My name is Anna, and I used to believe hard work always wins.

I was halfway back to my car when my phone lit up with my dad’s name. The moment I answered, I heard him break. He was crying.

“Anna… I didn’t know she’d really do it,” he choked. “She told me she was moving around ‘family funds.’ I didn’t realize she meant your savings.”

I pressed the phone tighter to my ear.

“That money was for Mia,” I said. “You knew that.”

He exhaled shakily. “Your mother said it was still a joint account… that you weren’t using it yet… that we’d help Rebecca now and ‘sort it out later.’ I thought she meant she’d pay it back somehow.”