My mother has been stealing from my savings since I was 15. I just found out last week.

I started hustling at 15. Sold phone accessories in Onitsha during holidays. By 18, I had saved ₦340,000. Put it in a savings account my mother helped me open. She said she'd keep the passbook safe.

Fast forward to last week. I wanted to withdraw ₦2m to clear a tokunbo Camry from Cotonou. Went to the bank with my mother. She started crying at the counter. The teller looked at me and said, 'Sir, your balance is ₦42,000.'

My mother had been withdrawing small amounts for 10 years. School fees for my younger siblings. Her church projects. My father's hospital bills. She never told me. She said she was 'protecting the family.' I didn't shout. I just walked out. I paid my sister's UNN fees from my business account. But this one... this one e choke. The person you trust most can be the one bleeding you dry. I still love her. But I can't look at her the same way.