Freddy and Hazel’s sibling relationship broke down when their parents’ will was read, revealing an unfair division of their properties. But after moving into the abandoned place, Freddy discovered a trap door leading to a hidden area that revealed why he was given that home. Freddy held on to his poker face like a trained professional.
He couldn’t show any kind of reaction to this moment, mainly because his future brother-in-law was gloating like the Cheshire cat beside Freddy’s sister, Hazel. “Mr. Schneider, but why did I get the main house?” Hazel interrupted the lawyer before he could finish reading their parents’ will.
Freddy saw her fiancé, Mark, tightening his hold on her knee. “Your parents knew that you deserved that house more, babe,” Mark said, smirking slightly. “Why does she deserve it more?” The question simply slipped out of Freddy’s lips.
He didn’t want to do this, but Mark’s attitude always got on his nerves. He had no idea what Hazel saw in him, especially because everyone else knew Mark was an opportunist. Mark rolled his eyes at Freddy’s question.
“Your parents met me. They know your sister, and I had plans to get married and have children. All you like is travel.
You never brought a girl home, so naturally, the big house should go to a potential family,” he shrugged, still triumphant. “Mark, that’s not fair,” Hazel began, but she was using her typical timid voice, which had only appeared when she started dating the loser. “It’s more than fair, babe,” Mark insisted, laughing breathlessly.
“Why are you looking at me like that? I mean, your parents agree, obviously. They did this.
Not me.”
Freddy remained quiet but didn’t have much of a poker face anymore. The lawyer took advantage of the awkward silence to finish reading. Once everything seemed to be done, Hazel raised her hand like a high-schooler.
“Yes, Hazel,” Mr. Schneider smiled at her. “Hmmm, maybe it would be better if we both sold those properties and divided the profits,” she suggested, her timidness giving way to more bravery.
Freddy was proud of that quiet strength. “You gotta be kidding me,” Mark huffed. “Are you really gonna go against your parents’ wishes?
And come on. In this economy, your brother could fix up that house and still get a killing selling it. It’s not a stupid handout.
It’s more than fair, considering the circumstances.”
“Mark, maybe you should step out,” Freddy said quietly. “So you can talk your sister into something she doesn’t want to do?” Mark asked mockingly. “No way.
No. Doreen and Milton knew that Hazel loved growing up in that house, and they knew our children would be better off there. They never knew if Freddy would want to settle down in this town or even have kids considering—”
“Considering what, Mark?” Freddy asked, gritting his teeth.
“You know what,” he said, frowning. “No, I don’t know,” Freddy insisted, leaning forward in his chair. “Gentlemen, please,” the lawyer said.
“Freddy,” Hazel warned. “Maybe Mark is right. Our parents were… old-fashioned.”
Freddy was stumped for a second.
A minute ago, his sister had suggested the most reasonable course of action. If they both sold the properties and divided the profits in half, they could walk away with an equal share of these assets. But she was backtracking, not just because her fiancé was such a greedy loser, but also because…
“Old-fashioned?
That’s what you’re calling it?” Freddy asked through tight lips. “You know what I mean,” Hazel sighed. “They were not blatant about their opinions.
They loved and respected you. But things were different for their generation. They didn’t know how to accept certain things and what would be normal for you.
They never knew if you would or could ever have kids that way.”
“It’s the 21st century, Hazel. They could watch TV and movies and see how it works,” Freddy countered, barely containing his anger. “Mark is right, Freddy,” Hazel exclaimed as her attitude flowered.
Where was that tone when her fiancé spoke? “They left me the big house. You get Dad’s old place.
It’s not that bad. It’s a nice neighborhood. And either way, it’s their decision.”
“A decision they took because of their prejudices?”
“Stop it!” Hazel frowned.
“I will not allow you to talk about them this way. They were old. Things were different.
They never learned. You haven’t been around for years, and you don’t get to come here like a spoiled brat and act like you deserve more.”
“ME? I’m a spoiled brat?” Freddy asked, rising as he pointed at his chest.
“You’re the one that got everything. Everything. Especially after they realized the truth about me.
Dad couldn’t even hide his favoritism anymore because his only boy didn’t like football and preferred theater.”
“He still paid for everything for your stupid plays! All your costumes!” Hazel stated, also rising from her chair. “You think that was cheap?”
“It wasn’t half of what he paid for you!” Freddy said.
He knew immediately that his words made him sound like a petulant child — the spoiled brat, she claimed — but it was hard to stop them. “It was always unfair, and this is the final proof. But you know it wasn’t like that always.
It started when my personality developed. They knew all from then and changed.”
Hazel’s eyes water. “Stop,” she cried.
“They were good parents.”
Freddy was about to say more, to unleash the pain of all his years on his sister, but his eyes fleeted to Mark. The Cheshire cat grin was back, unconcealed and proud. Mr.
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