When my neighbor Thomas died, I tried to help his daughter Riley, who was left with her stepmother, Carmen. Carmen seemed kind at first, but as I spent more time with Riley, I started to see things that didn’t feel right. I knew I had to protect her.

I loved my neighborhood—it was warm and welcoming, filled with friendly neighbors always willing to help. I worked as a teacher and was always happy to assist my neighbors too.

Thomas’s wife Martha had passed away during childbirth, leaving him to raise Riley on his own. After remarrying Carmen, tragedy struck again when Thomas was in a car accident. I did what I could to support them, but something about Carmen’s behavior toward Riley began to worry me.

One afternoon, Riley seemed sad and distant. Carmen spoke about moving on, asking if I had thought about starting a family, which struck me hard as I couldn’t have children. Carmen seemed to be close with Riley, but something was off. Riley had started spending more time outside alone, and one day, she mentioned a man named Roger visiting often.

Riley’s life seemed to revolve around cleaning instead of fun, and Carmen seemed more interested in Roger than caring for Riley. Riley was cold and hungry, and I began to suspect that Carmen wasn’t as loving as she appeared.

I offered Riley a safe place to come to whenever she needed it, and over time, I saw her begin to open up. She laughed and smiled again, and I did my best to make her feel loved.

One evening, I overheard Carmen and Roger talking about the inheritance Thomas left to Riley. Carmen wanted to find a loophole to get everything for herself and even mentioned sending Riley away. I was horrified. I reached out to Mr. Davis, the lawyer handling the will, who reassured me that Riley’s inheritance was secure.

Despite Carmen’s hostility, Riley and I grew closer. I wanted to adopt her, but Carmen’s refusal to care for Riley made it hard. One day, after a confrontation with Mr. Davis, Carmen screamed that Riley was a burden. I knew I had to act.

With Mr. Davis’s help, I began the process of adopting Riley. When it came time for Riley to speak in court, she chose to live with me. The judge agreed, and I became her mom. Carmen was forced to leave, and Riley finally had the loving home she deserved.