I Never Take Advantage, but I Keep Getting Used

Since childhood, I've always hated taking advantage of others. At seven years old, the lunch lady only gives me half a serving of chicken and proceeds to accuse me of being greedy. "Sooner or later, the orphanage is going to run out of money just trying to feed you gluttonous kids!" Thinking that all of us have really been eating more than we should, I spend the next month weighing all of the food we get. As it turns out, out of the 100 pounds of meat that the kitchen supposedly got to feed us, we only end up eating around 70 pounds of it. All the kids the lunch lady blew up at have been eating as little as they can, and the other 30 pounds leftover somehow end up in her freezer back home. The very day the accounts get audited, she and the orphanage director, who has been fudging the numbers with her, are fired on the spot. At 14 years old, I receive a full scholarship to a private high school in town on account of my high scores. However, when I show up for my first day, a student whose father is the chairman of the school board throws her bag at me and says, "You think you could've gotten into this school if my dad hadn't forked out the money for your scholarship? From now on, you're going to wait on me." It's true when they say it's hard to refuse a request from someone you're indebted to. So that's why I fold up my new school uniform and return it, along with my admission paperwork. That very evening, the principals of ten of the best schools in the city show up at the orphanage, vying to offer me a full-ride scholarship to their school. At 22 years old, my wealthy biological parents find me and take me home with them. During the family dinner, Colby Judd, the son the family has raised in my place, abruptly remarks with a chuckle, "Hey, Bryan. That shirt you're wearing is the one Macy gave me. You only got it because it's too small for me now. Guess you owe me one now, huh?" A beaming smile spreads over my mother's face as she says fondly, "Good job, Colby. You've finally learned how to make sure no one takes advantage of you and your generosity." Nodding, I take off the shirt and folded it up neatly. Then, right in front of everyone, I look at Colby and say, "You've been occupying my position in the family and got to spend 22 years with my parents. When are you going to make up for what you owe me?" Chapter 1 The smile on Colby Judd's face stiffened, and the entire room fell silent. Macy Judd, my older biological sister, was the first to stand. Her gaze fell on my gaunt shoulders, and the sight seemed to sting her a little. Her brows immediately knitted together. She took off her jacket and tossed it at me. "Don't be so indecent. At least put this on first." I didn't put it on. Her jacket was a light color, and I was pretty sweaty. If I got her jacket dirty, I'd be owing the family yet another article of clothing. Frowning, Mom summoned the butler, Gabriel Abrams. "Bring Bryan a shirt." Then, she took Colby's hand again, her tone carrying a hint of approval as she explained her reaction to me. "Colby has always been too softhearted. He constantly gives in to other people and lets them have what they want. It's a good thing that he's finally standing up for what's his." I glanced down at the shirt. "So why was I wearing it then?" I asked. Mom paused. "You didn't have anything appropriate, so I got it from Colby's closet." "So you knew it belonged to him?" "It's just a shirt! Why would I read so much into it?" Mom snapped. "You didn't, but he certainly has," I pointed out. Mom's expression turned a little cold. "Just what are you trying to say?" "Nothing. I just want to make it clear that I wasn't the one who took the shirt." Colby's eyes reddened. "I really don't blame you for it, Bryan. It was just an off-hand remark." "And I've already returned the shirt, so why are you still on the verge of tears?" Macy threw down her cutlery and snapped, "Colby has already apologized! What more do you want?" "I'm not trying to do anything." Standing half-naked beneath the chandelier, I looked at them with a solemn expression. "He's the one who asked whether I owed him, so I returned his shirt to him before asking him the same question. Is that not allowed?" "You two were switched at birth! It's not like Colby deliberately stole your place in the family!" Macy fired at me. "And I didn't take his clothes on purpose either." That shut her up, but Mom immediately wrapped her arms around Colby and said to me, "Bryan, we didn't bring you back to the family so that you can settle scores with Colby. He's been a part of the family for 22 years now. Even though we're not related by blood, he's still our son." "And what about me?" I asked before regretting it. It sounded far too much like I was demanding something from them. However, Mom didn't take it that way. She simply