4: 4
4
The next morning I got to the office early, same as always.
After the morning meeting, Zoe walked in with Kerry in tow.
"Everyone, meet Kerry. He'll be joining us from now on, taking over Alfred's position. Please make him feel welcome."
Sympathetic glances drifted my way, some open, some sidelong.
I lowered my eyes. I'd stopped hoping for anything, and still I hadn't expected her to be this ruthless.
Back then I'd begged her, over and over, just to land a single internship.
To keep up appearances, Zoe had always acted at work like she didn't know me.
No one knew we were together.
I'd worked myself to the bone to prove I was worthy of her.
And to prove to Mom and Dad that I was every bit as good as anyone.
But now I understood. No matter how good I was, they would never see it.
Zoe came over with Kerry beside her.
"Alfred, get your work in order. You'll hand everything off to Kerry today."
I curled my hands into fists and, without a word, gave them every file I'd already organized.
At the door I glanced back. Zoe was leaning over the screen, pointing things out, walking Kerry through it step by step.
She had never once treated me like that.
I turned and left, without a shred of regret.
After that, Zoe cheerfully drove Kerry to and from work every day.
When she saw me, she didn't say a word.
The night before I left, Zoe called me, which she almost never did, and said she was waiting for me at home.
When I got there, everyone was gathered in the living room.
Kerry's eyes were red, and he was sniffling quietly.
Mom sat beside him murmuring comfort, and Dad kept sighing.
"Alfred, you're finally back. Hurry, you have to save Kerry."
It turned out Kerry, so sure of himself after studying abroad, thought his English was flawless.
He'd been sloppy and careless with his work, and on an outgoing price quote he'd typed the amount in dollars while entering it as a much weaker foreign currency.
The company lost nearly ten million.
"I don't have that kind of money. I can't fix this."
Zoe took my hand, her voice earnest.
"You don't have to pay it back. You just have to admit you wrote the proposal wrong yourself."
"You're only an intern anyway, and you've already left. Even if the company comes after you, worst case is a year in prison."
The cold went through me. I looked at Mom and Dad.
"Kerry just got back from overseas. We can't let this ruin his future."
"You've lived under our roof all these years. Don't be so selfish. Think of it as making it up to Kerry, and go confess."
"And have any of you thought about me? If I go to prison, my whole life is ruined."
Dad's brows knotted together.
"That's completely different. Kerry studied abroad. He's far smarter than you."
"You'll get married and have kids someday either way. Zoe doesn't hold this against you. One year in prison, what does it matter?"
So in their eyes, my future was worthless, my good name was theirs to trample, and my life was theirs to throw away.
I pulled my hand free of Zoe's, my mind made up.
"No. I didn't do it. I won't confess to it."
Kerry started to cry.
"Mom, Dad, don't put Brother in a hard spot. I'll just go to prison, that's all."
"It's my rotten luck. I just won't be able to stay by your side and take care of you anymore..."
Mom pulled him into her arms, aching for him, then turned and glared at me.
"Alfred, are you determined to drive this whole family to death? If you won't take the blame, I'll die right here in front of you."
Zoe clenched her jaw, like she'd made up her mind.
"Alfred, I'm begging you. Just help Kerry, and I'll agree to anything you want."
I watched Mom standing at the edge of the balcony, swaying like she might fall.
All I felt was how absurd it was, how laughable.
If I refused, there was no telling what dirty trick they'd pull next.
"Fine. I'll go first thing tomorrow."
They finally breathed easy.
The four of them chatted and laughed, already debating where to go for the weekend.
Early the next morning, I shouldered my backpack and got ready to leave.
Mom was in the kitchen making Kerry a special breakfast.
She saw me and didn't lift her head.
"Confess like a good boy. We'll come pick you up from prison in a year."
The car that had come for me was waiting downstairs.
Zoe passed me on her way in.
"Go confess at the company first. I'll come once I've calmed Kerry down."
"Alfred, I'll consider this a debt I owe you. When you get out, we'll get married."
I watched her hurry off, and there was no pain left in me.
She wanted to trade my good name, my life, and my freedom for a marriage handed out like charity.
I didn't think it was worth it, and I didn't want it.
I left the group chats, pulled the SIM card out of my phone, and dropped it in the trash can by my feet.
Then I bent down and climbed into the car.
From here on, the world was wide open, and there would be no coming back.
