Chapter 4

"You always claimed to love Alex the most, but didn't all the good stuff always go to Chloe in the end?!"

"What are you talking about?!"

I clenched my fists tightly, not daring to make a sound.

"Weren't all the designer clothes he bought for you knock-offs?!"

"And the snacks he bought you, weren't they always the ones Chloe didn't like?!"

"And the cash gifts, didn't you always slip Chloe an extra bill the very next day?!"

"How dare *you* accuse *me* of favoring girls?!"

My blood ran cold.

The argument inside continued, and my mind went blank with a buzzing sound.

I walked back to my room with stiff steps.

I pulled the covers over my head, finally letting the tears flow freely.

As I cried, I picked up my phone.

I opened Eleanor's SnapChat chat and slowly typed "Okay."

...

The next day, I showed up with puffy, red eyes.

Chloe, seeing me at the breakfast table, snorted.

"Mom's buying you an apartment, what are you crying for?! So dramatic!"

My mother silently drank her coffee.

My father, seeing my state, brought me an ice pack for my eyes, all while shooting me meaningful glances.

I knew what he wanted, and slowly I spoke.

"I don't want the apartment. Let Chloe have the money."

Chloe looked at me in disbelief.

"You... you're crazy?"

Hearing this, my father pretended to be angry with Chloe.

"How can you talk to your brother like that!"

"Your brother is successful; he can buy his own apartment. Not like you, who only knows how to mooch off her parents!"

Though she was scolded, Chloe's face was beaming.

"That's right! Older brothers should always take care of their younger sisters!"

"Mom, since Alex doesn't want it, buy it for me!"

"Perfect, three apartments. You and Dad live in one, Ethan and I live in one, and the last one for Ethan's parents."

My mother finally looked up at me, just about to speak, when a knock sounded at the door.

Chloe's fiancé arrived.

"Ethan, what brings you here?"

My father greeted him, his face eager to please.

"I came to visit for the holidays."

Though he said this, Ethan's face held no trace of a smile.

My father quickly took out a cash gift and handed it to him.

To my surprise, Ethan pushed it away, speaking in a cold voice.

"Chloe, I've decided not to marry you!"

Hearing this, Chloe's face changed.

"Why?"

Ethan sneered, looking at me.

"Why? Your parents said all the family assets would go to you, but now they want to buy your brother an apartment! Why would we even get married then?!"

Hearing this, my father anxiously spoke.

"Ethan, don't worry, that won't happen."

"Alex already said he doesn't want the apartment Eleanor bought him."

Chloe quickly chimed in.

"That's right, Mom already promised to buy that apartment for us, and then we'll bring your parents over too."

Ethan's eyes flickered with a hint of struggle.

"I don't believe it! Unless..."

"Unless all three apartments are transferred to our names!"

Hearing this, I laughed, infuriated.

"Ethan, aren't you being too greedy?"

Before he could answer, my mother, who had been silent, suddenly stared at me and spoke.

"Fine. After the holidays, we'll go handle the transfer!"

Seeing my mother agree, the three of them immediately beamed with joy.

"Eleanor, I knew you loved your daughter the most!"

Ethan quickly changed his expression to a smiling one.

Then, he looked at me with mockery.

"Alex, if you want to buy an apartment, go work for it yourself! Don't always depend on your parents' stuff!"

"From now on, this is Chloe's and my home. As an outsider, you should come back less often!"

With that, he and Chloe walked out hand-in-hand to go shopping.

My father looked at me, his lips trembling, but in the end, he said nothing.

My last shred of hope finally shattered.

Just then, my mother sent me a message.

"Parkside Estates, Building 10, 8th floor, Unit 5. Your new apartment. Go check it out."

"If you like it, I'll pay the deposit immediately."

I looked up, surprised, at my mother.

But she just calmly went back to her room.

Parkside Estates, the most exclusive development in our city, selling for a ridiculously high price per square foot.

Why was my mother acting so strange all of a sudden?

My mind was filled with questions.

"Alex, don't blame Dad for not speaking up for you earlier."

"You have to understand, Chloe finally found someone she likes, and your mom and I have to make her happy."

"Don't worry, from now on..."

Before he could finish, I got up and left for Parkside Estates.

The apartment my mother chose was south-facing, with amazing natural light.

It even had three bedrooms and a living room.

It was nothing like the small apartment I had imagined.

My doubts grew stronger.

My mother, who had always favored Chloe, why was she being so abnormally good to me now?

I rushed home, wanting to ask her for a clear explanation.

But my mother wasn't home.

For the next few days, my mother continued to leave early and return late, busy with who knows what.

The only time we saw each other was during family meals.

My mother's expression became increasingly relaxed, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

I had a faint feeling that something was off and wanted to ask,

But my mother inexplicably avoided me.

As my holiday was about to end, my mother sent me another message.

"Tomorrow morning, we're going to handle the property transfer."

The next morning, my mother and I quietly left the house.

She took me to the real estate agency and paid cash for an apartment for me.

My name was the only one on the owner's title.

Before I could even fully grasp it, she took me directly to the property registration office.

"Please transfer the two properties under my name to my son's name."

My mother had already prepared all the documents, and the procedures were completed quickly.

By the time we arrived home, I had three property deeds in my hand.

As soon as we opened the door, the three people in the living room immediately rushed over.

"Mom, where did you go so early? Do you know how long Ethan and I have been waiting?"

"Hurry up and handle the transfer! The office will close soon!"

My mother casually glanced at them and spoke unhurriedly.

"No need. It's already done."

Their faces changed color. Then, they finally noticed me behind my mother, and the property deeds in my hand.