ork, I started examining the footage. What I witnessed made my stomach flip.

Lena wasn’t doing much to aid Sharon.

The cameras showed her spending the majority of her time on her phone or watching television. She would speed Sharon’s workouts, neglect her prescription, and once shouted at her for spilling tea.

But what broke my heart was seeing Ben.

He would “drop by” when I was at work. They would sit close together on the couch, laughing and exchanging intimate touches.

I was devastated, but not totally surprised.

Some part of me knew there was something wrong. I remained watching, hoping for an innocent answer, but instead saw more betrayal.

Then followed the exchange that escalated my grief into wrath. Ben and Lena sat on the patio, believing they were out of earshot.

“Soon the beach house will be yours, baby,” Ben told me.

“I’ll talk Mom into how much you’ve helped her and how much you deserve to be praised.”

Lena giggled. “And your wife? “What about her?”

Ben shrugged.

“Cassie is clueless. “Always has been.”

I did not immediately confront Ben. Instead, I delivered the footage to Sharon.

We sat there in her room, looking at the evidence of her son’s betrayal.

“I suspected something,” she said softly, tears flowing down her cheeks. “But not this… not planning to take my property.”

We formed a plan together.

Sharon chose to celebrate her birthday at the beach house that Ben had offered to Lena.

She invited everyone, including Lena, expressing her gratitude and stating that Lena had virtually become a member of the family.

When everyone came, Sharon stood up to toast.

“Dear Lena,” she began, “I’d like to thank you for caring for me. As a token of my appreciation, this beach villa is yours.”

Lena’s eyes shone with delight, and Ben grinned proudly.

Then Sharon’s tone shifted.

“Lena, that’s what you dreamt of hearing after having an affair with my son, isn’t it?”

At that time, I stepped forward and showed screenshots from the hidden cameras. There were photographs of Ben and Lena in compromising positions.

I even replayed their chat regarding the beach house for everyone to witness.

Ben was speechless. Lena turned pale and exited the room in tears.

“Mom, Cassie, I can explain,” Ben said.

“Save it,” I replied.

“I’ve already called a lawyer.”

The fallout was fast. Ben moved out that night. I’ve filed for divorce.

Lena was fired, and Sharon revised her will to ensure that neither Ben nor Lena benefited from her estate.

Throughout this journey, Sharon and I have become closer. We’ve supported one another, finding strength in our unexpected friendship.

“You know what I’ve learned?” Sharon told me lately while we were on the beach home porch. “Trust your intuition.

When something feels wrong, it probably is. But also, surround yourself with people who are willing to face the reality with you.

I nodded and watched the sunset.

Sometimes the family you select grows stronger than the one you are given. And sometimes the most painful betrayals bring you to your most loyal allies.