Chapter 11
519words
Grandma Helen, my only remaining family elder, sat in the place of honor as we bowed respectfully before her.
Emma's parents were everything I'd dreamed of—understanding, supportive, and genuinely warm.
During my vows, I looked at Emma and our gathered loved ones: "Having closed the door on the past, we can now build our future with undivided hearts."
Three years later, the tech startup Emma and I founded went public.
We hosted a celebration gala that evening.
Just as the champagne was flowing and spirits were high,
the ballroom doors swung open.
My parents and Jason stood framed in the doorway,
wearing ill-fitting suits that screamed discount rack, their expressions a mixture of discomfort and naked greed.
"Michael!"
Mom spotted me and rushed forward, only to be intercepted by security.
"We're your family! Now that you're rich, you can't just throw us away!"
The room fell silent. Every guest turned to watch the unfolding drama.
"Bro, you're a freaking CEO now!" Jason bellowed. "Just toss me some shares! I'm not asking for much!"
Dad jumped in: "Make your brother a VP! Family is who you can trust!"
I straightened my cufflinks and approached them calmly.
"I think you might be lost," I said coolly. "The agreement you signed three years ago was quite clear—beyond the minimum support payments, we have no relationship."
Mom's face drained of color. "Th-that was just something we said when we were upset..."
"Really?" I smiled thinly, signaling my assistant with a slight nod.
The projector screen lit up with three documents:
- Jason's bank statements, revealing massive gambling debts
- A foreclosure notice on my parents' home
- A fraud investigation notice with Jason's name prominently displayed
Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.
"It seems," I addressed the room, my voice carrying effortlessly, "some people never learn independence. They only look for new hosts to feed off."
Jason lunged forward, face contorted with rage. "You smug bastard! If you'd just helped us, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
"Security," I said without raising my voice. "Please remove these individuals and ensure they're permanently banned from the premises."
Security firmly escorted all three out, their protests fading down the hallway.
Mom glanced back once, her eyes no longer arrogant—just hollow with despair and regret.
I raised my glass as the celebration resumed:
"My apologies for the interruption. Let's continue celebrating—to new beginnings, to independence, to everything we've built with our own hands!"
The room erupted in applause.
"What will they do now?" Emma whispered beside me.
I swirled my wine, a slight smile playing on my lips. "It doesn't matter anymore. Why concern ourselves with the fate of ants?"
Beyond the windows, the city lights sparkled like a river of stars.
Emma and I exchanged knowing smiles.
This was the sweetest revenge—
Living brilliantly,
so brilliantly they could only watch from a distance,
condemned to spend their lives drowning in regret:
They had pushed away their most exceptional son,
And all of it,
could never be undone.
