Chapter 3

I lowered my head and stared at the dishes on the table.

“My parents are like that, my sister is like that. Every time something happens, they come looking for me. You never should’ve had to deal with all this.”

She stood up, came around to my side, and sat down beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

“Kevin, do you remember what I told you on our wedding day?”

I shook my head.

“I said, starting today, we’re family.”

She turned her face to look at me.

“Your business is my business. Your family is my family. I don’t think this is suffering, and you shouldn’t think of it that way either.”

I leaned against her shoulder and said nothing.

That was when my phone rang.

I picked it up and glanced at it. It was a WeChat message from Grace.

“Brother, Mom said you were arguing with her on the phone? You know Dad needs surgery, right? I just bought a house, and I really don’t have money. I’m pregnant too, and expenses at home are huge. Just cover it for now. Once I have money, I’ll pay you back.”

I stared at the message, reading it word by word.

“Once I have money, I’ll pay you back.”

I’d heard that line for thirty years.

When we were kids, she broke my workbook and made me take the blame, then said she’d buy me a new one later.

Later, she stole the pocket money I’d saved up and said she’d pay me back later.

She had never paid me back once.

I was about to reply when she sent another message.

“Also, Brother, Dad’s already on his way to you by bus. Aren’t your hospitals better there? Mom said Dad should have the surgery over there, and it’ll be more convenient for you to take care of him. He’ll arrive tomorrow morning, so get ready.”

I froze.

The next second, I called her directly.

It rang for a long time before she finally picked up, sounding lazy and unconcerned. “Hello, Brother?”

“Grace, what do you mean by this?”

My voice tightened.

“Mom and Dad are coming to my place? Did you even ask me?”

“I’m telling you now, aren’t I?”

Her tone was light and careless.

“Mom said the hospitals over there are better, so Dad should have surgery there. It’s for his own good. Besides, you’re closer, so it’s more convenient for you to take care of him. Ben and I both can’t get away, and I’m pregnant.”

“Can’t get away?”

I was almost laughing from anger.

“Grace, Mom and Dad transfer money to you on time every month, and now that Dad’s sick, you’re telling me you can’t get away?”

“Brother, that’s just mean.”

Her tone hardened too.

“That money was given to me voluntarily by Mom and Dad. I didn’t ask for it. Besides, I’m strapped for cash right now. If I had money, wouldn’t I give it?”

“Strapped for cash.”

I repeated those three words, my voice turning cold.

“Who paid the down payment on your new place? Who bought your car? Who paid for all those designer things your husband has? When it was time to buy stuff, you weren’t strapped for cash. Now that Dad’s sick, suddenly you are?”

There was a two-second silence on the other end, then her voice turned impatient.

“Enough, I’m not arguing with you. Mom and Dad already bought tickets. They’ll get there tomorrow morning. Go pick them up. That’s it.”

“Grace!”