
escape, the future. It was all
4:45
crumbling. But no amount of sadness
4:47
could hide the anger that I felt. After
4:50
I hung up the phone, one thought
4:51
crystallized. Who would do this to me?
4:53
As soon as the question popped into my
4:55
head, it was answered. Aunt Rosa. She'd
4:58
been the most vocal against my college
5:00
plans. She'd had access to my laptop
5:02
during the family dinner. I'd left it on
5:04
the kitchen counter when I was serving
5:06
dessert. The realization made me dizzy
5:08
with anger and betrayal, but I needed
5:10
proof before accusing anyone. That
5:11
night, I checked my Google Docs history.
5:13
Sure enough, someone had accessed my
5:15
essay document at 8:43 p.m. on Saturday,
5:17
right when Aunt Rosa had volunteered to
5:19
make coffee while everyone else was
5:20
eating dessert. The timestamp glared at
5:22
me from the screen, confirming my
5:24
suspicions, but not providing enough
5:25
evidence to clear my name. Still, I
5:28
needed more. I remembered my aunt
5:30
bragging about her computer skills from
5:31
her receptionist job. She was always
5:33
going on about how she was the tech guru
5:35
of her office. I texted my cousin,
5:37
Dianiela, Rose's daughter, asking to
5:39
borrow her math notes. When she invited
5:41
me over after school, I almost cried
5:42
with relief. I spent the entire bus ride
5:44
rehearsing what I'd say, how I'd act
5:46
normally while searching for proof. Aunt
5:48
Rosa wasn't home when I arrived at their
5:49
apartment the next day. Dianiela and I
5:51
studied for about an hour before she
5:53
needed to use the bathroom. The moment
5:55
she left, I slipped into Aunt Rosa's
5:56
bedroom and spotted her laptop on the
5:58
nightstand. The room smelled of her
6:00
signature perfume, the same cloying
6:01
scent that had filled our apartment
6:03
during the disastrous dinner. My hands
6:05
shook as I opened it. No password
6:07
protection. Typical. I checked her
6:10
search history, how to plagiarize
6:12
without getting caught, reporting
6:13
plagiarism anonymously, and changing
6:16
essay to avoid detection. She'd even
6:18
downloaded a copy of my essay. Each
6:20
discovery felt like another punch to my
6:22
gut, but also strengthened my resolve to
6:24
fight back. I took photos of the screen
6:26
with my phone just as I heard the
6:28
bathroom door open. I quickly closed the
6:30
laptop and returned to the living room,
6:31
heart pounding. Dianiela didn't seem to
6:34
notice anything a miss as we returned to
6:35
quadratic equations. But inside, I was
6:37
screaming. That night, I couldn't sleep.
6:40
My college dreams were crumbling, and my
6:41
own aunt was responsible. I needed a
6:43
plan. She destroyed my future without
6:45
hesitation. I couldn't just let it go. I
6:47
stared at the glow-in-the-dark stars on
6:48
our bedroom ceiling, mind racing through
6:50
possible solutions.
6:52
The next morning, I skipped breakfast
6:54
and headed straight to Miss Chen's
6:55
office, my guidance counselor, with the
6:57
evidence on my phone. She examined the
7:00
photos carefully, her expression growing
7:01
more concerned with each swipe. This is
7:04
concerning, Alicia," she said, her voice
7:06
gentle, but not definitive proof. "The
7:08
school board will need more to reverse
7:09
their decision." "Her sympathetic tone
7:12
did little to ease my frustration." I
7:14
left feeling defeated. Then, I
7:16
remembered something my cousin had
7:17
mentioned, that Aunt Rosa kept a
7:19
journal. If she'd written anything about
7:21
sabotaging me, that would be the smoking
7:23
gun I needed. The challenge would be
7:25
finding it without getting caught.
7:27
Getting back into Aunt Rosa's apartment
7:28
wouldn't be easy, but then luck struck.
7:31
Dianiela texted asking if I could feed
7:33
their cat while she and her mom attended
7:34
a wedding that weekend. I agreed
7:36
immediately, trying to contain my
7:38
excitement at this perfect opportunity.
