All Chapters of The Snack That Ended Our Blood Ties: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I had finally received my project bonus after two months of overtime.On my birthday, I took my mom, Lucy Carter, to a jewelry store and bought her the gold bracelet she'd been wanting for a long time.After all, my birthday is also the day she gave birth to me.I felt pretty good about it and was certain that she'd be touched and proud to see that her son had made something of himself.But as she watched the store manager pack the bracelet, her expression darkened."You're pretty good at taking advantage of people. You still haven't paid your brother back for the last time he bought us pancakes," she suddenly said."You've got a good job, but your brother barely makes anything. Yet he still treats us to meals. He's not like you. You're always scheming and trying to look good while pinching pennies."My hand froze mid-signature. I thought she was joking.She pressed on. "Sure, you take good care of the family, but you're never around. You don't even bother to remember what we l

After picking up Nancy, I went back to my parents' house.I had left my briefcase there when I went out to buy the gold bracelet.The moment I stepped inside, an air conditioner remote flew past my face and slammed into the doorframe.Mom sat on the couch with red eyes. She scoffed. "Look who had the nerve to come back."She exchanged a glance with my dad, Isaac Luster, as if they had me completely under control.I didn't say a word. I grabbed my briefcase and turned to leave.Dad stepped in front of me."Did you just embarrass your mom in public just because she said a couple of things? It was just some pancakes. Here's five bucks. Don't make a scene."He transferred five bucks to me and glared at me as though he were tossing coins to a beggar. "There. Now go apologize to your mom."It turned out that when someone was pushed past a certain point, they really did start laughing.I let out a short laugh.Mom thought I'd given in. She leaned back in the massage chair I had jus

My coworkers were scared witless. Security had to get involved.I got the notice and took the elevator down. I was a manager now. Honestly, a scene like this wasn't enough to rattle me in the slightest."Are you done yet?" I asked, glaring coldly at Mom."Do you think you're the only one who can make a scene?" she sneered. "Mess with your brother, and I'll destroy you. I'd do anything for him."I pulled out my phone and made a call. "Yeah. Go to Henry's wife's workplace and ask for the money. Yeah, right now. She just got a government job and is still on probation."Mom's lips trembled. She grabbed my arm, panic flashing across her face. "Ethan, you ungrateful brat! You can't do this! You know Henry doesn't have any money!" she blurted."He has money for a car but not to pay me back?" I growled. "I work in the private sector. I'm not afraid of you making a scene. I can always find another job. But his wife? She finally got into public service after years of preparation. If she lo

Mom's eyes crinkled as she forced a smile and looked at me eagerly. "Ethan, you've been working hard. I made you some stew."I sat back in my chair and watched her without emotion."What do you want? Just spit it out."She opened the thermos. A familiar fishy stench filled the room.I couldn't help but remember this past New Year. Mom had made roast beef. Both Henry and I praised it.She kept piling slices onto Henry's plate. Even when he said he'd had enough, she didn't stop.After the meal, she kept going on about how I'd eaten eight pieces while Henry had only eaten ten.When I was leaving, I asked if I could take some home. She said there wasn't any left.But right after that, I saw her sneak a large container to Henry. When he refused, she stuffed it into the trunk.When she realized I'd seen her, she awkwardly rubbed her neck. "Do you really want some? It's a hassle to reheat. You have to pressure cook it. There's not much left, and your dad likes it too. But if you real

The security guard looked like he was caught in the middle. The property manager texted me, and after getting my permission, he told her, "Mr. Luster moved to the capital."Mom's eyes widened. She looked like her soul had just left her body."That's impossible… Ethan would never leave me. He cares about his dad and me the most… How could he leave us?" she muttered.I was at a loss for a moment.So she did know.She knew how much I cared, how devoted I'd been, and how much I'd worried about them.She just didn't care. She even used it against me.…The day before I left for good, my cousin asked me to meet her at a cafe.I had just sat down when I saw Mom walking toward me.My cousin lowered her head apologetically. "I'm so sorry… My mom forced me to. She said if I didn't help your mother, she'd cut me off financially."After everything I'd been through, my heart had already hardened. I blocked her without another word.Mom's eyes were glistening with tears. Her hands were r