CHAPTER 5 — THE CONSEQUENCES ARRIVE
The investigation moved quickly.
The bank confirmed unauthorized use.
The resort provided security records.
The airline provided purchase information.
The evidence showed exactly who made the reservations.
Linda and Chloe tried to explain.
They said they thought Lauren would approve.
They said they were family.
But the investigators didn’t care about excuses.
Family did not mean permission.
Meanwhile, Lauren’s relationship with her parents completely changed.
They stopped calling to ask how she was.
They only called when they needed something.
And that finally showed Lauren the truth.
She had never been loved the way she deserved.
She had been useful.
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That realization hurt.
But it also freed her.
