Richard placed the bank records on the table.
“Three thousand two hundred fourteen dollars and sixty-three cents.”
My father looked at the statement.
“That money was used for legal fees.”
“Your legal fees,” I said.
My stepmother looked at him.
“You told me it was for Ethan’s college applications.”
My stepbrother’s face went white.
“You lied to me too?”
My father slammed his palm against the table.
“Enough!”
The room went silent.
He pointed at me.
“You think because some dead man left you a company, you’re suddenly better than us?”
I looked at him.
“No.”
I paused.
“I think I’m exactly the same person I was thirty days ago.”
His anger faltered.
“But now,” I continued, “I know the truth.”
Richard reached for the remote.
“There’s more.”
The lights dimmed.
A screen came down behind the board.
My grandfather appeared.
Alive.
Sitting in the conference room.
My father looked like he’d been punched.
“No.”
The recording began.
My grandfather’s voice filled the room.
“When I die, Nathan will receive everything.”
My father’s voice followed.
“Then I’ll make sure he never knows.”
The recording continued.
“You can’t hide him forever, Daniel.”
“I can keep him away from you.”
“You’re willing to destroy your own son for money?”
“He’s not my son anymore.”
My father’s face went completely white.
The video stopped.
Nobody spoke.
My stepmother slowly turned toward him.
“You said you loved him.”
My father stared at the floor.
She shook her head.
“You said he was difficult. You said he was ungrateful. You said throwing him out was for his own good.”
Her voice cracked.
“You never told me this.”
My father didn’t respond.
My stepbrother looked at me.
“Nathan…”
I looked at him.
He seemed smaller somehow.
“I didn’t know,” he whispered.
I nodded.
“I believe you.”
He looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
For a moment, I thought about all the years I’d spent believing he was the favorite because he was better than me.
But the truth was simpler.
My father had simply decided that I was disposable.
