I spent my eighteenth birthday at my parents’ funeral, clutching my six-year-old brother Ollie’s hand as he asked when they’d be back. In that moment, I made a promise to protect him no matter what. But a week later, Aunt Melissa and Uncle Ray tried to take him from me, claiming I was too young to provide a “stable home.” Their sudden interest didn’t feel like love—it felt like strategy.

I withdrew from school, worked two jobs, and moved us into a tiny apartment. It wasn’t much, but to Ollie, it smelled like “pizza and home.” When I applied for guardianship, Melissa struck back hard—accusing me of abuse. My heart stopped… until our neighbor, a retired teacher, stood up for us in court, proving there’s still good in the world. The judge granted me temporary custody—but Melissa wasn’t done.

One day, Ollie told me she was forcing him to call her “Mommy” or go without dessert. Later, I overheard Melissa talking about Ollie’s trust fund—money I didn’t even know existed. She planned to use it for vacations and a new car. I recorded everything and handed it to my lawyer. At the next hearing, her plan unraveled. Custody was denied, a fraud investigation opened, and I was granted full guardianship.

Two years later, we’re still in that small apartment. I work days and study nights, and Ollie’s thriving—still obsessed with space and cartoons. We have Friday pizza nights on the floor and silly fights about documentaries. It’s not perfect, but it’s ours. When he whispered last night, “You never let them take me,” I smiled and told him the truth: “I never will.”