Becoming an Adult Overnight
The day after burying our parents, I became an adult—not because I turned eighteen, but because someone tried to take my little brother, Max, away. Standing at their grave, I promised, “I won’t let anyone take you. Ever.” But Aunt Diane and Uncle Gary didn’t share that care. They said, “It’s for the best, Ryan,” and soon filed for custody. I knew they didn’t want us out of love.

Fighting to Keep Max
I dropped out of college and worked two jobs to support Max and myself in a tiny apartment. I filed for legal guardianship despite being young and struggling. Then Diane accused me of neglect, saying I “scream at him” and “hit him.” But our neighbor, Ms. Harper, stood up for me in court, saying, “That boy is raising his brother with more love than most parents show their kids in a lifetime.” The judge allowed Diane only supervised visits.

Uncovering the Truth
One night, Max ran to me crying, saying Diane demanded he call her Mommy or lose dessert. I told him, “You only have one Mommy. And she’s in your heart.” Then I overheard Diane and Gary plotting, “Once we get custody, the state will release the trust fund.” I discovered our parents had set up a $200,000 trust for Max. Diane wanted the money. I secretly recorded them saying things like, “I just want a new car. And maybe that Hawaii vacation.” I sent the recording to my lawyer.

Victory and New Beginnings
At the final hearing, my lawyer played the recording. The judge condemned Diane, saying, “You manipulated this court. You used a child as a tool for financial gain.” I was granted full guardianship and offered housing help for our “extraordinary circumstances.” Now, two years later, Max calls me “big bro and hero.” We aren’t perfect, but “we are safe.” When he whispered, “You never gave up on me,” I told him, “I never will.”