I sat there staring at the documents, my hands shaking with anger and betrayal. How long had they been planning this? Had they intended from the beginning to use me merely as a financial safety net, offering nothing in return?
Did they ever appreciate what I did for them? I don’t know how long I did this, but eventually Dad realized I wasn’t scanning anything. “Jacob, what’s taking you so long?” he asked as he entered the room.
I didn’t even try to hide the will. I simply held it up, looked him straight in the eye, and asked, “So that’s it?” “Everything.”
“For Eric. After everything I’ve done for you.” Dad’s face paled for a moment, then he sighed deeply, as if he were dealing with a whining child.
“Jacob, it’s not what you think.” “Really?” I snapped. “Because I made it clear: I’m paying your mortgage, I’m doing your groceries, I’m renovating this house, while Eric is doing absolutely nothing.”
And yet it’s the only one that matters.” Dad looked uncomfortable, but instead of giving a proper explanation, he simply muttered, “It’s complicated, and that’s all.”
No apology, no attempt to justify his decision. Just a flimsy excuse and the expectation that I would swallow it and continue to be his walking ATM. I should have turned around and left immediately.
But I had to hear it from my parents. “Mom!” I shouted. He came into the room, and when he saw the will in my hands, he at least looked guilty. But his words made my blood boil…
“Jacob, my darling, you don’t need an inheritance,” Mom said softly, as if she were doing me a favor. “You have a good job, you’re independent.”
But Eric… he’s not well. We just want to make sure he’s well taken care of.” At that moment, I lost patience.
They didn’t even make excuses; they knew exactly what they were doing, and to them, it was perfectly justified. The years of putting up with Eric’s laziness had culminated in them rewarding him with everything, while discarding me like a spare part. I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and placed the will on the table.
