Jessica, meanwhile, was quick to realize that her lavish lifestyle was no longer sustainable without my support. The expenses from her extravagant anniversary dinner loomed large, and her attempts to call for assistance were met with silence. She soon understood that her brother’s generosity had been a privilege, not a right.

In the midst of this upheaval, Sarah and I found a renewed sense of peace and solidarity. Our home became a sanctuary where the tumult of family drama couldn’t reach us. As Sarah’s pregnancy progressed, we focused on preparing for the arrival of our child, the joy of impending parenthood overshadowing the disappointment of familial ties that had soured.

Yet, the separation from my family wasn’t as clean and definitive as it initially seemed. My phone buzzed one afternoon, showing my mother’s number on the screen. Hesitating for a moment, I answered. Her voice was softer, tinged with a sincerity I hadn’t heard in years. “David, can we talk? I’ve been doing some thinking.”