I’ve been married to Pam for five years. I have a daughter, Kya (18), whose mom passed away, and two stepdaughters, Tasha (22) and Danise (25), both single moms living with us.

There’s always been tension around babysitting. Kya used to help out for extra cash, but since her stepsisters barely paid her, she started refusing. To keep the peace, Pam agreed to pay her directly.

I planned a three-day family vacation, but Tasha and Danise insisted Kya stay behind to babysit. They didn’t want a stranger watching their kids. Pam backed them. But I made it clear—Kya was coming with us.

But then, just before leaving, Kya’s passport VANISHED. While we searched, Pam and the girls pushed us to leave without her.

I confronted them, and after playing dumb, Tasha admitted they hid the passport. I was furious and ready to cancel everything, but Kya grabbed my arm.

“Dad, stop for a moment. Look at the kids. Is it what I think it is?!”

I turned to look at the little ones. OMG.

They were dressed in travel clothes. Small backpacks sat beside them. Their tiny faces, filled with excitement, slowly crumbled into confusion as they saw the tension in the room.

A sinking realization hit me.

Pam looked away, her arms crossed tightly. Danise bit her lip. Tasha shifted uncomfortably.

“They thought they were coming,” Kya whispered. “Did you tell them they were going on vacation too?”

That’s when I understood everything.

Tasha and Danise hadn’t hidden Kya’s passport just to make her babysit. They had done it because they wanted to force us to leave her behind—so they could take her spot.

The betrayal burned through me. My stepdaughters didn’t just want a babysitter; they wanted a free vacation at Kya’s expense.

“Tasha. Danise,” I said firmly, “did you tell your kids they were going?”

Neither of them spoke. The kids, hearing my words, looked up at their moms with confusion.

“Mommy?” one of them asked. “Aren’t we going?”

Tasha’s face went pale. Danise’s eyes filled with guilt.

“You lied to them,” Kya said, her voice calm but sharp. “That’s why you were so desperate to make me stay.”

I turned to Pam. “And you knew?”

She finally met my eyes. “I thought it would be easier for everyone,” she muttered.

“Easier?” I repeated. “You were willing to ruin Kya’s vacation just so your daughters could sneak in?”

Pam said nothing.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my anger in check. Then I turned to Kya. “Go get your bag. We’re leaving.”

“But what about—”

“We’re leaving.”

Kya hesitated, looking at the little kids. I knew what she was thinking. They were innocent in all this.

“I’ll talk to them,” I assured her.

She nodded and walked away.

I knelt down to the kids’ level. “I’m really sorry, but there was a mistake. You’re not going this time.”

“But Mommy said—”

“I know.” I glanced at Tasha and Danise. “But your mommies didn’t tell you the truth.”

Their little faces fell.

Danise covered her mouth, guilt written all over her face. Tasha looked like she wanted to argue but knew she had no defense.

“I’ll make you a deal,” I told the kids. “I promise we’ll do something fun when I get back. Just us.”

It didn’t erase their sadness, but they nodded slowly. I stood up and turned back to the adults.

“This was beyond selfish,” I said. “I expected better.”

Pam looked at me, her expression unreadable. I didn’t care.

Kya and I left for our vacation. It wasn’t ruined, but it wasn’t the same either. The whole time, I kept thinking—if Kya hadn’t noticed the kids’ excitement, would I have even realized what they had done?

And most importantly—how could I ever trust them again?