Every Sunday, my 10-year-old stepson Josh came home from his mom’s house quiet and withdrawn—a stark contrast to the cheerful boy we knew. I sensed something was wrong, but he never opened up, and even my husband, Patrick, couldn’t reach him.

Then one Sunday, while Patrick was out and I waited for Josh to return, our new security system switched the TV feed to the front porch. What I heard next shattered me.

His mom, Linda, handed him cookies and whispered, “You know what you have to do.” Josh pleaded, “I hate lying. If Dad knew you were making me steal from him…” I froze. Josh admitted she’d been forcing him to take things from our house—from my toiletries to Patrick’s emergency cash—and now she wanted my jewelry. All to help pay her debts.

I immediately confronted Linda. When I threatened to call Patrick, she confessed. I offered to help her financially, but only if she stopped involving Josh and let him stay with us until she was back on her feet.

When I turned back, Josh was in tears, clinging to me. “I didn’t want to steal,” he cried. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry,” I said, hugging him tightly. “You’re safe now. And I’m going to fix this—for both of you.”