The Unseen Genius: A Family\'s Ruin

the state math decathlon. It was the key to unlocking the promise my family had made: a new, high-end gaming PC. The money I' d sav

wling New England home, the scent of lem

ome! I

et. I walked into the living room, my excitement

fussing over Caleb, my adopted brother, who was slumped on the velvet sofa. His face was a mask of theatri

is?" I asked,

on me. "Caleb' s team lost t

the empty space on my desk where my savin

d, the words flat and heavy.

ed, a harsh, di

all you can think about is a stupid com

n, chimed in. "Caleb needed a pick-me-up, honey. It'

tly timed, manipulative sound. "I'm sor

mise is a promise. I held up my end. I won." I held up the trop

Your academic showing off is a constant sou

or the weekend from college. She immediately rushe

an," she hissed. "Can' t you see Caleb is hurtin

ard. From that day on, the unspoken, yet rigidly enforced, law of the Lester household was simple: Ethan must never outsh

us. "We will not have a repeat of that incident. Your b

he trophy in my hand suddenly felt like a weapon I had foolishly brought into their