I loaned my younger brother $3,000 to cover rent after he lost his job. Two weeks later, I spotted his girlfriend on Instagram flashing designer bags and tagging luxury steakhouses.

My chest tightened.

I confronted him. He laughed and said, “You’re family, not a bank.”

I was stunned.

The next day, I walked into my apartment and found my TV gone. Not just the TV—my gaming console, some jewelry, even a pair of sneakers I’d barely worn.

There was no sign of forced entry.

Then I remembered: my brother still had a spare key from years ago. I had never asked for it back.

I called him. No answer. Texted—no reply. When I finally reached him days later, he acted surprised and said, “I haven’t been by your place in forever.”

But I knew the truth. I filed a police report, changed my locks, and blocked his number.

It broke my heart—not because of the money or the things—but because I realized I had lost my brother long before he ever stole from me.