“Not too much trouble?” I asked, hesitating for only a moment.

“Not at all,” Candace chirped. “You’d be doing me a favor!”

I imagined water fights under the blazing sun, laughter echoing off the wide patio, late-night video game sessions. I packed their bags with swimsuits, snacks, and handed each of them $150 for fun money. I even slipped Mikayla the same amount when I dropped them off, wanting everything to feel fair.

Annie hugged me tightly, whispering, “Thanks, Mom. This is going to be the best week ever.” Dean’s eyes were glued to the pool beyond the glass doors, already asking if he could jump in.

Driving away, I felt nothing but gratitude. I couldn’t have imagined the nightmare I’d just walked them into.

For three days, I heard nothing—not a selfie, not a meme, not even