Chapter 3

A few days after the party, Dad called me over for dinner.

“Stella,” he said, patting my shoulder. “You know how tight money is around here. Gavin’s admission to Sunshine University is going to cost a little extra. Can you help out your brother this once?”

He leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Don’t worry, as soon as Gavin graduates and lands a good job, he’ll pay you back, every cent.”

In my previous life, I fell for this line.

Back then, I thought about how hard Dad had worked to raise me and decided to give him the money.

But that was just the beginning. Gavin took it as a blank check. Every month, he’d come to me asking for $300, sometimes $400. If I refused, he’d show up at my workplace, crying and causing a scene until I gave in.

I once suggested to Dad that he step in and talk to Gavin.

“Oh, boys mature slower than girls,” he said dismissively. “Don’t hold it against him. You’re his sister—you should know better.”

Looking back, it was laughable. Did being a sister mean I had to let Gavin bleed me dry?

No. Not this time.

“Dad,” I said, tilting my head, “didn’t you say that admissions officer was your best friend? And that he wasn’t charging you anything?”

Dad’s face stiffened for a moment before he forced a smile.

“Well, sure, but the guy’s been pulling a lot of strings for us. I can’t let him go unpaid, can I? You work in the system—you should understand how these things work.”

“And besides,” he added, trying to change tactics, “as Gavin’s sister, shouldn’t you at least give him a little gift? Something to celebrate getting into Sunshine University?”

I smiled politely but didn’t budge.

If Dad wanted to waste his money on a scammer, that was his choice. But he wasn’t getting a dime from me.