The Price of Familial Betrayal

y just a summons. The setting was the same dingy living room, the air just as heavy. Dr. Evans,

table beside him. My mother stood near his shoulder, a loyal guard. Mike was back on the

, his voice booming in the small room. He picke

ect, his eyes sweeping ove

use, will go entirely to Mike. He is my only son, my heir

still hit me hard. Decades of my financial support, of my sacrifices, erased in a single sentence. The business wasn't "Mil

I asked, my voice

me as if I' d aske

ful woman. You have your own career

own savings into that business. When the roof at the store was leaking, who paid for the re

o was now examining his fin

said, his tone dismissive. "It was an investmen

build his future, but I get no p

, without a hint of shame.

oor slamming shut, locking me out forever. Dr. Evans shifted un

ritance, suddenly sat up straight. The bored loo

with false sincerity. "I won' t let you do

cious, gloating look that

't a loud shatter, but a quiet, clean snap. The last thread of

nod, my brother' s greedy smile. I saw them for what they we

too

e,"

expected, that it startled them. All three of them l

rength. "I don' t need anything from you. And from

. "Sarah, what

ing Mike out. No more paying for your mistakes. You wanted him to be the heir? He' s all yours. T

nished. "You c

me,"

. "You ungrateful child! We are your

me as a walking ATM since I got my first job? You, who value your son' s gender over you

ed to

onger our daughter!" my mother shrieked,

ays used, the one they thought

looked back at them, at t

eat?" I said. "To me, i

and closed the d