t through the noise

o successful today? I gave him Ethan's college fund

llege fund. Years of scholarships I earned, years of flipping burgers and stocking shelves u

was boasting to my aunt, her s

se. "Ethan was never going to amount to much anyway. Look at him now. A de

I was eighteen and holding my acceptance letter, they sat me down. My

ur aunt needs our help. Kyle has this amazing opportu

tuition? It's due in a month,"

and given it to them. The entire fund. Every last cent. I threatened to expose them,

a beautiful, wealthy wife on his arm. He had used my money to network his way into her fa

warehouse. It was mind-numbing work, just enough to pay the bills for the small apartment

mother' s laughter echoed from the living room, loud and proud.

heard her say to a neighbor. "He's la

olding the anniversary cake I had bought with my overtime pay. It was a simple ca

ent numb. Th

oor, a mess of cream and s

e living room stopped.

ing over. She didn't look at me; she looked at the mess o

a mask of disappointment. "

nt and Kyle smirked from the sofa. I knelt down, my hands trembling as I tr

u'll only make it

s on a fruit basket. It was all I could afford. I broug

ry, Dad," I said

then back at his p

For you

e, turned it over in his hand, a

not even looking at me. "Go make yoursel

eams were disposable, the one who was always expected to give and never receive. That night, listening to them celebrate the man who stole my future, something insid