Still, what I uncovered turned my entire world upside down.

The debts weren’t what I thought.

Aaron had gone into debt to help my mom buy me a surprise gift—a restaurant I’d always dreamed of owning.

He’d even planned to work for free as her pastry chef in hope of making it a family business.

My heart sank when the realization hit me: in my rush to protect her, I’d misunderstood his intentions, and worse, I had torn apart the most meaningful moment in their lives.

I thought I was saving my mom, but in the end, I nearly lost her.

The damage was done, and she was heartbroken by my accusations.

In trying my best to guard her, I failed to see the depth of her love for Aaron—and the love they both had for me.

Sometimes, in our quest to protect those we care about, we forget that they have their own ways of showing their love.