The Son They Betrayed의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

Mom looked at me and tried to comfort me. "Quinton, we're not a wealthy family. You've always been such a good boy. Can't you stop competing with Mikael?"I'd heard those same words all my life.Only now did I finally understand that being called "good" wasn't a compliment. It was a shackle.With that one word, she made me willingly give up everything I had and become Mikael's personal caretaker, cleaning up every mess he made.I wiped my tears and said, "I understand, Mom. I won't ask you to buy me anything anymore."Hearing that, Mom smiled and patted my head. She speared a piece of apple with a fork and held it to my mouth. "My good boy. Here's an apple for you."It was the kind of treatment Mikael always received, something I'd envied for years.Mom knew how much I wanted that affection. Whenever she needed something from me, she would feed me something herself.But this time, I turned my head and said flatly, "All I want is for you to give me back my scholarship money. I e

When Mom saw me come out, she snorted. "Some people should stop eating the food I cook if they think they're so capable."My only response was the sound of my bedroom door closing.I went to my tutoring job. The parent there had told me meals were included.When I got home, Mom was sitting on the couch with a cold expression. She asked where I'd been wandering around."I found a part-time job. I'm saving up for a new phone."Her expression softened a little. She handed me several sheets of paper. The title was written in thick black marker:[Things to Remember When Taking Care of Mikael]1. Change his sheets and bedding at least once a month. Mikael doesn't know how, so remember to do it for him.2. Mikael kicks off his blankets when he sleeps. Get up during the night to check on him so he doesn't catch a cold.3. Do Mikael's assigned dorm chores for him.4. Mikael likes spicy food, but too much of it makes him sick. Remember to make him lemonade regularly....99. By the way, I

Although I'd already prepared myself to earn my own living expenses through part-time work, tears still welled up in my eyes when my parents said that.It wasn't the first time they'd used money to control me.When I was in high school, I once had a fever of 103 degrees and felt miserable all over.Mikael was standing outside my room, making a fuss because he wanted croissants from the shop on Oak Street.Mom must have been busy. She pushed open my bedroom door and ordered me to go buy them for him."Mom, I don't feel well."She frowned. "It's just buying something. It won't take long.""Then why don't you let Mikael go buy them himself?""Mikael doesn't know how to buy things. He doesn't even know his way around. What if he gets lost?""Mom, I have a fever of 103 degrees. What if I pass out on the way?"Mom clicked her tongue impatiently. "You sound perfectly strong to me. You don't look like someone with a fever."My throat tightened. I wanted to explain."Enough. You cou

A month passed, and orientation day was approaching.Mom sent me a flood of messages.Some told me to hurry up and book a good hotel for them because they'd been driving all day and would be starving.Other texts ordered me to wait for them when they arrived so I could help carry Mikael's luggage and unpack his things.I turned on Do Not Disturb and continued tutoring my student. This was my final lesson.The little boy, Trace Mason, looked at me reluctantly. "Mr. Pruitt, are you coming back? I've hidden all my snacks. You can have them."Delaney came over carrying a plate of fruit and smiled. "Trace really likes you. If you could keep tutoring him, would you be willing to accept a little more money?"I turned away and wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. "You don't need to pay me more. You've already helped me so much.""Don't say that. Trace's grades have improved so much this semester. It's all thanks to you. He's a shy child. Even when he doesn't understand somethin

"Quinton, are you still angry with me? How much scholarship money did you get at Bellwether University? And you've been working part-time too. You must have earned quite a bit, right?"I caught the probing look in Mom's eyes. My gaze was filled with contempt. "What? Still trying to bleed me dry?"Mom's face went pale. "Quinton, how can you say something like that?""Because that's exactly what you've always done. If you think you're not that kind of person, then give me back my scholarship money and everything I earned from my part-time jobs." I held out my hand.Mom slapped it away. "After all that, I still thought of you today, on Thanksgiving. I came all this way just to bring you some pie. You're not even grateful. How can you treat your own mother like this?"She clutched her chest and began to cry.I stood up. "I'm going back now. I can't entertain you any longer.""Quinton!" Mom grabbed my hand. "Your father is sick, and Mikael is still young. He needs money for living ex