Chapter 3

I looked down at the cold plates.

"My parents, my brother... they dump everything on me the moment something goes wrong. You shouldn't have to deal with this."

He stood up, walked around the table, and pulled a chair right next to mine, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Nicole, do you remember what I told you on our wedding day?"

I shook my head.

"I said that from that day on, we are a family." He turned to face me. "Your problems are my problems. But you're not a burden, and neither is this. Stop thinking like that."

I leaned into his shoulder, silent.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the counter.

I picked it up. A text from my brother, Ethan:

"Nicole, Mom said you picked a fight with her on the phone? You know Dad needs surgery, right? I just bought my house, and I’m dead broke. Chloe is pregnant, and our expenses are crazy. Just cover the bill for now, and I’ll pay you back later when I have cash."

I stared at the words.

"I’ll pay you back later."

I had been hearing that sentence for thirty years.

When he broke my school projects as a kid and let me take the blame, he said he’d replace them later.

When he stole my chore money, he said he’d pay me back later.

He never did. Not once.

Before I could type a reply, another text popped up:

"By the way, Dad is already on a train heading to your city. The medical centers there are way better anyway. Mom said it makes sense for Dad to have the surgery there so you can take care of him. He arrives tomorrow morning. Be ready to pick him up."

My mind went blank.

The very next second, I hit call.

It rang for a long time before he finally answered, his voice maddeningly casual. "Hey, Nicole?"

"Ethan, what the hell is this?" My throat was tight. "Dad is coming to my city? Did anyone bother asking me first?"

"I'm telling you right now, aren't I?" he replied breezily. "Mom said the hospitals there have better specialists, so it's best for Dad. Besides, you live right there, so it's easier for you to look after him. Chloe and I can't get away—she's pregnant, remember?"

"Can't get away?" A laugh of pure rage tore from my throat. "Ethan, Mom and Dad wired you their entire retirement check every single month. Now that Dad is sick, you suddenly can't get away?"

"Nicole, don't start with that nonsense," his tone snapped back, cold and defensive. "They gave me that money of their own free will. I didn't force them. Besides, I told you I'm broke right now! If I had extra cash, do you think I wouldn't help?"

"Broke?" I echoed, ice creeping into my voice. "Who paid the down payment on your house? Who bought that SUV? Who paid for the designer bags Chloe posts on Instagram every week? You weren't broke when you were spending their money, but the second Dad gets sick, you're penniless?"

The line went dead silent for two beats before he huffed in irritation.

"Whatever, I'm not arguing with you. Mom and Dad already booked the tickets. They arrive tomorrow morning at ten. Go pick them up at the station. That's it."

"Ethan!"