When the Lights Went Out

"Have you made up your mind?"

My brother's voice was deep over the phone. There was no hint of blame in it.

I looked at the luxury watches piled around my room.

For the past three years, whenever Claire Smith hurt my feelings, she would have her assistant buy me something expensive and leave it on my desk.

"I have. I overestimated myself. And I overestimated how much she cared about me."

"Okay. Your place at home has always been waiting for you. Come back whenever you are ready."

After I hung up, I started clearing out everything I had.

Claire's mother, Fiona Bruny, walked into the living room with Claire's younger brother, Wade Smith.

When Fiona saw me sorting through my files, she crossed her arms and gave a cold, mocking laugh. "What? Living off our family for free isn't enough? Now you're coming to the company just to give me attitude?"

Wade immediately piled on, saying, "Mom, look at him! Yesterday, I only asked him to run an errand and buy me something. He actually had the nerve to haggle with me. He's been living off the Smith family. He really thinks he's one of us now?"

I finished straightening the last page of the file and looked up at Fiona.

"Fiona, do you remember who signed the contracts for the 300 million in government subsidies the Smith family has been receiving over the past three years? You know the answer.

"You think I've been living off you for free? Want me to go through the books, line by line, and explain everything to the entire Smith family?"

Fiona's expression darkened. She pointed at me and snapped, "You've been relying on the Smith family all this time, and now you dare talk to me like that? Have you forgotten who you are?"

Before the argument could go any further, Claire walked into the living room with her purse. She glanced at her watch and spoke in a cool voice. "Enough. I have a meeting. Apologize to everyone, and I will wait for you in the car."

With that, she did not even bother looking at me again. She turned and walked straight out the door.

Fiona spat after her. "See that? Even Claire can't be bothered with you!"

I watched Claire walk away. Her back looked so familiar, yet somehow so strange.

That night, I came down with a high fever. My temperature climbed all the way to 103 degrees. Claire was getting ready for bed when she saw me lying on the bed, my face burning red. She casually picked up a spare wet towel from the side.

"Why is your fever so high?"

Before she could even place the towel properly, her phone suddenly started ringing. It was Hank Lawson. His voice came through the phone, trembling with tears.

"Claire, I took the company car out tonight to run an errand. I accidentally scraped the back of it. The other driver keeps yelling at me. I really don't know what to do. Can you come help me?"

Claire's hand immediately pulled back. She turned and grabbed her coat. "Don't panic, and don't argue with them! I will drive over and handle it for you!"

I forced myself upright, my head spinning. "Claire, my fever is almost 104 degrees. Do you really have to go because of this?"

Claire impatiently brushed my hand away. "It's a company car. If this isn't handled properly, it'll become a huge problem! Besides, he only got his license recently. He isn't good under pressure. Something like this could scare him half to death!

"How old are you? The fever medicine is right there on the table. Can't you take it yourself? Why are you picking a fight with a kid who just graduated?"

The door slammed shut.

I pulled a cooling fever patch from the drawer and stuck it to my forehead. Then, I called a car and went to the hospital by myself.

The lights in the IV room were painfully bright. Families sat around their loved ones everywhere. I was the only one sitting there alone, watching the IV drip until dawn.