7
SLAP! My hand stung, but the satisfying
smack echoed in the room. I’d put all my
strength into it.
“Ethan!” Mom rushed to his side, checking his
reddening cheek.
I looked at Ethan, his face a mask of
disbelief. “You’re right,” I said. “I don’t need
to be your brother anymore. Alex is your
brother now.” I gestured around. “If I’ve ever
made a mistake, it was coming back to this
house. Do whatever you want. I don’t need
the room, the photos, any of it.”
I grabbed my suitcase. It was still packed,
since I hadn’t even had a chance to unpack
before realizing my room was gone.
Convenient.
“Noah, what are you doing? Are you running
away?!” Mom cried, reaching for me.
“Let him go,” Dad said coldly. “I’d like to see
how he manages. He acts like we’ve wronged
him by bringing him into this world. Let’s see
how long he lasts without our money for
tuition.”
L
They were resorting to threats now. Little did
they know, I’d been saving money since I was
ten. Coupled with the investments I’d made
with Olivia, I didn’t need their tuition money.
