Romans & histoires Family More Important Than Friends

When disaster struck, only food mattered. A familiar voice snapped me back to the present. Amber set down her fork and gave me a disapproving look. "Evelyn, you shouldn't ask Dad for shares," she said. "Money isn't important. Family is all that really matters. Besides, what would you even do with those shares? You'll get married eventually anyway." Dad practically beamed at Amber's little speech. Even Mom chimed in to support her. "Your sister's absolutely right. Why can't you be more like her? Show us some respect instead of constantly talking about shares and money. It's embarrassing. You don't act like you belong in this family at all."

As far as family goes, they’re all I have… and Tyler doesn’t know anyone else. The thought hits me out of nowhere. They’re my family—but is Tyler part of it now, just because we’re married? Even though the marriage wasn’t planned and I’m only staying here for three months? What do I even call him that doesn't sound strange? He’s my husband… but is he a part of my family? This wasn’t supposed to be so complicated. When I reach my room, I unlock my phone. Several missed calls from my uncle and aunt. Two messages from Max. One from Vanessa. A few emails—definitely work-related—so I ignore them.

When did survival become more important than family? A memory surfaces. Callum and I, maybe eight years old, playing in the garden behind the townhouse. We'd been fighting about something stupid, the way kids do. I don't even remember what started it. But I remember Father pulling us aside. "You two need to understand something," Father said, crouching down to our level. "You're twins. That bond is sacred. Unbreakable. When I'm gone, you'll only have each other. Pack politics, power struggles, territory disputes, none of that matters as much as the bond between brothers. Promise me you'll always protect each other. No matter what."

She smiled at him, "Aren't you working?" "I'm done with work." No matter how busy Kevin was, he would still spend time with his family. When he reached his current stage in life, he realized that his family was the most important thing in life, much more important than money and fame. What was the point of owning infinite wealth but not having anyone to share them with? Karen smiled and said, "I was chatting happily with Mia just now, but you scared her away." "I didn't really scare her, did I?" Kevin said flatly.

“What did you do wrong? Making Emma upset means you’re going against me! “I don’t care. Apologize right now! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude to you!” Then Mom’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “Lucas, don’t talk to Freya like that. She’s your sister!” Then she turned back to me. “Freya, Lucas is still young. Don’t stoop to his level. “And we really did just come out for a simple meal today. Don’t overthink it.” Listening to Mom’s words, a wave of bitterness rose in my chest. I said coldly, “You don’t need to explain. You’re the real family anyway.”

When I returned to the room, it was with the intention of shutting down the MacBook, and then finding a way to tell Mr Wolf I had unfortunately failed him. Much to my surprise, as I sat down ready to turn it off, I saw a response had been sent. “Do you have people you consider important?” My back straightened at once, and my fingers got to typing. “My clients are important to me. I'd classify them as a priority, even over my immediate family. Then again, I have a distant relationship with my immediate family, so there's that.” I lightened up the conversation this time. Something he probably could relate to, whilst not sounding completely corny.

It's Friday and your dad, Adele and I will be having dinner with an old friend of his. "I will see about that but I can't promise anything." "Thank you son." "Whatever. I hope you don't overthink things. Money is not more important than you. My family is everything to me and I am sorry I haven't shown you how much you really mean to me." "Don't worry Babe. We love you and we will love you no matter what. Even if you disown us, we will still love you. Anyway, how is that pretty girl? Hmmm, what's her name again?...... Oh yes, Mila. How is she?"

But this year, when she slammed into me, it was like an emotional barrier falling away as I got lost in her snarky comments and deep green eyes. My life is grand if you like snotty people who like your family’s name and wealth more than you as a person. I’m surrounded by a world of shallow people who use fame and money like it’s the cure-all. And often it is. But money can’t fix a broken relationship. It can’t develop that bond between parents and their kids. I learned rather quickly what was more important to my family. Our image. I’m gifted all the newest, most expensive things, five thousand dollar watches? I have 6. Brand new sports cars limited editions? I have two.

Wouldn’t they? I thought back to how Jace had spoken about my family. He had made it seem like spending time with them would get in the way of him and me. But was it really about that? Or did he want me to push them away so I’d only have Jace. I’d have no one to turn to for help. Thankfully, Jace had never seen what a real family was like. He didn’t understand how important we were to each other. We’d drop anything if one of our own needed us. We’d go to war for our family.