I sat there staring at the papers, my hands trembling with anger and betrayal. How long had they been planning this? Had they only ever intended to use me as a financial safety net without giving anything in return?
Did they ever appreciate what I had done for them? I don’t know how long I kept this up, 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 this is it, then?” “Everything.”
“For Eric. After everything I’ve done for you.” Dad’s face went pale for a moment, then he sighed deeply, as if dealing with a whining toddler.
“Jacob, it’s not what you think.” “Really?” I snapped at him. “Because I made it perfectly clear: I pay your mortgage, I do your shopping, I renovate this house, while Eric does absolutely nothing.”
And yet he’s the only one who matters.” Dad seemed uncomfortable, but instead of a proper explanation, he just mumbled, “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 being his walking ATM. I should have turned around and left immediately.
But I had to hear it from my parents. “Mom!” I yelled. He came into the room and, seeing the will in my hands, 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 doing well. “We just want to make sure he’s well taken care of.” That was the last straw.
They weren’t even making excuses; they knew exactly what they were doing, and for them, it was perfectly justified. The years they’d put up with Eric’s laziness had now culminated in them rewarding him with everything while discarding me like a spare part. I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth, and laid the will on the table.
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