7:40
Saturday morning, I let myself into
7:41
their apartment with the spare key.
7:43
After feeding their grumpy cat, Gizmo, I
7:46
started searching. The journal wasn't in
7:48
obvious places, not the bedroom
7:50
nightstand or bookshelf. I was about to
7:52
give up when I spotted a leatherbound
7:54
book behind some shoes in her closet. My
7:56
heart raced as I carefully pulled it
7:58
out. The entries were mostly complaints
8:00
about co-workers and petty gossip. Then
8:02
I found the entry from Sunday after our
8:04
dinner. Alicia thinks she's better than
8:06
everyone with her college nonsense.
8:08
Taught her a lesson she won't forget.
8:10
Found an old essay online, tweaked it to
8:12
match hers, and sent an anonymous tip to
8:14
her school. Let's see how smart she
8:16
feels now. The words were written with
8:18
such venom that the pen had nearly torn
8:20
through the paper in places. I took
8:22
photos of the page, my hands trembling
8:24
with anger and relief. Then I heard a
8:25
key in the front door. Panic seized me.
8:28
I shoved the journal back and slipped
8:29
into the bathroom, pretending I just
8:31
used it when Aunt Rosa walked in. "What
8:33
are you still doing here?" she asked,
8:35
her eyes narrow, suspicious. "Diana
8:38
asked me to feed Gizmo," I replied,
8:39
trying to keep my voice steady. "Just
8:41
finished." "Why are you back so early?"
8:44
"Forgot my medication," she said, but
8:46
her eyes never left me. She watched me
8:49
grab my backpack, suspicion written
8:50
across her face. I could feel her eyes
8:52
burning into my back as I hurried out
8:54
the door. I spent Sunday compiling all
8:56
the evidence, the Google Docs history,
8:58
the search results on her laptop, and
8:59
the journal entry. Monday morning, I
9:01
marched into the principal's office and
9:03
laid it all out. Principal Vargas looked
9:05
disturbed. This is a serious accusation,
9:07
Alicia. I know, but I have proof. He
9:11
examined everything, then called Miss
9:12
Chen in. After a lengthy discussion,
9:15
they agreed to present my case to the
9:16
scholarship committee. I'd have to wait
9:18
for their decision. That afternoon, I
9:21
received a text from Aunt Rosa. saw you
9:23
snooping. You'll regret this." A chill
9:26
ran down my spine. The battle was just
9:28
beginning. I immediately deleted the
9:30
text and tried to calm my nerves. My
9:32
aunt had officially transformed from
9:34
annoying family member to actual threat.
9:36
I needed to be smart about this, but the
9:38
panic was real. What would she do next?
9:40
I spent the night tossing and turning,
9:42
scenarios playing through my head like
9:44
horror movie trailers. The next morning,
9:46
my mom noticed the dark circles under my
9:48
eyes. She didn't say anything, just
9:50
pushed an extra coffee mug in my
9:52
direction.
9:53
I almost told her everything right then,
9:54
but what if she took Rose's side? I
9:56
couldn't risk it. I had to handle this
9:58
myself. School felt like walking through
10:00
quicksand. Everyone was talking about my
10:02
suspension, whispering as I passed. My
10:05
friend Letty caught up with me between
10:07
classes.
10:08
Girl, what happened? 3 days gone and
10:10
suddenly everyone's saying you cheated.
10:12
I gave her the condensed version. Her
10:14
eyes got bigger with every sentence.
10:16
Your aunt did what? That's some telenova
10:18
right there. Tell me about it. I sighed.
10:21
Now I'm just waiting for the committee
10:23
to decide my fate. The scholarship
10:25
committee meeting was scheduled for
10:26
Friday. 4 days of anxiety ahead. I tried
10:29
focusing on classwork, but my mind kept
10:31
drifting to worst case scenarios. What
10:33
if they didn't believe me? What if Aunt
10:36
Rosa did something else to sabotage me?
10:38
I got my answer Wednesday night when my
10:39
little sister Sophia ran into our room
10:41
eyes wide. Someone broke into your
10:43
email. I saw it pop up on your laptop. I
10:46
sprinted to my desk where I'd left my
10:48
computer open. Sure enough, my email was
10:50
open, but I hadn't checked it in hours.
