Maternity leave was supposed to be a time of bonding with my newborn, but it quickly turned into a nightmare when my coworker Emily decided she was entitled to more than just a ride to work. Her audacious actions tested the limits of our patience and pushed us to confront the lengths we’d go to protect our family.

My name is Katie. Life has been a whirlwind lately. Between moving in with my husband, Mark, and preparing for our first baby, things have been busy. Mark is my rock—steady, kind, and a bit of a people-pleaser.

Emily, my coworker, had been relying on me for rides to work. With my maternity leave approaching, she panicked, suggesting Mark drive her instead. I refused, but Emily showed up early one morning, begging for help. Mark, initially hesitant, eventually refused too.

Undeterred, Emily took our car without permission. Mark confronted her, setting firm boundaries. Emily left, and we secured our home, focusing on our family’s safety and well-being.