them. The air was thick with false solemnity. They were all there, dressed in dark, expensive

red suits. It was a size too big for him, hanging off his shoulders, but he wore it with an air of unearned au

hone. She was texting, a small smile playing on her lips. She loo

it parked in the driveway, a vulgar bow stuck to the windshield. T

ng with fake sincerity. "For his sacrifice. For putting the

of guilt and relief. Sarah raised her glass, her eyes meet

Ethan," my father m

so hard my fingernails had broken the skin. The small, physical pain was a welcome distracti

. It was my favorite, roast beef, cooked just the

iced concern I saw on everyone else's. It was just an act. I remembered all the times Liam had used this tactic, a small kindness to make his manipulatio

said, pushing

throat, a theatrical sound that drew everyone' s atte

less, and to show the authorities that this was a command-level failure, w

want me to take the blame; they wanted me to

"It's just a formality, Ethan.

e best, son. It will make everythi

. Their collective gaze felt like a physical weight, pinning me to my chair. I

t smile he was trying to hide. He though

ing he didn't e

ight, almost cheerful. I reache

Liam fumbled with the papers for a moment, caught off guard by my e

smoothly, a final, definitive act of surrender.

s, Liam," I sa

d Liam on the back. My mother hugged him. Sarah squeezed his arm, her eye

tiness washed over me. The food on the table looked like wax. The taste of the win

No one notic

rning," I said to t

sed in the documents, my life' s work. "Yeah

use without another wo

was a selfie of him in the CEO' s office-my office-sitting in my chair, his feet up on my desk. The capt

were alread

proud of you! Yo

"Go Uncle

Our son, lead

uldn't be proude

It wasn't just about the company or the money. It was about the warmth, the praise, the simple 'I' m proud of

gain. A text from

he boat is waiting. Are you ready fo

m Eleanor'

k a single

a photo of her and Liam, clinking champagne glasses. Her wedding ring was prominentl

. The sight of it, used as a prop in her new life