All this, just because I wanted to go to college.
Margaret wiped away her tears, her gaze suddenly firm, no longer meek and pleading. Her voice was cold.
“I know. You’ve grown up, you have your own mind now. You don’t need this family anymore. My begging is useless.”
“So let’s settle this. You’re an adult now. You should contribute. And even if you won’t, at least pay back what you’ve already taken.”
Ryan nodded darkly.
“That’s right. Pay it back.”
Margaret’s hands trembled as she pulled out a notebook.
“I’ve kept track of every dollar you’ve spent since you were a child. I thought you were obedient and filial, and I’d never need to use it. But now… it’s time.”
She blew her nose and began crying again.
I laughed suddenly.
“So this ledger—only I have one? Or does Ryan have one too?”
Ryan jumped up instantly.
“What do you mean by that?”
Daniel snorted.
“Your brother is obedient and filial. Why keep an account for him? He’ll support us when we’re old—it’s obvious already.”
“You’ve always been trouble, while he’s always protected us. That alone means he doesn’t need a ledger.”
I laughed until tears came.