10:53
Someone had accessed my account
10:54
remotely. I immediately changed my
10:56
password and enabled two-factor
10:58
authentication, heartpounding. Then I
11:00
checked what had been accessed. They'd
11:02
opened emails from the scholarship
11:04
committee and Miss Chen. Nothing seemed
11:06
deleted or altered, but the violation
11:07
felt like a physical blow. I knew
11:09
exactly who was responsible. Sophia, did
11:12
you see anyone touch my computer today?
11:14
She shook her head. No, but Aunt Rosa
11:17
came by earlier to talk to mom. Of
11:19
course she did. I checked my browser
11:20
history and found searches for how to
11:22
access email remotely from when I wasn't
11:24
home. She must have installed something
11:26
on my laptop during her visit. I ran a
11:28
malware scan and sure enough found key
11:30
logging software. The program had been
11:33
recording everything I typed, including
11:35
passwords. I stayed up until 3:00 a.m.
11:37
cleaning my computer and changing every
11:38
password I had. By Thursday morning, I
11:41
felt like a zombie, but at least my
11:42
digital life was secure again. I sent an
11:45
email to Miss Chen with this new
11:46
information. Her response was immediate.
11:49
Come to my office before first period.
11:51
When I arrived, Principal Vargas was
11:53
there, too. They looked worried. Alicia,
11:56
this has escalated beyond academic
11:58
dishonesty, Miss Chen said. We're
12:00
talking about cyber crime now. Principal
12:02
Vargas nodded. We've moved up the
12:04
scholarship committee meeting to this
12:05
afternoon. In the meantime, I want you
12:07
to document everything. I showed them
12:10
the screenshots I'd already collected.
12:12
They exchanged glances that made my
12:13
stomach tighten. What? I asked. Your
12:16
aunt works at Westlake Medical Center,
12:18
correct? Principal Vargas asked. I
12:20
nodded, confused by the change in topic.
12:23
The scholarship you received is
12:24
partially funded by Westlake, Miss Chen
12:26
explained. There's a possibility she
12:28
could have connections there that helped
12:29
her with this scheme. Great. One more
12:32
thing to worry about. I spent my lunch
12:34
period hiding in the library,
12:35
researching key logging software, and
12:37
trying not to have a complete breakdown.
12:39
Midway through my research, my phone
12:40
buzzed with a text from an unknown
12:42
number. Back off or things get worse. I
12:45
showed the message to Miss Chen right
12:46
before the scholarship committee
12:48
meeting. She added it to my growing file
12:50
of evidence. The meeting itself was a
12:51
blur of questions, explanations, and
12:53
document reviews. Five stern-faced
12:55
adults examining every detail of my case
12:57
while I sat sweating in a too small
12:58
chair. After an hour, they asked me to
13:00
wait outside. 20 minutes later, Miss
13:03
Chen came out smiling. They believe you,
13:05
Alicia. The scholarship is reinstated.
13:08
Relief flooded through me so intensely,
13:09
I had to sit down again. Phase one
13:11
complete. But I knew Aunt Rosa wouldn't
13:14
stop here. She'd proven she was willing
13:16
to go to extreme lengths to sabotage me.
13:18
I needed to protect myself and my
13:19
future. When I got home, my parents were
13:22
waiting. Dad looked uncomfortable. Mom
13:24
appeared torn. Sophia sat on the couch,
13:26
clutching Miesta the cat like a shield.
13:29
We need to talk about Rosa. My dad
13:31
started. I froze. Had they heard about
13:33
the scholarship drama? Did they know
13:35
what she'd done? Mom sighed. She says
13:38
you broke into her apartment and stole
13:39
from her. Of course she'd lie. I told
13:42
them everything. The plagiarism
13:44
accusation, the evidence I found, the
13:45
key logger, the threatening texts. I
13:48
showed them the screenshots on my phone.