rubbed her forehead and said, "You're our son too, of course. But you must realize there's an order to things. You can't force the family to prove who we love more the moment you show up." So even I, her biological son, had to take a number and wait my turn behind the son she raised. I nodded and stopped asking questions. Gabriel returned with a large white shirt. It was a flimsy material, and the shoulder seams hung way past my shoulders. Even after I buttoned it up, it hung loosely on my frame. The dinner continued. No one bothered offering me any food, but they took turns loading up Colby's plate for him. Macy cut up some steak for him, and Dad asked him if he'd been sleeping well lately. Mom addressed the other relatives, telling them that I was just too blunt by nature and that they shouldn't care about what I said. Not a single person checked in with me to find out more about my life at the orphanage. After dinner, we took a family photo. The photographer asked me to stand between my parents. Colby had just taken a step to the side when Mom instinctively reached out to stop him. "Colby, stand next to me. Bryan, stand next to your father." Macy took her place next to Colby without even thinking. When the shutter clicked, I looked at my reflection in the lens. It was supposed to be a celebration of my reunion with my biological family, yet I was wearing an oversized shirt someone had hastily found for me, looking like a guest who'd been squeezed into the picture at the last minute. In the preview, I saw Mom's hand resting on Colby's shoulder. Meanwhile, the gap between Dad and me was wide enough to fit another person. On the way home, Dad finally said, "We turned down two dinner invitations today just to bring you home. Your mother has spent years running around looking for you, too. How can you repay us by causing a scene like that on your very first day with us?" I got the hint. The fact that they came looking for me meant I owed them. I got my phone out and tapped on the notes app. "How much did it cost to find me?" Dad's expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?" "Nothing." I created a new line on my expense ledger. "I'll repay the money you spent on me. That way, no matter what I do after that, I won't have to feel like I owe anyone." Chapter 2 On my first night at the Judd residence, I was given the guest bedroom at the far end of the third floor. It was a spacious room, but not a single thing in it was prepared according to my preferences. The closet was filled with light-colored shirts and casual pants, all one size too small for me. A lavender-scented diffuser sat on the bedside table. I couldn't stand the cloying smell. I'd just unplugged it when Mom knocked and came in. "Why did you turn it off? Colby says this scent helps you sleep best." "I don't use essential oils." "Just try it. You'll get used to it eventually. Colby spent the entire afternoon picking it out for you. Don't let his efforts go to waste." I stuck the plug back into the socket. "How much did it cost?" I asked. Mom was startled. "We're family. Why are you asking about how much it cost?" "If I don't, I'm afraid someone might accuse me of owing him again." Her smile slowly faded. "Bryan, must you insist on thinking so poorly of Colby?" I never said anything negative about Colby. But after that incident with the shirt, I just didn't want to be accused of owing him something. Mom placed a debit card on the table. "If you need anything, go ahead and buy it for yourself. The PIN is a combination of Colby's favorite numbers." I looked at the number she'd written on a note for me. "Can I change the PIN to something else?" Mom didn't expect me to ask that. "There's no reason to. We use the same PIN for all the accounts in the family. We're used to it." "Isn't this debit card for me?" "You're allowed to use it, but that doesn't mean everything in the family is now yours!" Mom snapped before realizing her tone was a little harsh, so she softened it. "Bryan, who cares what the PIN is? It's not like it changes how much money you get, right?" "Yes, it doesn't," I replied. The money wouldn't decrease. However, everything in this house and this family, from the furnishings in the room and the clothes to the PIN for the debit card, had nothing to do with me. Mom finally lost her patience. "Your dad and I earned this money. We can spend it on whichever child we want. You've only just returned to the family. What gives you the right to question our decisions?" Nodding, I nudged the card back toward her. "You're right." Mom froze once more. She didn't expect me to agree with her so easily. It was their money—and their affection. They were free to give it to whomever they wanted. It wasn't my place to ask questions. The only thing I had power over was whether I wanted to accept anything from them. … During breakfast the next