Then came the phone call—Lisa asking for help again. This time, I said no. I chose peace over being used again. I rebuilt my life, returned to floral design, started teaching workshops, and slowly rediscovered my joy. One day, Lisa showed up to a class—humbled, not asking for money, but a fresh start. I let her in, with clear boundaries.

I may never get the $25,000 back. But I found something more valuable: strength, peace, and the power to say no without guilt. The real lesson? Kindness needs boundaries—and loyalty should never come at the cost of your self-respect.