I was devastated when the money I’d saved for my daughter Sydney’s college tuition was stolen. I came home one evening to find the door ajar and the house in chaos. A masked man escaped through the window with only one thing — my bag of cash. Jewelry, electronics — untouched. My heart sank. Years of sacrifice, gone in seconds.

The next day at work, a courier delivered flowers with a chilling note: “Told you I’d come in handy someday. Café by your office. 6 p.m.” My stomach dropped. I went — and found Gale, my ex-husband and Sydney’s absent father. He smugly offered to pay for Sydney’s education in exchange for joint custody. I was furious, but when Sydney insisted I accept — “just until I’m 18” — I reluctantly agreed.

As we waited in the courthouse, I overheard Gale gloating to his lawyer. He had orchestrated everything — had someone steal the money so he could offer it back and gain custody. Even worse, he wanted access to Sydney’s inheritance from his grandmother. “By the time she’s 18, it’ll be gone,” he laughed.

I stormed out and confronted him. His lies unraveled fast. I called the police, and they arrested him on the spot. The stolen money was recovered and returned.

Back home, Sydney and I sat in silence, staring at the returned bag. “Now you only have to focus on your grades,” I told her. She smiled and rested her head on my shoulder. After everything, it was just the two of us — stronger than ever.