My Sister’s Kids Broke My TV & She Refused to Pay for It — but Karma Had Other Plans

Sam leaned his head back against the wall and sighed. “We’ll save again. We always do.”

“It’s not even about the TV anymore.” My voice cracked.

“It’s that she walked out like it was nothing. Like our sacrifice meant nothing. Like we were just stupid for caring.”

Before he could respond, we heard a soft knock.

Mia peeked into our room, her blanket dragged behind her like a tired teddy bear.

“Mommy… does this mean we can’t watch cartoons anymore?”

I felt that question like a punch to the gut. The way her voice broke just a little at the end? That was the hardest part.

I opened my arms, and she ran into them.

I pulled her onto my lap and rested my chin on her soft curls.

“Not right now, baby. But we will again soon. I promise.”

And I meant it.

Even if it took another year of scraping together extra cash, she’d have her movie nights back.

The next few days passed quietly. I kept busy with work, with Mia’s lunchboxes and laundry and the dozens of little tasks that fill a mother’s brain like static.

But Brittany lingered in the back of my mind like an old splinter. No apology.

No acknowledgment. No hint of guilt.

And yet… I couldn’t stop thinking about Jayden.

He was a good kid. Caught between his mom’s ego and the world’s expectations.

So, I picked up the phone and called him on a Sunday evening. Maybe I just needed to hear from someone in that house who still had a conscience.

He picked up on the third ring.

“Hey, Aunt Alice!”

“Hey, superstar! Scored any goals lately?”

“Two last game!” he said, pride crackling through the line.

We chatted for a few minutes about soccer, school, and Halloween costumes.

I Continue reading…