Chapter 8

Then Mom rambled on about trivial matters.

Amid her meaningless chatter, she became anxious when she saw that I hadn't touched the coffee. She subtly urged me to stay hydrated for my health.

With a knowing smile, I said the sunlight was too bright and asked her to close the curtains behind. She eagerly obliged, rising to pull the drapes shut. Finally, I took a small sip under her watchful gaze.

A look of relief washed over Mom as she held my hand and got to her point.

"You won't believe it. Your brother has been swindled in an investment and now owes 100 grand! That guy said if he doesn't pay it back, he'll send him to jail."

Tears welled in her eyes, and she played the emotional card. "Jake's only in his early 20s. He has so much ahead of him! He's your brother. You can't just sit back and watch him go to jail!"

I understood all too well but feigned ignorance. "And?"

If memory served me right, after Cici died during childbirth, Jake had gotten another girl pregnant and ended up