"What I mean is, I've got two younger brothers. Neither of them is married yet. Down the road, they're going to need that money a lot more than we do. If we try to claim a share, it'll probably cause a rift."
It hit me all at once, and I let out a quiet, bitter laugh at myself.
He thought I was talking about his family's old house being demolished.
Of course. I'd given him too much credit.
"So that's your final answer? You really don't want any of it?"
I asked one more time. He wore the same long-suffering expression, like he was the one making some grand sacrifice. Like he owed his family a debt he could never repay.
Never mind that it was always his family showing up to take advantage of us and my parents.
"Fine," I said. "If you say we don't need it, then we don't need it."
He nodded, visibly relieved. A smug little smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Exactly. Family comes first. No amount of money is worth ruining that."
I turned and walked toward the bedroom. I didn't want to look at his face for another second.
I didn't answer him. Just shut the door behind me.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
A text from my mom.
"How'd the talk with Clement go? House or cash?"