My Brother Said I Was Family But He Never Gave Me a Home Chapter 12
“Everything you’re doing is just to make yourself feel less guilty. It has nothing to do with me.”
“I won’t change my mind because you build a swing or buy a house. I’m happy now. That’s all
that matters.”
“Mr. Scott, not every story needs a perfect ending. And I don’t owe you my love just because you feel guilty or because we share blood.”
“I don’t need more people to love. And I don’t want to love anyone else.”
“Some relationships don’t need to exist. The way we are now, you living your life and me living mine, both of us doing fine, that’s the best possible outcome. That’s what I’ve always wanted.”
“So please, stop bothering me. Thank you.”
I didn’t look at his disappointed, pained expression. I just closed the door and went back.
to my research.
After that, I never saw Christopher again.
But I still heard his name, his company’s name,
around school and the research lab.
Until I graduated and got into a PhD program.
One day, I got a call from a lawyer about an
inheritance.
I thought it was a prank.
Then two police officers and the attorney showed
up at my lab, and I realized it was real.
They handed me a death certificate from two months ago and a last will and testament.
“Mr. Scott was in a car accident on his way to visit the gravesite. He was in the ICU for two days before he passed.”
“His will states that Scott Industries and all his
personal assets go to you. He asked us not to
contact you until after your exams. He didn’t want
to affect your performance.”
“He also asked that you handle his final
arrangements and bury him next to your parents.”
My whole body went numb, then electric.
When I signed for his ashes, tears fell on the urn.
I buried him next to my biological parents.
Then I got really sick for a week.
That week, I had so many dreams.
Dreams of when we were little.
Dreams of the three years we spent together.
At the end of every dream, an old, gray-haired version of me waved goodbye to all of them.
As if I had really lived my whole life with them, and
it was time to let go.
When I woke up, I was better.
I went back to school and kept doing my research.
I hired professionals to run the company.
Every year, I used the dividends to fund projects at
the school.
I used the rest for charity and to take care of my
parents.
Years later, I stood at the top of my field.
Living my passion. Chasing my dreams.
Looking back, all those painful things were just
stepping stones that made me who I am.
I took a bottle of wine to the cemetery and visited
all of them.
When I turned to leave, a warm breeze swept
through. Three monarch butterflies landed on my
shoulder.
I stood still and let the sun wash over me.
One by one, they flew away.
Then I ran toward my parents, who were waiting
for me not far away.
I shouted into the quiet air.
“I’m okay. I’m good. And I’m going to be even
better.”
