I Disowned My Brother for Stealing Mom’s Funds

My mother was ill and hospitalized. I took my three-year-old daughter to the hospital to care for her for seven days, paying over $10,000 in medical expenses.

On the day she was discharged, I went to the medical insurance window to settle my bill, but was told that my brother had already paid it.

The reimbursement of over $5,000 had been deposited into my brother's account.

I casually asked him about it, but he pointed at my nose and scolded me:

"You're not going to give me the reimbursement money, are you? Don't forget, I pay Mom's $50 medical insurance premium every year!"

"How can you, a married daughter, come back and ask for money from your parents?"

My brother made me laugh.

So, when my mother was sick, he didn't contribute either money or effort, and yet he still made a profit of $5,000?

——

My brother and I are five years apart. When he got married, I attended university in the south.

When I came home for summer vacation, they had converted my room into a nursery. Since then, I rarely went home, and during holidays I worked part-time. Later, I got married and had a well-behaved daughter. I began to understand the hardships my parents endured in raising a child.

I'd visit my parents’ home from time to time, either giving money or buying things.

My brother and sister-in-law usually didn't harbor any ill will toward me.

I thought we were a loving family.

Until this time, when my mother fell ill, I busied myself taking care of her for seven days and paid over $10,000 in medical expenses.

In the end, my brother took all the reimbursement money.

At that moment, I couldn't help but look at my mother. My mother said nothing about it. Instead, she urged me:

"When you take me home from the hospital, remember to buy your nephew some snacks. He loved the imported chocolate you brought last time!"

"It's not nice to go back to your parents’ home empty-handed. People will think you're asking for money!"

My brother folded his hands and looked down at me:

"Hey, did you hear what I said? You came back empty-handed last time!"

"It's okay with me and your sister-in-law, but there's also me and your nephew. How can you, as an aunt, be so shameless?"

I stared at my brother in amazement.

I didn't buy anything last time because my mother called me at the last minute and said my nephew had diarrhea and asked me to take him to the hospital.

I paid for all his hospital expenses, and after he was discharged, I bought him a bunch of supplements. Doesn't that count? "Brother, ask yourself, haven't I been good enough to Mom and Ramon all these years?"

"You didn't even visit Mom the entire time she was in the hospital. I paid for all the medical expenses, but you took all the money reimbursed by medical insurance. Is it wrong for me to ask?"

I thought I was being kind, but my brother’s face was gloomy, as if he had been putting up with me for a long time.

He clenched his fists and glared at me fiercely:

"Don't you just want this money back? Don't forget, I bought medical insurance for Mom. What's wrong with giving me the money reimbursed by medical insurance?"

"But..."

"But what but? You're just greedy. How can a married daughter come back and covet her parents' money?"

My brother raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

A loud snap.

My face twisted, and I fell to the side of the bed. "Mom..."

My daughter was terrified and rushed forward to block my way. "Uncle, don't hit my mom. She's not greedy for money!"

Seeing this, my mother quickly reached out and pulled my daughter aside.

"Sherry, don't go over there. You don't understand adult matters. Your uncle is just teaching your mom a lesson!"

I covered my swollen face and looked at my mother in disbelief.