The story

I went on a month-long business trip, leaving my neighbor Lisa in charge of my home — something she’d reliably done for years.

She smiled as I handed over the keys, assuring me she’d take care of the plants and collect the mail.

We exchanged hugs, wished each other well, and I left, confident everything would be fine.

But things took a turn.

Just four days in, the client rejected my pitch.

Not long after, I was let go from my job.

With nothing holding me back, I decided to head home early.

When I pulled into my driveway three weeks ahead of schedule, I was stunned to see a minivan I didn’t recognize parked out front.

Looking through the window, I saw a family casually enjoying themselves around my kitchen table.

Alarmed, I rushed inside — only to be told they had rented the house online.

Completely blindsided, I confronted Lisa.

Her expression said it all. “I didn’t expect you to come back so soon,” she admitted.

As it turned out, Lisa had been secretly renting out my home for a year and keeping the money.

I didn’t involve the police, but I did insist she return every dollar she’d earned.

That was the end of our friendship.

Still, I chose to move forward.

I downsized, started over, and eventually began renting out the house myself — legally and on my own terms.

Lisa still lives across the street.

We no longer speak. But I’ve reclaimed my space — and my peace.