13:50
Sophia backed me up about the email
13:51
hacking incident. My parents exchanged
13:54
looks I couldn't read. Then my dad did
13:56
something I never expected. He stood up,
13:58
grabbed his keys, and headed for the
13:59
door. Where are you going? Mom asked. To
14:03
talk to my sister. His voice was calm,
14:05
but something in his tone made Sophia's
14:07
eyes widen. Dad, wait. I started, but he
14:10
was already gone.
14:11
Mom moved to sit beside me. You should
14:13
have told us sooner. I didn't think
14:15
you'd believe me. You both seem so
14:17
disappointed about college. She took my
14:19
hand, her calloused fingers wrapping
14:21
around mine. We were scared, Miha. No
14:24
one in our family has gone to college.
14:26
We don't know how to help you with that
14:27
world. I leaned against her shoulder,
14:29
feeling like a little kid again. I'm
14:32
scared, too. But I really want this. I
14:34
know, she whispered. Your father knows,
14:37
too. That's why he's so angry at Rosa.
14:39
We waited two t hours before dad
14:41
returned. His expression was thunderous.
14:43
He paced our small living room,
14:44
muttering in Spanish. She denied
14:46
everything, he finally said. Called you
14:48
ungrateful and troubled. Said you were
14:50
jealous of Dianiela. That was
14:52
ridiculous.
14:53
Dianiela and I had always gotten along
14:55
fine. "What did you tell her?" Mom
14:57
asked. "That if she comes near our
14:59
family again, I'll tell everyone about
15:01
the money she stole from Abua's funeral
15:02
fund." My jaw dropped. I had no idea
15:05
about that. Dad saw my expression and
15:08
shrugged. Rosa has always been
15:10
complicated, but this he shook his head.
15:12
This crosses every line. For the first
15:15
time in weeks, I felt like my family was
15:16
actually on my side. But the victory was
15:18
short-lived because when morning came, I
15:20
woke up to chaos. Someone had slashed
15:23
all four tires on my dad's work van
15:24
overnight. Without transportation, he
15:26
couldn't get to his construction job
15:27
across town. The last day's wages would
15:30
hurt our family budget badly. There was
15:32
no proof it was Aunt Rosa, but the
15:34
timing was suspicious. Dad called a
15:36
buddy who helped him get discount
15:37
replacements, but it still cost money we
15:39
didn't have. I offered my savings from
15:41
my weekend job, which dad reluctantly
15:43
accepted. That night, we had a family
15:45
meeting around our kitchen table. Mom
15:47
made cafe con leche while dad laid out
15:49
some hard truths. Rosa won't stop. He
15:52
said she feels humiliated and she blames
15:54
you, Alicia. We need to be prepared. We
15:56
developed a family security plan. New
15:58
locks on the doors, passwords on all
16:00
devices. No one goes anywhere alone for
16:02
a while. Sophia would stay with her
16:04
friend Carmen after school until someone
16:06
could pick her up. It felt like we were
16:08
preparing for war. The weekend passed
16:10
without incident, making me even more
16:12
nervous. Monday brought news. I was
16:15
officially back in good standing at
16:16
school, and the scholarship committee
16:17
sent formal confirmation that my funding
16:19
was secure. I should have been
16:21
celebrating, but anxiety kept me looking
16:22
over my shoulder. The other shoe dropped
16:24
Tuesday afternoon. I was in chemistry
16:26
lab when the school counselor appeared
16:28
at the classroom door. The look on her
16:29
face made my stomach drop.
16:31
Alicia, you need to come with me.
16:33
There's been an incident. My mind raced
16:36
through possibilities as we hurried down
16:37
the hallway. Was it Sophia? My parents?
16:39
Had something happened to our apartment?
16:41
Miss Chen was waiting in her office with
16:43
a police officer. My knees nearly gave
16:44
out. Your sister is fine. Miss Chen said
16:47
quickly, reading my expression. Your
16:49
parents, too. Relief lasted only seconds
16:52
before the officer spoke. Alicia, do you
16:54
recognize this? He held up a plastic
16:56
evidence bag containing a silver
16:57
necklace. I nodded slowly. That looks
17:00
like my aunt Rose's pendant, the one her
17:02
husband gave her before he left. It was
17:04
found in your locker today along with
17:06
these. He produced another bag
17:08
containing prescription pill bottles.
