After Discovering My Billionaire Parents Lied, I Vanished for Good Chapter 02

After Discovering My Billionaire Parents Lied, I Vanished for Good Chapter 02

“Eat up, sweetheart. Here’re lobster and steak,” my mom cooed. “Don’t end up like your brother, almost a grown man and still a picky eater.”

My dad nodded. “No idea where he got that from. He’ll pass on meat and only pick at vegetables.”

“Your fault, obviously,” Mom shot back with an annoyed eyeroll.

Course after course hit the table. I’d never imagined they could drop ten grand on a single meal.

Back home, we only had meat every few days because the mortgage was supposedly killing us.

I cared so much about how hard my parents worked and worried about my sister’s nutrition. I’d always pretended I didn’t like meat, so Mom, Dad, and Sophie could have more. I thought I was being considerate.

But all my care and sacrifice just came off as “picky eating” to them.

I didn’t confront them, nor did I lift my head. I just swallowed the tears, turned, and walked out. I ditched my uniform, changed into my own clothes, and left the hotel.

Outside, my phone buzzed. It was the bakery manager. “Hey kiddo, your cake’s ready. When are you picking it up?”

I almost said forget it. But I’d earned that cake with my own hard-earned cash. Why throw it away?

I carried the pink velvet cake home, to that shabby apartment with my academic awards plastered all over the peeling walls. The moment I stepped inside, the dam finally broke.

I’d hung each one myself, proud to give my parents something to brag about. Now they just looked like proof of how stupid I’d been. Sixteen years of grinding, all for a lie.

Ever since first grade, they had drilled one thing into my head: We’re poor. You have to rise above. Make something of yourself.

I never let them down. Straight A’s, top of my state in middle and high school. While other children enjoyed their carefree childhoods, I had two things: studying and hustling part-time jobs.

At 10 p.m., they came back. The expensive suits and princess dress were gone, replaced by their usual rags. They walked in and saw me eating cake off a plate.

“Son, where’d that come from?” Mom set down her keys and asked, confused.

“Bought it,” I said flatly.

It was meant to be Sophie’s Thanksgiving gift, but she’d just feasted on a luxury spread. She didn’t need it.

“How many times have we told you? Save every penny for tuition! Your mom and I work our backs off to put you through school. Don’t disappoint us.” My dad’s tone dripped with stern disapproval.

“Aiden, that’s not nice,” Sophie chimed in.

I ignored them. Set down my fork. Looked at the three of them.

After a long pause, I said, “Mom, Dad, I need a tablet. For research and schoolwork.”

It was the first thing I’d ever asked for, and it was for education. But their expressions contorted into disapproval in an instant.

Dad stormed over. “You want to play video games, don’t you?”

I didn’t flinch. “I need it for research.”

He snorted. “Use the school library! You don’t need a tablet. I’ve told you a million times, gaming will ruin your life. Don’t be a loser and throw your future away like those other kids!”