When my dad remarried, I hoped for a fresh start, but my stepmom made it clear I was just a guest in her home. At 18, she demanded I start paying rent, even though I was juggling school and a part-time job. I had no choice but to comply.

Then, out of nowhere, she told me to leave. “You’re old enough to be on your own,” she said coldly. Devastated, I packed my things, unsure of where to go.

That’s when my grandpa found out. He showed up at the house, furious. “This house was bought with my money,” he revealed. “If my grandson isn’t welcome, neither are you.”

My stepmom turned pale. Turns out, she had no legal claim to the house—it was in my dad’s name, and my grandpa had helped finance it.

Suddenly, she was begging me to stay. But I had already found my strength. I moved out on my own terms, knowing karma had done its job.