17:10
Those aren't mine. My voice came out too
17:12
loud in the small office. They're from
17:14
Westlake Medical Center where your aunt
17:15
works, the officer continued. The
17:17
pharmacy reported them stolen yesterday.
17:19
An anonymous tip led school security to
17:21
search your locker. I couldn't believe
17:23
this was happening. This is a setup. My
17:26
aunt is trying to frame me. The
17:28
officer's expression remained neutral.
17:31
You've had problems with your aunt
17:32
recently? I explained everything while
17:35
Ms. Chen backed me up with the
17:36
documentation we'd compiled. The officer
17:38
took notes, looking less skeptical as
17:40
our story unfolded. So, you're
17:42
suggesting your aunt stole medications
17:44
from her workplace, planted them in your
17:45
locker, and called in a tip to frame
17:46
you? When he said it out loud, it
17:49
sounded crazy, but I nodded. She's
17:50
trying to ruin my future because she
17:52
doesn't want me to go to college. That's
17:54
elaborate. He seemed unconvinced.
17:56
Officer Martinez, Miss Chen interjected.
17:58
Given the documented history of
18:00
harassment, would you consider
18:01
investigating the source of the
18:03
anonymous tip? He agreed to look into
18:05
it, but warned me not to leave town. The
18:08
medication theft was a serious crime. I
18:10
wasn't technically under arrest, but I
18:12
was definitely under suspicion. My
18:14
parents were furious when I called them.
18:16
Dad wanted to confront Rosa immediately,
18:18
but mom convinced him to be strategic.
18:20
We needed proof that she was behind
18:21
this. That evening, Dianiela texted me.
18:25
need to talk. Not at my place. It's
18:27
about mom. We agreed to meet at the
18:30
library the next day. I was nervous
18:32
about trusting her, but Dianiela had
18:34
never been involved in her mother's
18:35
schemes before. Plus, I was desperate
18:36
for allies. Dianiela was waiting in the
18:38
reference section when I arrived,
18:40
looking like she hadn't slept. She
18:41
pulled me between tall shelves where we
18:43
wouldn't be overheard. "Mom came home
18:45
with pills yesterday," she whispered.
18:47
She thought I was at soccer practice,
18:48
but I forgot my cleats and came back
18:50
early. She was putting these
18:51
prescription bottles in her purse when I
18:52
asked her about it. She said they were
18:54
samples for a doctor friend. My heart
18:56
raced. Did you see what kind they were?
18:59
Something with an A. Aderall maybe. I
19:03
don't know, but I heard her on the phone
19:04
later saying something about the locker
19:06
plan working perfectly and how you'll
19:07
never go to college with a drug charge.
19:10
Dianiela looked miserable. I'm sorry,
19:12
Alicia. I had no idea she'd go this far.
19:15
Would you tell that to the police? I
19:17
asked. Her eyes widened with fear. She's
19:20
still my mom. I live with her. I can't
19:21
just She's trying to send me to jaila
19:24
for something I didn't do. She twisted
19:26
her hands together. Let me think about
19:28
it. Okay, maybe there's another way. I
19:31
left feeling frustrated but slightly
19:33
hopeful. If Dianiela was willing to
19:35
help, maybe we could prove my innocence.
19:38
On the bus home, I got another text from
19:39
the unknown number. Drug dealers don't
19:41
get engineering degrees. The following
19:44
day, Officer Martinez showed up at
19:46
school again. This time, his expression
19:48
was less severe. The anonymous tip came
19:51
from a burner phone, he said. But the
19:53
caller made a mistake. She called from
19:55
the hospital where she works first, then
19:57
used the burner. Same voice, very
19:59
distinctive accent. Our tech guys match
20:01
them. Relief flooded through me. So, you
20:05
know it was my aunt. We're
20:07
investigating. The hospital is also
20:09
reviewing security footage from the
20:10
pharmacy. If she's involved, there will
20:12
be consequences. He paused. The charges
20:14
against you are suspended pending
20:15
investigation. One bullet dodged. But I
20:18
knew Rosa wouldn't give up easily. She
20:20
was facing serious trouble if caught.
