She Promised to Pay Me Back. Three Years Later, I Realized the Truth About My Sister.

Then one afternoon, outside a local bookstore, I ran into Julia — a mutual friend of Lisa’s.

After a few pleasantries, she leaned in. “I heard about Lisa and Rick. IRS flagged them for hiding income from Rick’s side hustle. Huge fines. Lisa lost her job. The house went into foreclosure.”

My stomach turned. Julia went on, mentioning court hearings and Rick losing his temper in front of a judge.

It was karma, I suppose. But I didn’t feel satisfaction.

Just sadness.

When She Asked for Help Again, I Had My Answer

Two weeks later, my phone rang again.

Lisa.

Her voice cracked with emotion. “Ivy, they’re taking everything. I don’t know who else to turn to. Could you help me? Just a little? Just to get by?”

My heart squeezed. But I remembered the ache of the past three years.

“Lisa,” I said quietly, “you still owe me $25,000.”

“But I have nothing now,” she whispered.

“I know,” I replied. “That’s how I felt for three years.”

After I hung up, I didn’t feel angry.

I felt peace.

Rebuilding After Betrayal — And Learning to Set Boundaries

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