Chapter 2

I went back to my workstation to clear out my cubicle. Then, I carried my cardboard box back to my rented apartment.

My phone was vibrating nonstop. Uncle Liam had mentioned everyone in the family group chat. "The ungrateful punk I raised for five years just up and left the moment he could stand on his own. His salary might've been slightly on the lower end, but that was to build his character! Everyone in the factory treats him with respect. Now, he turns his back on us.

"I'll let you guys be the judge. Is it not embarrassing for our family to produce someone like him? He even chose to quit right after I wrapped up a client meeting, sending my blood pressure through the roof.

"I'm referring to my brother's son, my nephew, and the child I'd watched grow up. This is oh so heartbreaking."

Dad's youngest brother, Oliver Graham, then said, "Don't let him get to you, Liam. Youngins are just immature. I'll talk to him later, and everything will be fine.

"That's the problem with the younger generation nowadays. They can't endure hardships or stomach any criticism. @Lucas, aren't you going to rein him in?"

Uncle Liam's wife, Ava Smith, shared a link. "Ungrateful People Will Only End Up in a Dead End."

Uncle Liam's son, Ethan Graham, wrote, "Calm down, Dad. He's not worth it. Some people are just ungrateful wretches who can't be tamed. No matter how well you treat them, they'll still bite. Going forward, all that matters is that our immediate family sees him for who he is."

Dad's older sister, Mia Graham, added, "This young man has genuinely been spoiled rotten. Lucas, you need to discipline him. One must not forget their roots and should know how to be grateful."

The messages kept flooding in. Everyone was calling me immature and an ungrateful bastard.

All the blood in my body rushed to my head, and I was about to reply when my dad, Lucas Graham, called. I took a deep breath and answered the call.

Suppressing his anger, Dad asked, "Is what your Uncle Liam said true? Did you actually resign?"

"Yes."

He snapped. "Are you out of your goddamn mind? When you graduated, if he hadn't taken you in, you'd be jobless! Now that you've gained some experience under your belt, you're just going to up and leave? How am I supposed to look anyone in the eye ever again?"

I explained, "Dad, my salary hasn't increased in five years…"

"Is that all you care about? Your uncle was grooming you for the future! You, on the other hand, don't know what's good for you!

"Do you have any idea how many people have called me today because of this? You've dragged my name through the mud!"

I growled, "My girlfriend literally left me because of this! I know you want me to be sensible, Dad, and I've been sensible for five years. I've cut him some slack for half a decade. When is anyone ever going to cut me some slack?"

"Lucius Graham! Don't change the subject!" He was so angry his voice trembled. "Are you trying to kill me? Do you want the entire family to talk smack about me and claim I raised an ungrateful piece of shit?"

"I'm not ungrateful, Dad. He gave me a job, and I worked my ass off for him for five years. I've done right by him. I did double the work for half the pay, so I don't owe him anything."

"Why, you…" His voice cracked. "If you don't go back and apologize to him, you'll be dead to me! I don't have a son like you. So, you ought to think about that long and hard!"

With that, he hung up on me.

…

Late into the night, while I was online looking for a new job, my phone vibrated again. My mom, Leah Cooper, sent me a long message.

"Lucius, don't take your dad's words to heart. You know how he is when his temper flares. However, regarding your Uncle Liam... I'm begging you to swallow your pride this once. Your dad's being criticized so much in the family group chat that he can't even hold his head up.

"Your Aunt Mia called to ask how I raised you, and I didn't even dare to answer the phone. I know you might feel wronged, but your Uncle Liam is still your blood relative. We're family. Why can't we just talk it out?

"I need you to put yourself in our shoes for a minute. Everyone in our circle is watching. Go back, apologize, and keep your job. We can talk about your pay raise down the line, alright?"

Did Uncle Liam make a scene in the family group chat specifically because he foresaw all of this? Mom and Dad were old-fashioned, cared deeply about their reputation, and couldn't stand being gossiped about by others.

Right now, he was probably sitting at home with a smirk, waiting for me to back down. I let out a derisive chuckle. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

I replied, "I'm fine, Mom. My salary issue isn't something that can be resolved down the line. It's been five years. I'm done talking about it. Go get some sleep."

Lying in bed, a single sentence kept replaying in my mind. "He's family, so he won't shortchange you."

Those few words had held me hostage for five years. Now, I was going to personally set myself free.