We’re concerned about you. Mom corrected. You’ve always been the responsible one, Adeline. But sometimes responsible people make irresponsible choices when they want to keep up appearances. David’s hand found mine again, grounding me. Adeline’s not in debt, he said calmly. She owns her own company. It’s doing very well.
Mom’s eyes widened with fake surprise. Your own company? Adeline? That’s wonderful. Why didn’t you tell us? You never asked. Another silence. This one sharper. Dad shifted his weight. Well, that actually brings us to another point. Tyler here has been working on a cryptocurrency venture. Very promising, but he needs additional capital to really scale it up.
We were thinking, “Mom, added since you’re doing so well, maybe you could invest.” Family supporting family. There it was. The real reason for the meeting. How much? I asked flatly. Tyler brightened. 200,000 would be a good starting point. could get you in as a founding investor. You’d make it back triple probably within a year.
I stared at him, then at all of them. Mom was nodding encouragingly. Dad looked expectant. Tyler was already calculating his pitch. Let me make sure I understand, I said carefully. You skipped my wedding, didn’t call for 3 years, but now you see I have money and suddenly you want a family meeting to ask me to invest in Tyler’s cryptocurrency scheme.
It’s not a scheme, Tyler protested. It’s a legitimate business opportunity. Did you invest? I asked my parents. Mom looked away. We’ve been helping Tyler with living expenses while he gets the business off the ground. We don’t have liquid capital right now to invest more. Because you spend it on him like you always do. I stood up.
This was a mistake. We’re leaving. Adeline, wait. Mom stood too, her composure cracking. Don’t be dramatic. We’re trying to include you in family opportunities. We thought you’d want to help your brother. Help him the way you helped me through college. I said, “Oh, wait. You didn’t. We did what we could afford at the time, Dad said defensively.
You sent Tyler to Europe for 6 months. I shot back. You bought him a car, paid his rent for years, funded every single one of his failed ventures. I got nothing. I built everything myself. And now you want me to just hand over my money because we’re family. Tyler scoffed. You’re being selfish. Family is supposed to support each other.
Family is supposed to show up to weddings. I shouted. Family is supposed to care whether you’re happy or struggling or even alive. You didn’t even send a card, Tyler. None of you did. And now you want my money. Mom’s face hardened. We raised you fed. You gave you a home. You owe us. And there it was. The truth. They’d been dancing around it. I owe you.
I felt something cold settle in my chest. I don’t owe you anything. You did the legal minimum required of parents. Congratulations. You won a medal. Adeline Chen, you watch your tone. Dad snapped. We’re still your parents. Biologically, sure. I grabbed my purse, but that’s where it ends. David, we’re leaving. Wait.
Mom’s voice went shrill. You can’t just walk away. We’re family. I turned at the door. No, we’re not. Family shows up. Family celebrates your happiness. Family doesn’t ghost you for 3 years and then call for money. You’re just people I happen to be related to. If you walk out that door, Dad said his voice hard. Don’t expect to ever come back.
I looked at him. really looked at him and felt nothing but relief. I wouldn’t dream of it. We left. Behind us, I could hear mom crying. Tyler swearing dad calling my name. I kept walking. David opened the car door for me and I got in hands, shaking, heart pounding. You okay? He asked gently. I will be. I buckled my seat belt.
Take me somewhere they’re not. He drove us to a hotel near the airport. We changed our flights to leave that night instead of the next day. In the hotel bar, I ordered a whiskey and tried to process what had just happened. I really thought maybe they changed, I said quietly. How stupid is that? Not stupid. Hopeful. There’s a difference.
They only wanted money. That’s all this was. David took my hand across the table. Then they’re idiots because they gave up something way more valuable than money. They gave up you. I managed a weak smile. That’s corny, but true. He kissed my knuckles. Your company is worth millions, Adeline. You built that.
Your family couldn’t see your value when you had nothing, so they sure as hell don’t get to benefit from it now that you have everything. He was right. I knew he was right, but it still hurt. We flew back to California that night. I tried to sleep on the plane, but kept replaying the meeting in my head, seeing mom’s fake smile, hearing dad’s ultimatum, watching Tyler expect my money like it was his birthright.
When we landed, I made a decision. The next morning, I called my lawyer. I want to set up a scholarship fund, I told her. for first generation college students pursuing STEM degrees. Full ride scholarships for five students per year. One-time awards not renewable so we can help as many people as possible.
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