20:22
Theft of prescription medications,
20:24
filing a false report, framing a minor.
20:26
She'd be desperate. My suspicions proved
20:28
correct when Sophia came running home
20:30
from school the next day, crying
20:31
hysterically. It took minutes to calm
20:33
her down enough to explain. A lady tried
20:36
to pick me up from school. She sobbed.
20:38
Said mom was in the hospital and sent
20:40
her to get me. My blood went cold. What
20:43
lady was it? Aunt Rosa. Sophia shook her
20:46
head. I never saw her before, but I
20:48
remembered what you guys said about not
20:49
going with anyone, even if they say they
20:51
know mom and dad. When I refused, she
20:54
tried to grab my arm, but I ran back
20:55
inside and told Mrs. Garcia. Mom called
20:58
the school immediately. They confirmed a
21:00
woman had tried to pick up Sophia, but
21:01
fled when the situation attracted
21:03
attention. The description didn't match
21:04
Aunt Rosa, but that didn't mean
21:06
anything. She could have sent someone.
21:08
That night, we stayed with my mom's
21:10
friend Yolanda in her apartment across
21:12
town just to be safe. I couldn't sleep.
21:14
Thinking about how far Rosa was willing
21:16
to go. Stealing medications was bad
21:18
enough, but trying to take Sophia that
21:21
crossed into territory I couldn't even
21:22
comprehend. The next morning brought
21:24
unexpected news. Dianiela called, voice
21:26
shaking. Mom's been arrested. They came
21:29
to our apartment this morning. The
21:31
hospital had her on camera taking the
21:32
medications. She was crying. They found
21:34
more pills in our bathroom. I'm staying
21:36
with my grandmother now. I felt terrible
21:39
for Dianiela, but relieved for my
21:41
family. Maybe now it was over, but
21:44
something still bothered me. Dianiela,
21:47
did your mom mention anything about
21:48
someone trying to pick up Sophia from
21:49
school? The pause before she answered
21:52
told me everything. I overheard her
21:54
talking to someone named Marco. She paid
21:56
him $50 to scare your family. She never
21:59
meant for him to actually take Sophia
22:01
just to make you all paranoid. My
22:03
sympathy evaporated. That's not okay,
22:05
Dianiela. Sophia is 12. She was
22:07
terrified. I know. That's why I called
22:09
the police last night and told them
22:11
everything. The threatening text, the
22:12
locker setup, everything. Her voice
22:15
cracked. She's my mom and I love her,
22:17
but she needs help. Alicia, this isn't
22:18
normal. After we hung up, I sat on
22:21
Yolanda's couch, processing everything.
22:23
The nightmare might actually be ending.
22:25
Officer Martinez confirmed later that
22:27
Rosa was being charged with multiple
22:28
offenses, including theft and filing a
22:30
false report. The police identified
22:32
Marco through his connection to Rosa's
22:34
phone records and his previous history
22:35
of petty crimes for hire. While they
22:37
initially considered an attempted
22:38
kidnapping charge, they determined there
22:40
wasn't sufficient evidence of actual
22:41
intent to abduct Sophia. Still, it added
22:44
to the severity of the harassment case
22:45
against Rosa. We returned home that
22:47
weekend, exhausted, but relieved. Dad
22:49
installed a security camera at our front
22:51
door just in case. Mom made my favorite
22:53
dinner with extra olives as a
22:55
celebration. "I have something to show
22:57
you," she said after we'd eaten. She
22:59
disappeared into her bedroom and
23:01
returned with a small, worn photo album
23:02
I'd never seen before. Inside were
23:05
pictures of a young woman in a
23:06
graduation cap and gown. Your older
23:08
sister, your Tia Carmela, mom explained.
23:11
She died before you were born. Car
23:13
accident. She was the first in our
23:15
family to go to college. I stared at the
23:17
smiling woman who looked so much like my
23:19
mother. You never told me about her.
23:22
Mom's eyes glistened. It hurt too much.
