I thought I knew my wife, Dana. But when my 18-year-old sister Ava came to live with us during her recovery from a serious illness,
everything changed. At first, things were fine—until Ava withdrew completely. Eventually, she tearfully confessed that Dana had been
taking her allowance money, claiming Ava needed to “pay rent.” That money was meant to support Ava’s healing, not fund Dana’s spa days and brunches.
I didn’t yell. I quietly canceled every service I paid for Dana—her phone, yoga, everything. When she noticed and called in a panic, I calmly said,
“Maybe Ava’s rent can cover it.” That silence told me everything. Dana tried to justify it, but the trust was broken. Days later, I chose to end the marriage.
Sitting with Ava, I apologized for not seeing it sooner. She said, “You did. You believed me.” And in that moment,
I knew I’d made the right choice. I didn’t just walk away from a toxic relationship—I stood by the person who needed me most.