morning, Dad showed me the breakdown of the expenses the family incurred while working for me that he instructed his accountant to compile. The cost of hiring the private investigators, putting up the missing-person notices, and the travel expenses came to a total of 480,000 dollars. Dad shoved his phone under my nose and said, "You wanted the numbers, right? See for yourself. We spent a huge chunk of money looking for you." Mom glared at him. "He has only just returned to the family! Why are you showing him that?" Yet she didn't bother taking the phone away. I took a screenshot of the breakdown for safekeeping. "Got it." Macy scoffed. "Don't act like you're seriously going to pay us back. The only money you have is your scholarship allowance from the school. It's going to take you forever to return the money." "I'll pay it off eventually." "Stop pretending to be so righteous about it. Mom and Dad aren't asking you for money. They just don't want you to come into our house and start bullying Colby." Colby tugged on her arm gently. "Stop, Macy. Bryan grew up in an orphanage. Maybe no one taught him that being a family means you don't have to be so calculative about everything." I looked at him. "Were you taught that?" "Of course." "Then, why did you say I owed you for your shirt yesterday?" Colby paled. Macy was just about to lash out at me once more when my phone rang. It was a call from Professor Otis Lakewood of Northshore University. During my undergraduate years, I'd spent two years working on algorithmic modeling with Professor Lakewood's research team. Last month, he'd asked whether I wanted to join the doctoral program at Northshore University. I'd be able to jump straight into a PhD program without having to do a master's degree. "Bryan, your dorm and scholarship have both been approved. If you come, you won't have to worry about your tuition. You'll receive a stipend that will be enough to cover your daily expenses," Professor Lakewood said. I looked at the 480,000-dollar expense record still showing on the phone. "Will I be able to join the research team right after graduation?" I asked. "Of course, and the project bonuses are paid separately." "I'll think about it." After I ended the call, Dad asked me who it was. "A professor I'm acquainted with." "You're about to graduate, aren't you? Why is your professor looking for you?" "He wants me to further my studies in Northshore," I replied. Mom frowned immediately. "You only just got back! Are you thinking about leaving again? Anyone who didn't know better would assume we couldn't stand having you around." Macy also chimed in, "Colby gave up an admissions offer to a college abroad just to stay home with Mom and Dad. Meanwhile, look at you. You've barely spent a night in the house, and you're already thinking about running off to a different city." Colby lowered his head. "Bryan's different from me. He's talented, so of course he doesn't need to stay home." He made a show of putting in a good word for me, but no one else at the table spoke. I didn't bother explaining myself either. … That night, I stayed up late running the calculations. Throughout my four years of college, I managed to save up some of the prize money I got from competitions and the various stipends I received. I had about 310,000 dollars in total. That meant I was 170,000 dollars short. Northshore was far away, but at least every cent I received in that city came with a clear reason why it was given to me. Chapter 3 I didn't plan to accept the admissions offer from Northshore University immediately. My college graduation ceremony was only three days away. All my life, I never had a parent to bring to my school activities. Every student received a set of tickets for their parents to attend their graduation ceremony, and mine always went unused. This time, Mom took the initiative to assure me, "Your dad and I will be there." Macy also piped up, "I'll attend the ceremony as well. If there isn't a spare ticket for me, I'll just wait outside. We'll take you out for a meal afterward." I reminded them once more, "It's at 9:00 pm on Friday. Don't be late." Dad laughed at me. "Why are you making it such a big deal? Do you really think we'd go back on our word?" I didn't answer. There was just a part of me that thought maybe I didn't need to take up Professor Lakewood's offer quite so soon. … At 7:00 pm on Friday, I went downstairs after changing into my graduation gown. However, the living room was empty. I checked the family group chat. Half an hour ago, Mom had sent a message there. "Colby just got a last-minute spot in a piano competition. The finals are today. He was so nervous he barely slept last night, so we're going to the venue with him first." Macy's reply came right after. "Bryan has always been a top student anyway. It's just a graduation ceremony. I'm sure he understands." Dad's