Chapter 2

I felt anger burning inside me.

So everything I'd done for this family all these years was nothing but a performance in Mom's eyes.

I spent 20 thousand dollars on a gold bracelet for her, and it still meant less than a five-dollar pancake. I didn't even take a single bite of the pancakes, yet she still thought I'd taken advantage of Henry.

I was an outsider. A walking ATM.

In that instant, everything felt pointless.

The sales assistant finished packing the necklace Mom had picked out for Henry and awkwardly asked how she'd like to pay for it.

Mom lifted her chin slightly, signaling for the assistant to come to me.

She knew I cared about appearances and that I wouldn't cause a scene in public. She had me all figured out.

I drew a deep breath and asked, "Mom, do you really think Henry shouldn't spend a single cent? That even those pancakes should be on me? Why are you upset? Why are you making me buy him a necklace?"

My voice came out sharper than intended.

"I've always treated you both fairly!" she shot back. "If you hadn't been constantly scheming against your brother and taking advantage of him, I wouldn't even have brought this up!"

My chest tightened. I recalled how Mom had sulked the whole ride home after Henry casually paid my bus fare during the heavy snowfall this past New Year.

I had to split the lobster and steak I'd bought for my daughter, Nancy Luster, with Henry just to earn a smile from Mom.

Spending even a cent of his money felt like some unforgivable crime.

"I took advantage of him, huh? Fine. From now on, he can have it all." I scoffed, shoving the bracelet meant for Mom back into my pocket before turning to leave.

The manager panicked when she saw me walk off. "Excuse me, how would you like to pay?"

"Ethan, where are you going?" Henry called out anxiously. "You haven't paid for my necklace!"

Lucy threatened, "Ethan Luster, if you walk out that door, don't ever call me your mother again!"

Something inside me finally broke.

Sometimes I wished that she would just admit that she favored Henry and hated me.

Behind me, shouts, cries, and Henry's soft attempts to comfort Mom filled the jewelry store. It was as though I were some kind of villain.

If that was what they wanted, then I'd play the part.

I pulled out my phone and called the furniture company to change the delivery address for the new furniture I'd bought for my parents.

Then I called the doctor and stopped Mom's targeted medication for her lung cancer.