After I said no, my entitled brother sent his kids in a taxi to my former address, not realizing I had already moved. The new tenant made a quick phone call that set off consequences my brother never saw coming and I watched everything unravel.

I’m not responsible for managing my brother’s emotions. I’m responsible for my boundaries—and for being steady for Maddie and Noah.

I’m still their aunt.

I’m just no longer Jason’s safety net.

And sometimes, the only language people understand is consequence.