My Sponsored Junior Set Me Up

“Good boy, I’m here.” Matthew immediately took Xeno’s hand and spoke softly to comfort him. He added, “Xeno, you’re about to start elementary school. Your mom wants to get you a really nice school district apartment so you can go to the best school. Aren’t you excited?”

Even though it still hurt, Xeno nodded when he heard “the best school.”

He looked at me, and his voice was full of spoiled frustration. “Dad, Mom and Mr. Carter only want what’s best for me. Why won’t you agree? Harry’s dad sold his car just so he could go to school. You only care about money. You never think about me.”

My heart sank completely.

I had raised this son for six years.

He said words that hurt me deeply, even though I had stayed by his bedside to take care of him.

Wendy looked on with a smug expression, as if to say, “See, even your son understands.”

Matthew gently patted Xeno’s hand. When his eyes met mine, there was a hint of satisfaction and mockery.

The three of them acted in perfect sync.

And me? I felt like a petty, selfish villain standing in the way of Xeno’s future.

The hospital room was quiet for a few seconds.

I chuckled. “You’re right.”

Wendy and Matthew froze for a moment and looked at me.

I relaxed my grip on the blanket and calmly said, “Xeno’s future matters the most.”

Wendy’s eyes lit up. “Honey, you agree?”

“Yeah.” I nodded and smiled. “I’ll go to the bank tomorrow and transfer the money. I’ll leave the school district apartment to you. Pick the best one.”

“That’s more like it!” Wendy was overjoyed.

Matthew smiled too. His face was bright as he said, “Jason, it’s great that you finally see some sense. Xeno is really lucky to have parents who care so much about him.”

Xeno grunted and turned his head. He seemed only mildly satisfied.

Watching them all so smug and triumphant, the last trace of warmth in my heart froze completely.

Matthew, Wendy, and that ungrateful Xeno all loved to put on a show.

They thought I was naive, rich, and easy to fool.

Fine. I would let them have their fun and let them perform as much as they wanted.

…

From that day on, I became the “most sensible” person in this family.

The relocation compensation was transferred the next day to an account Wendy had designated.

It was a new joint account she had opened, supposedly “for family investments,” but only she knew the password.

She wasted no time. A week later, she had already chosen a highly sought-after apartment near the top elementary school, a 2,000-square-foot flat, priced at 8,000 dollars per square foot.

“Honey, this unit has a great layout and a good floor. The developer still has a few internal units left. They offer a discount for full payment. We can’t miss this!”

She excitedly held up the floor plan and gestured at it. “Full payment is 16,000,000. We can use our 3,000,000 as the down payment. For the rest, maybe you can get a mortgage through your company or cash in some of your investments and stocks.”

She was greedy.

She did not just want my mother’s relocation compensation. She wanted to drain me of everything.

I frowned. “Getting a mortgage through the company is difficult right now. The investments aren’t due yet. Maybe we should get a loan and go for a smaller place to start with.”

“A smaller place won’t do.” Wendy was not happy. “Either we don’t buy, or we buy the best. How else can it match Xeno? Jason, stop hesitating. What’s a little risk when it is for Xeno?”

Right then, Matthew happened to come by to see Xeno. Hearing this, he jumped in to support her.

“Exactly, Jason. When it comes to buying a home, it’s best to get it right the first time. Later, Xeno could even use it when he gets married. Money can always be made. But if you miss the right environment for his education, it’s gone forever.”

Xeno kicked the couch and yelled, “I want a big house! Xavier from my class has a 2,000-square-foot home with a toy room. I want the same!”