Chapter 2
When I got home, my wife, Julia Reed, was busy cooking in the kitchen.
Our daughter, Cici Sullivan, was in the living room, working on her homework.
When she saw me, she lit up and called out, "Dad!"
I walked over and gave her a gentle pat on the head.
That was when a tiny crack finally appeared in the ice that had frozen over my heart from the inheritance drama.
This was my home.
This was where I truly belonged.
Julia peeked out from the kitchen, noticing something was off with me.
"What's wrong? Did your parents need something?" she asked.
I changed my shoes and walked over to the kitchen doorway.
"Dad made his will."
"Really? Just like that?" Julia replied, surprised.
"Two million dollars, split evenly between Edward and Michael."
Julia froze, her spatula paused in mid-air.
"What about you?"
"I didn't get anything."
I said it calmly, like it barely mattered to me.
Julia's expression changed instantly, her brows furrowed.
"Why? How is that even fair?"
Her voice was a little shaky with emotion.
"How can they just cut you out like that? All these years, you've been the one footing the bill and doing all the work for the family.
"When Edward needed help with his down payment, didn't you give him thirty thousand dollars?
"When Michael got married and needed more for the bride price, didn't you drain our emergency fund to help him out?
"And what about your parents' medical checkups, the utilities, the bills, who's been paying for all of that? It's always us!
"How can they treat you like this?"
Julia's eyes were red and teary.
She was angry.
Her heart ached for me.
I walked over and gently wrapped my arms around her from behind.
"Don't be angry. It's not worth it.
"I should've seen this coming.
"Maybe it's for the best. As far as I'm concerned, I don't have parents or brothers anymore.
"From now on, it's just you and Cici, you're my only family."
Julia turned to look at me.
"Andrew, it's not about the money.
"I just can't accept it. They can't keep treating someone decent like you this way," Julia said, her voice full of frustration.
I nodded.
"I know.
"I used to think, being the middle child, it was just expected of me to always give more.
"But now, I get it.
"It's not about whether I should or shouldn't. They never really treated me like their son.
"If that's the case, then I might as well stop being their son."
After dinner, Mom called.
I stared at 'Mom' flashing on my phone, but didn't answer.
I just hit mute.
The phone kept ringing, over and over, until it finally stopped.
Then, a video call request popped up a few minutes later.
It was Mom again.
I hung up once more.
Julia watched me. "You're not going to answer?"
"Nothing worth talking about."
She just wanted to pull the family guilt card, so I'd keep working for them for free.
Or maybe she was just relaying Dad's orders, telling me to keep picking up the slack for those two brothers who just scored big.
I didn't want to hear it.
Not a single word.
The next day, while I was at work, Edward called.
I swiped to answer.
"Andrew, what was up with you yesterday?"
His tone was sharp, like a boss chewing out an employee.
"Dad was talking to you, and you just walked off without even saying a word?
"You've got no manners at all."
I leaned back in my office chair, watching the traffic rush by outside.
"Is there something you need?"
My voice was flat.
Edward paused, clearly caught off guard by my reaction.
"I wanted to talk to you about something.
"I inherited a house, and I want to renovate it. You're a designer, right?
"Can you put together a design for me when you have time?
"Just like always, since we're family, I won't pay you for the design," Edward added.
Hearing that entitled tone in his voice made me feel disgusted.
"The usual?" I asked.
"Yeah, you always did it for free before."
"Oh."
I said just one word.
Then I went on.
"Edward, I used to help out for free because I honestly thought we were family.
"I figured, if my brother needed something, I'd step up. That's what family does.
"But yesterday, Dad spelled it out for me with that two million bucks.
"Turns out, this family isn't mine.
"I'm just an outsider here.
"So here's how it works now.
"If you want me to design your place, it's at full market price. You'll need to pay fifty percent up front.
"My rate is eight hundred per square foot.
"Your place is just under twelve hundred and ninety-two square feet. That comes out to ninety-six thousand in design fees."
"Put forty-eight thousand down as a deposit. Once I see it in my account, I'll get started."
When I finished speaking, the line went dead silent.
After a few seconds, Edward finally exploded on the other end.
"Andrew! Are you out of your mind? You're actually asking me for money?
"Is this because Dad cut you out? You're just taking it out on me, aren't you?
"Listen, Dad's money is his. He can give it to whoever he wants!
"If you didn't get anything, that's your own fault. Guess you just weren't good enough to win Mom and Dad over," Edward sneered.
I laughed.
There wasn't a hint of warmth in it.
"You're right.
"My money's mine. Who I design for—or don't—is my choice. That's my freedom.
"Ninety-six grand for the design. That's the price, take it or leave it.
"No money, no deal.
"I've got things to do," I added, flat and dismissive.
With that, I hung up.
Then I put Edward straight on the block list.
The world finally felt peaceful.