When my father’s new wife kicked me out of my room and into the shed, I thought I’d hit rock bottom. But a surprise visit from Mom changed everything.

I arrived at Dad’s house, uneasy. Kim, my stepmom, greeted me with a fake smile.

“Michelle, honey, come in,” she said.

Inside, Sam and Leo, my stepbrothers, ignored me, glued to their new laptops—laptops Dad had said he couldn’t afford for me.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked.

“Working late,” Kim said. “We need to talk about sleeping arrangements.”

My heart sank. “What about them?”

“Your room’s now theirs,” Kim said. “We’ve set up a space for you in the shed.”

I was stunned. “You’re kidding.”

“It’s temporary,” Kim added.

I trudged to the shed, feeling abandoned. It was small, musty, and uncomfortable. I couldn’t believe Dad had let this happen.

The next morning, Mom video-called. “Where are you? Is that the shed?”

I nodded, choking back tears. Mom immediately hung up. An hour later, she arrived, furious. She stormed inside.

“Why is our daughter sleeping in a shed?” Mom demanded.

Kim tried to argue, but Mom shot back, “This house belongs to Michelle. She’ll own it in a year.”

Kim turned to Dad. “Is this true?”

Dad nodded miserably. “I didn’t think it mattered.”

Mom was livid. “You let your daughter sleep in a shed in her own house!”

Mom turned to me. “Pack your things. We’re leaving.”

As we gathered my stuff, I heard Dad and Kim arguing in the background. Mom drove me home, reassuring me, “I’ve got your back.”

Over the next week, Dad called every day, apologizing. Finally, I agreed to visit. When we arrived, Dad was waiting on the porch.

“Ready?” Mom asked.

I nodded. “Ready.”

Dad apologized, saying he’d messed up by prioritizing Kim and her kids. “I want to make it right.”

“Doesn’t feel like it,” I muttered.

Dad promised things would change. “Your room is yours. And I’ve made it clear, you’re my priority.”

“And the laptop?”

“It’s in your room. Along with an apology from Sam and Leo.”

I felt hope. “Really?”

“Really,” Dad said. “And maybe we can still do that lake trip. Just the two of us?”

I hesitated but nodded. “I’d like that.”

Dad opened his arms, and after a moment, I stepped into his embrace. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start—and I’d never sleep in a shed again.