"Even siblings need to keep the books balanced. Besides, you make good money now. Why make a fuss over such a small amount?"
I stared at Raymond, my voice trembling. "You think this is about the money?"
I couldn't fathom those words had come from his mouth.
Years ago, the family drained their savings to buy this apartment as Raymond's marital home. Nothing remained for the interior—not a single dime for renovations.
I had only been working a short while then, but I'd saved a modest nest egg. Seeing Raymond so stressed he couldn't sleep, I couldn't bear it. I stepped up.
From blueprints to raw materials to soft furnishings—I managed every detail. Drained my savings. Exhausted myself. Made sure everything was perfect.
The day it was completed, Raymond stood in this very room, eyes glistening.
"Thank you, Sarah. You're the savior of this family. No matter what happens, my home will always be your home."
Later, both Raymond and Diana began complaining. The mortgage was crushing them. They couldn't breathe.
Family shouldn't draw lines between "yours" and "mine," I told myself. So I shouldered that weight too.