message was last. "We'll come and pick you up when we're done." After reading the messages, I slipped the two tickets for my graduation ceremony back into the envelope. I didn't ask any questions or make any phone calls. I was 22 years old. I could head to the campus on my own. In the auditorium, applause filled the parent seating section every time a student's name was called. When it was my turn, the chancellor called my name before giving a brief introduction about me. "Please welcome Bryan Judd, our valedictorian and our most outstanding graduate. He has been the top of his class for four years running, and he is also the recipient of the national scholarship!" The applause was thunderous. Only the two seats I'd saved remained empty. After the ceremony, Lyle Porter, my academic advisor, helped me hold the bouquet the school had prepared for me. "Did your family get caught in traffic?" "Nope," I replied. "Then, why aren't they here?" I paused in thought for a moment before answering, "They had something more important to do." Mr. Porter stopped asking questions. He simply pulled me over for a group photo with some of the other students. After I posted the photo in the family group chat, Mom video called me. On the screen, Colby was holding a gold trophy, his eyes red from crying. "Bryan, look! Colby won first place!" Macy was beaming beside him. "Colby has really made us proud! He won the whole thing despite getting called up at the last minute!" Dad was unusually excited as well. "We've booked a private room at a nice restaurant for dinner tonight. We'll celebrate both your graduation and Colby's win." I looked at the flowers and balloons behind them. "Do you still remember that you promised to attend my graduation?" The camera wobbled slightly. Mom's smile faded. "Colby's competition only happens once a year." "My college graduation is also a once-in-a-lifetime event." "You managed to live on your own for 22 years! Since you've always been independent, it won't make a difference if we miss out on one of your events. It's different for Colby. He was shaking before going onstage. How could we possibly leave him alone?" Mom snapped. Macy thought I was ruining the mood, too. "Must you insist on making this about who matters more? What's the point?" "There's no point," I agreed with a nod. "So you guys don't have to bother picking me up." I ended the call and ripped up the unused tickets before tossing them in the trash. Mr. Porter handed me an envelope. "Professor Lakewood asked me to give this to you. It's your admission letter for the PhD program at Northshore University. He said they can only hold a place for you until tonight." I opened the envelope. Inside, along with the admission letter, was a list of the research team members. My name was at the very top, followed by the label "Lead Researcher". For the first time, someone thought I was worth keeping around for a reason other than how well-behaved I was or how little trouble I caused. I signed the paperwork and took a photo of it for Professor Lakewood. "I'm coming, Professor Lakewood." His reply came almost instantly. "Welcome to Northshore University. We're all waiting for you." … When I returned to the Judd residence that evening, there was a cake in the living room. It was decorated with a white piano and the words "Congratulations to Colby for Winning!" Mom spotted me and finally recalled something. "We forgot to book you a cake for your graduation, but it's fine. Since we're celebrating both occasions together, just one cake will suffice." I hummed in acknowledgment. I didn't bother telling her that someone else had already celebrated my graduation with me. I also didn't tell any of them that I was leaving for Northshore in seven days. Chapter 4 Since I'd decided to go to Northshore, I started sorting through everything the Judds had given me. All in all, there were three sets of ill-fitting clothes, a watch still in its casing, an unused debit card, and the suit from the family dinner. I'd already returned the suit. I left everything else in their respective packaging as well. I was putting everything into a box when Mom came in. "Why are you packing all this stuff out of the blue?" "I'm returning them." She rummaged through the box, her expression darkening. "Here you go again. We're your parents! Do you seriously think we need you to sign an IOU just because we bought you a few clothes?" "No need. I haven't worn any of them, so I can just return everything to you untouched," I said. "Must you insist on being so formal with us and acting like we're strangers?" Mom snapped. I paused and looked at her. "You're the one who said that you guys are free to spend your money on whomever you want and that I had no right to ask questions. Well, I'm not questioning your spending, and I'm not spending your money either, so what's wrong