Making Dad and My Brother Enemies

I watched as these people praised my brother, Jacob Hunt, while putting me down, and I gradually became disillusioned.

Dad tagged Jacob in the family group chat and said, "I have already bought the plane tickets for you guys, Jacob. You can buy whatever you like once you're in Yalara; after all, I can afford it."

Jacob replied, "I've heard that Yalara is close to Morthaven. There are plenty of high-quality stones there, Dad."

Dad immediately replied, "I know. I know. I'll buy you a big piece of emerald, Jacob!"

Felix Hunt, my nephew, quickly sent over a voice message. "I want one too, Grandpa!"

Dad replied with a chuckle, "I'll buy them for all of you, Felix!"

Dad warmly arranged presents for each person, including Katie Dafforn, my sister-in-law, yet I was the only one he didn't mention.

I looked at my phone's transaction history and saw that he had used nearly 3,000 dollars of my money for the plane tickets, billing them through the "Family Sharing Account."

It had always been this way. When I was a child, I spent only three dollars on a workbook, only for Dad to punish me and accuse me of demanding money without caring about the family's situation. Jacob, however, could ask for 3,000 dollars for a watch, and Dad would give it to him without a second thought.

I had just turned 18 years old, and Dad instantly said I was an adult and shouldn't live off him. I started working part-time and opened a "Family Sharing Account" to solely provide for Mom and Dad.

Dad went ahead and helped Jacob, who had gotten married and started a family, using that account to buy Felix's formula.

I suddenly felt very exhausted. I looked at the "Family Sharing Account" on my phone and disconnected it, finding that it was actually that easy to stop being my family's source of free money. I couldn't help but wonder how they would maintain their loving familial relationship now that I wasn't there to pay for everything.

I immediately filed for an overseas assignment at a branch office once I unlinked the "Family Sharing Account". I merely told Dad that I was going on a short-term business trip and might not return before the Independence Day break.

Dad didn't show any concern at all, only asking if I received a travel allowance before resuming his planning with Jacob. He kept muttering, "It's a relief I didn't buy a ticket for you; otherwise, I'd lose so much money on the refund."

I saw how excited Dad was while packing and flashed a mocking smile. I mused that perhaps my absence from the Independence Day trip was precisely what he desired; after all, I had always been the odd one out in the family while growing up.

Mom scowled at me and snapped, "You brat! What are you still standing there for? Why are you making such a fuss when it's just a bit of your money? You'd probably be on the streets by now if it weren't for us raising you!

"You're truly ungrateful for being so petty with your own family! You shouldn't have been born in the first place!"

It was that same line again—that a family shouldn't be so petty with each other. I was expected to let the entire family bleed me dry, and if I refused, I was the one being small-minded.

Mom seemed to feel a bit guilty after noticing my silence. She stated softly, "You shouldn't blame your father and me for playing favorites, Elijah. You're the one who brought this on yourself for not living up to expectations.

"You ought to know that a child who caused as much trouble as you would have been given up long ago. Your father and I allowed you to remain because of our compassionate nature."

I suddenly felt a flood of memories rushing back. I was transported back to a certain rainy night. I was in my senior year of high school, and I had just finished my competition prep around 10:00 pm.

Dad had promised to pick me up at the intersection, but he never showed up. I gave up after waiting for 30 minutes, shivering in the wind. I pulled my coat tight and headed home on foot.

I had just walked past the old alleyway when I was suddenly stopped by several drunk men, who mocked and harassed me. I had tried to run but was pushed to the ground. I had scrapes on my arms and knees, and my backpack was thrown aside.

Thankfully, a neighbor passing by after work shouted and frightened them away before safely seeing me home.