23:24
Rosa was always jealous of Carmela's
23:26
success. When you got your scholarship,
23:28
it brought back memories. She touched
23:29
the photo gently. Rosa didn't want
23:31
another family member showing her up. It
23:34
all made more sense now. The decades old
23:35
resentment, the extreme reaction to my
23:37
college plans. Not that it excused
23:40
anything Rosa had done. Monday brought
23:42
another twist. Principal Vargas called
23:44
me to his office where a woman in a
23:45
business suit waited. This is Miss Patel
23:48
from the Westlake Foundation, he
23:49
explained. She oversees the scholarship
23:51
program. My stomach dropped. Was there
23:54
more trouble? Miss Patel smiled warmly.
23:57
Alicia, the foundation board has been
23:58
briefed on your situation. We're
24:00
impressed by your resilience in the face
24:01
of extraordinary obstacles. I blinked,
24:04
confused. Thank you. We'd like to offer
24:06
you an enhanced scholarship package. In
24:08
addition to tuition, we'll cover
24:10
housing, meals, and a technology stipen.
24:12
We want to ensure nothing stands between
24:13
you and your education. I couldn't
24:16
speak. Principal Vargas beamed like he'd
24:18
arranged it himself. Maybe he had.
24:20
Furthermore, Miss Patel continued, "We'd
24:23
like to offer you a paid internship next
24:24
summer, earlier than originally planned,
24:26
but we believe you're ready." The
24:29
emotions I'd been suppressing for weeks
24:30
finally broke through. I cried right
24:32
there in the principal's office, ugly
24:34
sobbing that I couldn't control. Miss
24:36
Patel waited patiently, handing me
24:38
tissues.
24:40
Thank you. I finally managed. This means
24:42
everything to me. That afternoon, I got
24:44
one last text from the unknown number.
24:47
This isn't over. I showed it to Officer
24:49
Martinez, who added it to the case file.
24:52
Actually, he said, it is over. Your aunt
24:55
accepted a plea deal today. She'll serve
24:57
6 months and get probation after that,
24:59
plus mandatory counseling. The judge
25:00
also issued a restraining order. She
25:02
can't contact you or your family. The
25:04
relief was overwhelming. I finally felt
25:06
like I could breathe again. That
25:08
evening, I sat with my parents and
25:10
Sophia in our tiny living room, planning
25:12
for my college future. Dad suggested I
25:14
live on campus for safety, though I
25:16
could tell it was hard for him to say.
25:18
Mom started making lists of things I'd
25:20
need for my dorm. I'll send you care
25:22
packages, Sophia promised, with decent
25:24
coffee, not that dorm stuff. And I'll
25:26
visit every weekend. We can still do our
25:29
Saturday morning cartoon ritual, I told
25:31
her. Mom reached over and squeezed my
25:33
hand. I'm sorry we weren't supportive at
25:35
first, Miha. We were afraid for you. The
25:37
world can be hard on people like us. I
25:40
know, Mom, but I'm going to make it. Dad
25:42
nodded. Yes, you will, and we'll be
25:45
right behind you. 2 days later, a letter
25:48
arrived from Dianiela. She was moving in
25:50
with her grandmother permanently and
25:51
transferring schools. She apologized
25:53
again for her mother's actions and
25:55
promised to testify if needed, though
25:56
with the plea deal, it probably wouldn't
25:58
be necessary. At the end, she wrote,
26:01
"Don't let anyone stop you from becoming
26:03
an engineer. Not even family. Especially
26:05
not family." I pinned her letter on my
26:07
bulletin board next to my scholarship
26:09
certificate and Miss Chen's business
26:10
card. She'd insisted I take it to
26:13
college with me as a reminder that there
26:14
are people who believe in me. The wall
26:17
was becoming a collage of my journey.
26:19
the hard parts and the hopeful ones. The
26:21
weeks leading to graduation passed
26:22
surprisingly peacefully. Rose's arrest
26:24
became old news as prom and finals took
26:26
center stage. My friends rallied around
26:28
me once they learned the full story.
