Family vacations are supposed to bring you closer together, right? At least, that's what I'd always believed.

But this time, what started as a cherished family tradition became the worst time of my life.

Being a working mom has never been easy, but I've always prided myself on finding the balance between career and family.

My job keeps me so busy that I sometimes arrive home long after dinner has been eaten and the lights have been dimmed.

Despite that, I've always ensured my family had everything they needed.

My husband, Mark, also used to have a steady job, but things changed when he got laid off a couple of years ago. He picked up odd jobs here and there, contributing what he could, but the bulk of our household expenses landed squarely on my shoulders.

Honestly, I didn't mind. That's what you do for your family, right?

But lately, I'd started noticing the cracks.

My job left me with less time to connect with Mark because he'd already be asleep by the time I got home, making me feel we were growing apart.

However, I didn't think much about it. I thought we'd reconnect on our annual vacation.

Our annual vacation is a tradition we've kept alive through the years. No matter how tough things got financially, we always set aside time to escape for a few days together.

It was something I cherished because I saw it as a chance to reconnect as a family and make memories that would last a lifetime.

This year, I wanted the trip to be extra special. Especially because lately, Mark had been struggling to find a decent job. I thought this would cheer him up.

"We need this," I told Mark one evening after a particularly grueling day at work. "A few days away from everything, just the three of us."

"But I don't have a job, and—"

"No buts," I said. "I'll take care of everything. And I'm sure you'll land a job when you return from the trip with a fresh mind. Don't worry, okay?"

"Okay," he smiled. "Thank you for all that you do for us. I'm sure Eric will love the trip too."

Our son, Eric, is 20 and in college. Like most kids his age, he's absorbed in his world of parties, friends, and social media. But when I called him to share our vacation plans, he sounded genuinely excited.

"Yeah, Mom, I'm in!" he exclaimed. "Can't wait to spend time with you guys."

It warmed my heart to hear that.

A day later, though, Eric called me back with a request. "Mom, would it be okay if I brought my girlfriend along?"

His girlfriend? That was news to me.

"Uh, I guess so," I said hesitantly. "What's her name?"

"Jessica," he said. "She's great. You'll love her."

I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea. Our vacations had always been just the three of us, and adding a new person, someone I'd never met, felt strange. But Eric seemed so excited, and I didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm. He told me he'd been seeing her for three months now.

"Alright," I said finally. "She's welcome to join us."

As the trip approached, I threw myself into planning. I wanted everything to be perfect.

Little did I know, this vacation wouldn't be about bonding or relaxation. It would turn out to be one of my worst nightmares.

Jessica joined us at the airport, looking like she had just stepped out of a magazine. Her sleek outfit, perfectly styled hair, and radiant smile immediately caught everyone's attention, including Mark's.

He seemed particularly charmed by her, pulling her suitcase and even complimenting her choice of shoes. I brushed it off as politeness.

After all, she was Eric's girlfriend. What was there to worry about?

At first, Jessica seemed nice, but soon, little things started to feel weird.

Over dinner on our first night, I thought I'd try bonding with her.

"Jessica, have you had a chance to see Eric play basketball yet?" I asked.

Her eyes widened, and she hesitated before replying, "Basketball? We've never talked about that."

My eyebrows shot up. Basketball had been Eric's passion for years. His social media was plastered with team photos and game highlights. How could his girlfriend of three months not know that?

I glanced at Eric, who was busy texting and didn't notice.