I canceled the card, removed David as an authorized user, secured my accounts, and changed my passwords. The next morning, the contractor arrived expecting another payment, only to discover the card had been deactivated. I explained that I was the sole legal owner and had never authorized the renovation. The contractor immediately stopped the work. Then, instead of letting Sarah dictate another decision, I hired him myself and gave him new instructions: restore my bedroom, rebuild my kitchen, and install dark cherry cabinets with a deep blue backsplash. Sarah protested that her mother would hate the design. I looked directly at her and said, “Your mother isn’t moving into my house.”

When I called a locksmith to change every exterior lock, David finally began to understand that I was serious. Sarah threatened to leave, then discovered their bank account held only $34. They had been living beyond their means while assuming my money would always rescue them. David asked where they were supposed to go. I gave him $40 for gas, but I refused to solve the rest of their problems. Before leaving, Sarah threatened to make sure I would never meet their future children. I told her that if she taught them entitlement was acceptable, distance might be best for everyone. Then I watched them drive away.