with that?" Mom's lips parted, but in the end, all she said was, "I didn't mean to say that. It only came out in the heat of the moment." "Right." I continued packing the things. Mom stood there for a while, probably waiting for me to back down and accept the olive branch. It was probably what most people would do, but not me. Ever since I was little, many people constantly told me that orphans were forever indebted to others because they lived off the generosity of other people. Being forced to accept that your dignity was less than others was an unbearable feeling. When that lunch lady declared that we should be grateful for whatever little food we received, I made sure to find out just how much we truly ate. When the school board chairman's daughter told me that I was indebted to her family for the scholarship I received, I withdrew from the school right away. Since my parents were now claiming that I was indebted to them for looking for me, I had no choice but to repay them for that as well. Before Mom turned to leave, she said, "Colby is taking his piano teacher out to dinner this evening. Are you joining us?" "No." "He specifically told me he wants to mend his relationship with you." "Convey my thanks to him for me." Once the door closed, I transferred the 310,000 dollars I had saved up to Dad. The transaction remark read, "Repayment for the expenses incurred while looking for me. The remaining 170,000 dollars will be repaid in installments." Less than a minute later, Dad opened the door. "Why did you transfer the money to me?" "Didn't you show me the breakdown of expenses so that I could pay you back?" "I was just teaching you to be grateful!" "I'm very grateful. That's why I'm paying you back." Dad looked livid. "Being a family isn't a business transaction, Bryan! Do you think you can act like we never gave birth to you once you return the money to us?" "Nope." I looked at him. "But you guys didn't raise me either. That's also a fact." A heavy silence fell over the room. My words seemed to have struck a nerve with Dad. His voice was low as he said, "We spent years looking for you." "I know. That's why I'll pay you back." He stared at me for a few more seconds before storming out of the room, slamming the door behind him. For the next few days, no one in the family spoke to me. Macy put together a photo wall for Colby right in the living room. Mom hired a team to redecorate his piano room, and Dad promised to get him a new piano. The night before I left for Northshore, Macy finally remembered my existence. She sent me an invoice and said, "Collect Colby's suit from the mall for him, and stop throwing this tantrum of yours. We're a family." My reply was brief. "I'm busy." She immediately called me. "How can you be busy? The only thing you do all day is act petty and start fights." "I'm going to Northshore." "For how many days?" "I'm continuing my education there. I won't be back for some time." There was a short silence on the other end, followed by a frosty sneer. "Who are you trying to scare by pretending to run away, huh? Mom and Dad have only just welcomed you back into the family. I doubt you'd bear to leave." "Why wouldn't I?" I ended the call and removed her number from my emergency contacts. The next morning, I left my room with only a backpack. Inside it was my laptop, my ID, and a photo I'd taken with Jane Nelson, the orphanage director. I didn't take a single thing the Judd family had bought. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, the family was busy helping Colby choose a piano. Mom glanced at me and asked indifferently, "Where are you off to so early in the morning?" "Northshore." She continued to look through the catalog without lifting her head. "Get home earlier this evening. Colby wants to have the cake you brought home the other day." "Right." I didn't tell her that my response wasn't a promise to be back home earlier today. It was a reminder to myself that I would never have to explain myself to anyone in this house anymore. Just as the cab pulled away from the Judd residence, I got a message from Professor Lakewood. "Where are you? I just collected the key to your dorm." I replied, "I'm on my way." My admission letter lay quietly in my backpack. There was a dorm room waiting for me with my name on it, a research team ready for me to join, and people who understood exactly why I was worth keeping. I left the Judd family group chat and removed my biological parents from my emergency contacts list as well. 22 years ago, they lost me. But after bringing me back 22 years later, they still expected me to step aside for someone else. Well, I no longer cared about being their son. I was returning them to Colby. I didn't want them anymore. From now on, they were no longer my parents and my sister. They were just Franklin Judd, Tammy Quentin, and Macy Judd, Colby's family.