“I have been managing budgets, investors, and contracts for years, Mom,” I said while I tried not to laugh at her comment. My father raised his hand in an annoyed gesture and told me that family is different because family protects you while business people only want a commission.
“We think it would be best if you gave us access to your accounts for security in case of an emergency,” my mother added. I stared at her without blinking and asked her if she was seriously asking for total access to my money.
“Don’t be so dramatic because people with money arrange these things all the time,” Brianna interjected without looking up from her phone. I told them that I already had professional lawyers and accountants to handle my affairs.
My father let out a short laugh and reminded me that those were people I paid while they were my actual blood. I felt something icy run down my chest as I asked them what they said to me when I originally asked for help to start the company.
My mother pursed her lips and claimed that the situation back then was different. “You told me that giving away money makes people weak and that I needed to learn responsibility the hard way,” I reminded them.