Chapter 4
I walked out of the café, the winter wind cutting right through my collar and making me shiver.
Brother-obsessed.
I took on the debt for my brother, wrecked my credit, lost my shot at buying a house, and even my chance at marriage.
And in the end, all I got was that label.
Four years later, I finally managed to track Michael down.
He didn't reach out to me.
I had to ask around, get his address, and show up at his door.
He lived in a new development on the south side of town. A three-bedroom, two-bathroom place, just under fourteen hundred square feet. Fully upgraded.
A young woman, clearly pregnant, opened the door.
"Who are you looking for?" she asked, a bit wary.
"Is Michael here?" I asked.
"And you are...?" she said, giving me a quick once-over.
"I'm his sister," I said.
She froze for a moment, then turned back and called, "Honey, someone's at the door for you."
Michael walked out of the bedroom, and when he saw me, his expression froze.
"Hailey..." he said.
"Long time no see," I said, glancing at him, then at the young woman. "So, this is your wife?"
"Yeah," he said, letting out an awkward laugh. "We got married last year."
"Oh," I nodded. "Why didn't you invite me to the wedding?"
He didn't answer.
"Not even a single invite for me?" I continued. "Did Mom come?"
"Yeah," he said quietly, his voice low.
I took in this apartment, the fresh renovations, the brand-new furniture, and his wife with a baby on the way.
"How much did this place cost?" I asked.
"Hailey, don't..." Michael started, but I cut him off.
"How much?" I pressed.
"Six hundred thousand dollars," he mumbled, barely audible.
"Did you pay cash, or did you get a loan?" I asked.
"I... I paid cash," he stammered.
I couldn't help but laugh.
He bought this place outright for six hundred thousand dollars.
A fourteen-hundred-square-foot apartment, fully renovated.
He got married last year.
Didn't even bother to send me an invite.
"And what about that loan?" I asked, my voice cold. "When are you going to pay it back?"
He didn't say a word.
"My credit's been ruined for four years," I said, looking straight into his eyes. "Do you even know what I've been through these past four years?"
He still didn't say a word.
"I can't even rent an apartment because landlords see my credit and refuse," I said, my voice cold.
"I can't buy a house because the bank won't approve my loan," I continued.
"I can't even get through a blind date," I said, my voice trembling with frustration.
"But look at you," I pointed at the apartment. "You paid cash for this place, got married, have a kid on the way—living it up while I'm stuck in the mess you left behind."
"Hailey, I..." Michael mumbled, his voice fading.
"What is it?" I snapped, cutting him off. "You've got money for a fancy apartment, but not enough to pay back your loan?"
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
"Your parents gave us the money," the woman chimed in. "They paid for the house, so why does it matter to you?"
I turned to look at her.
"Do you even know what that two hundred ninety thousand dollars was all about?" I asked, my voice cold.
"Yeah, I know," she smirked. "You were the co-signer, right? You did it of your own free will—so why are you blaming Michael?"
I took a deep breath.
"I'm his sister," I said.
"So what if you helped your brother? That's what sisters are supposed to do," she replied defensively. "Whatever goes on in your family, it's got nothing to do with me."
I glanced at her, then shot a look at Michael.
Michael stared down at the floor, completely silent.
"Fine," I said with a nod. "Perfect. Just perfect."