26:30
Even classmates I barely knew offered
26:31
support. Miss Chen helped me register
26:33
for fall classes. Intro to engineering
26:35
design, calculus Y, chemistry, and
26:37
freshman composition. Just seeing my
26:40
name on the university portal made
26:41
everything feel real in a way it hadn't
26:43
before. Dad's construction company got a
26:45
big contract, bringing some financial
26:46
stability we hadn't experienced in
26:48
years. Mom reduced her cleaning jobs
26:50
from 2 to 1, giving her more time at
26:52
home with Sophia. Our apartment still
26:53
had peeling paint, and the elevator
26:55
still broke down regularly. But it felt
26:56
more like a home than ever. The night
26:58
before graduation, I found mom sitting
27:00
at our kitchen table looking at Tia
27:02
Carmela's photos again. "She would be
27:04
proud of you," Mom said softly. "Just
27:07
like we are." I sat beside her, finally
27:10
asking the question that had bothered me
27:11
for weeks. Why did you let Aunt Rosa
27:14
talk to me that way at dinner? Why
27:15
didn't you defend me? Mom's eyes filled
27:18
with tears. Because I was a coward,
27:20
Alicia, I've been afraid my whole life.
27:23
Afraid of not having enough money.
27:25
Afraid of losing our apartment. Afraid
27:27
of hoping for too much. When Rosa spoke,
27:29
she voiced all my fears. She took my
27:32
hand. But watching you fight for your
27:34
dreams taught me something. Sometimes
27:36
the biggest risk is not taking any risks
27:38
at all. The next morning, I put on my
27:40
graduation gown and cap. Sophia helped
27:42
pin the honor society cord in place. We
27:45
took family photos in front of our
27:46
building. Dad proudly showing off his
27:48
new smartphone camera skills. As we
27:51
headed to the ceremony, I spotted an
27:52
envelope taped to our door. Inside was a
27:54
graduation card with a check for $500.
27:57
The signature simply read TSC with a
27:59
small star drawn beside it. Mom gasped
28:02
when she saw it. Carmemella's old
28:04
roommate from college, she whispered.
28:06
She must have heard about everything
28:08
from my Facebook posts. It felt like a
28:10
sign, a connection to the family college
28:12
graduate I never knew. I tucked the card
28:14
carefully into my purse as we headed
28:16
out. At the ceremony, I sat with my
28:18
classmates in alphabetical order,
28:19
scanning the audience for my family.
28:21
There they were, Mom, Dad, and Sophia in
28:23
the fifth row, waving enthusiastically.
28:25
They'd brought homemade signs with my
28:27
name and future engineer written in
28:28
glitter. When Principal Vargas called my
28:30
name, the applause was thunderous, not
28:33
just from my family, but from teachers
28:34
who had supported me and classmates who
28:36
had witnessed my struggle. As I accepted
28:38
my diploma, I spotted Miss Chen giving
28:40
me a thumbs up from the side of the
28:41
stage. In that moment, I understood
28:43
something important. Family isn't just
28:46
blood. It's the people who believe in
28:47
you, who fight alongside you, who help
28:50
you become who you're meant to be.
28:52
Sometimes that includes relatives,
28:53
sometimes it doesn't. I held my diploma
28:55
high as I walked across the stage,
28:57
thinking about the journey ahead.
28:58
College wouldn't be easy, but nothing
29:00
worthwhile ever is. I had overcome my
29:02
aunts sabotage, strengthened bonds with
29:04
my parents, and discovered my own
29:06
resilience along the way. The future
29:07
stretched before me, full of
29:09
possibilities that once seemed
29:10
impossible for a girl from my
29:11
neighborhood. As I took my seat again, I
29:13
noticed a text from an unknown number.
29:15
Congratulations. Make us proud. No
29:17
threat this time, just encouragement
29:19
from someone who chose to remain
29:20
anonymous. Maybe Dianiela, maybe Tia
29:22
Carmela's friend, maybe someone else
29:24
entirely who had heard my story. I
29:27
smiled and turned my phone off, focusing
29:28
on the ceremony. The past few months had
29:31
taught me that while people might try to
29:32
derail your dreams, determination and
29:34
the right support system make you
29:35
unstoppable. Aunt Rosa had tried her
29:37
worst. I was still standing. And in the
29:40
fall, I would be exactly where I
29:41
belonged, in a college classroom,
29:43
building the future I had always
29:44
imagined.