Chapter 1

Just then, my wife, Danielle Russell, called. "Leon, I'm going to be late tonight. Bring in the clothes from the balcony and fold them. Oh, and Mom, Dad, and Vince are busy too. Don't wait up for us. Just grab something yourself."

Before I could answer, she hung up.

I walked out to the balcony. Staring at the lines full of everyone's laundry, I dazed off.

The signs had been there all along. I had just been lying to myself. Somewhere along the line, I had become an outsider in my own home.

I picked up the last apple in the kitchen.

When Vincent Tanner said he wanted an apple, the whole family demanded I give it to him. I sliced it in half to share, but all I got in return was Danielle's sharp reprimand. "Half an apple? That's not even a mouthful!"

She snatched Vincent's half and tossed it into the trash. Then she grabbed his arm and marched toward the door. "Come on, Vince. Let's go buy a whole box of apples."

Mom glared at me, her teeth clenched. "Do you always have to be so petty? Fighting over a single apple with Vince?"

Dad stood beside them, completely indifferent.

I used to think they were just overcompensating because Vincent was an outsider staying with us.

But I was wrong. I was the outsider.

I gathered the laundry, folded every piece, and put each person's clothes back in their respective rooms.

Their bedrooms looked cozy and warm, with soft, plush bedding. Then, I glanced at the cot on the balcony where I slept, and a wave of bitterness washed over me.

On Vincent's second morning here, he had come out with dark circles under his eyes. Danielle asked if he had slept poorly, and he casually mentioned that he wasn't used to sharing a room, so I was relegated to the balcony.

His parents had just passed away, and I felt sorry for how fragile he seemed. I also didn't want to make things difficult for my parents, so I agreed willingly.

But my kindness only invited more mistreatment.

Because I was understanding, I had to give up everything.

Because I was understanding, Mom only washed Vincent's clothes while I washed my own.

Because I was understanding, I ended up doing all the chores while they simply enjoyed their lives.

But before Vincent came, my family used to love me. How did everything change the moment he arrived?

Overwhelmed by bitterness, I sat on my cot and mindlessly scrolled through my phone.

Vincent had just posted on his alternate Instagram account. It was a photo of my parents, Danielle, and him, all beaming happily. A perfect picture of a loving family.

The caption read, "Thank you to my godparents' family for giving me a second home."

Comments poured in below.

"Congrats! They are your saving grace."

"So happy for you. Wish you guys eternal happiness."

I tapped the heart button and left a comment of my own. "Wishing your family eternal happiness."

Within seconds, the post was deleted. He probably forgot he had used my phone to follow his alternate account back then.

Right after, my phone rang. It was Vincent.

"Leon, don't take that post seriously. I was just joking."

I chuckled. His two-faced nature was getting sharper by the day.

In front of my parents and Danielle, he played the innocent victim. But behind them, he rubbed his favored status right in my face.

I had swallowed it all.

Later, he could just casually take whatever was mine, and my family would blame me for being petty. I tried to explain, but it only earned me more lectures.

When I didn't respond, Vincent's voice cracked with tears. "Leon, you're mad, aren't you? I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I just… I just wanted to feel loved…"

He broke down into full sobs.

Before I could even process what was happening, Danielle yelled through the phone, "Leon Booth, enough! It's just an Instagram post. Why do you always have to be so petty? You made Vince cry. Apologize to him right now!"