These past two days have been the best forty-eight hours of my life.

Each time I saw Spencer's smiling face, I got more assured of my final choice regarding not telling him the truth. It's better this way. We both are happy.

After about two months, along with Spencer's constant persuasion, I've gathered my bearing, and I'm headed to meet Mom and Mason... at that godforsaken house.

Spencer has also been trying to get into my head and convince me to at least sit behind the wheels but so far, I've won. I don't think I'll ever be able to drive again.

But this, facing my family, or what's left of it I can do. I hope.

All through the journey I pep talk myself into believing I'm ready, that it's okay if it hurts to see Dad's empty chair. And to know after the three of us have settled behind the dining table, he won't be joining us and it'll only be the three of us from now on.

At the same time, it seems no amount of mental preparation will ever make me ready for reality.

I pull myself to my full height and knock on the door. I can do this. I've got this.

The door swings open and I expect to be greeted with Mom but instead, my eyes land on Mason. Surely still on his wheelchair, but his arm is stretched, widening the door.

I barely manage to hold back my gasp. Seeing my surprised expression, he offers a tight-lipped smile.

I stare at him, awestruck and speechless as he moves his wheelchair aside for me to enter the apartment.

"Gracie," Mom calls out, and not a second later she appears, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. "I'm so glad you came," she whispers before pulling away.

Guilt claws my insides but I shove it away and close the door.

"You can move?" I turn to Mason.

He shrugs dismissively. "The mobility is coming back slowly... not all parts though."

"But that's great progress," I claim, getting more excited with every passing second.

"Your brother has been giving his best in the therapy." Mom smiles brightly. And for the first time since I've got here, I get the chance to truly see her.

Her hair is in a bun, from the root till halfway through her hair is completely grey. Deep lines cover the corners of her eyes and mouth, making her appear much older than she actually is. Her features are pale and lack the usual warmth and she's grown much thinner.

But she's staying strong for Mason and I and I can't be more thankful.

"I'll set the table until you two catch up... I hope you don't have to leave early." She turns to me with hopeful eyes.

"No, I don't."

She smiles and kisses my cheek before going to the kitchen.

I'm about to offer a hand when Mason starts, "I need to talk to you."

With a frown, I gaze at him. He doesn't say anything, just furls his fingers around the controller and moves to his room. Silently I follow behind him.

Once inside, he shuts the door and I thrust my hands in my pockets, waiting even though his odd behavior has my imagination run wild, springing up worst-case scenarios.

Past me, he stops a few paces away from the other side and gazes at the window for a long moment.

I gulp, my nerves making me jittery, and finally, my patience runs out. "You didn't look much enthusiastic about being able to move your arms."

At last, he faces me. "It's the only thing I can do... for Mom."

Oh.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," I mumble, dropping my gaze to my shuffling feet.

"I guess I understand why you put it off for so long. Though that's not what I want to talk to you about."

Furrowing my brows, I look up and meet his eyes questioningly.

"Okay... I'm gonna go straight to the point. What's going on between you and Spencer?"

Taken aback by his unusual curiosity I gawk at him. "Excuse me?"

"I've wanted to ask you for a while now, but I couldn't do it in front of Mom and I also didn't want it to be on the phone. So, what's going on between you two?"

To say I'm dumbstruck is an understatement. Not in a million years did I imagine things to turn out like this.

He raises his eyebrows expectantly as I struggle and fail to find any word. I blink multiple times, open and close my mouth but nothing comes out. I probably look like a stupid cartoon fish.

"What was he doing in our Dad's funeral Rae?"

"To help," I answer my tone carrying the unsaid 'duh' at the end of my answer.

He purses his lips with annoyance. "Yeah sure. What are you doing? Are you sleeping with him?"

I gasp. Waving my hand, I start, "First of all that is none of your business-"

"So that's a yes."

"I can't see what this has anything to do with you," I mutter through gritted teeth.

"I'm your older brother, and you are my responsibility. I have to make sure you don't do anything stupid because it's my duty."

I huff and roll my eyes, crossing my arms in front of myself. "Oh please, I am taking care of myself just fine."

"There are so many guys out there, why the fuck would-"

"Oh my God," I cut him off and glare at him. "You don't know anything and you're making up stupid stuff in your head."

"Exactly, so tell me what the hell is going on? Why on earth was Spencer Wright in our dad's funeral, preparing and taking care of everything so we didn't have to worry about them? Why the fuck did the William of Judy Corps show up to offer a better house to us? Saying everything is sorted out with you! And not a day later, why the hell does Nathan Jonson show up, offering to buy a car for us, saying everything is sorted out with you, again? What sort of fuckery have you got yourself into?" by the end of his little confrontation, he's yelling.

I scratch my temple and nibble my bottom lip. "Those are good questions." I cross my arms in front of my chest again.

He gives me an incredulous look and I hold my palm up.

"In fact, I've come here to update you guys on everything."

"Well, go on, update," he demands, scowling at me.

I roll my eyes and shift my weight from one leg to another. "Okay, to be fair, I had no idea Nathan and the William were planning to show up. As for Spencer... he knows Mom that's why he stayed."

A humorless laugh tumbles out of him. "Spencer," he echoes and I frown with confusion. "Since when do students call their professors with their first names?"

I wave my hand. "It slipped. You were calling him Spencer so..."

"Right, because last we talked about him, he was Wright for you and now he's Spencer." He presses his lips into a thin line.

I sigh, deciding to change my tactic. "Listen," I start, much calmer than before.

"I know you're worried for me, and you're trying to look out for me, but I just need you to trust me. Yes, I am doing a few things, and I'm so close to reaching the goal. Just a few more months at most. Once it's done, I promise I'll tell you everything, but for now, I need you to trust me." I clasp my hands in front of myself, trying to reason with him, watching him with pleading eyes.

For a long moment, he stares at me blankly. Although I can see it in his blue eyes, the same color as Dad's, that he's contemplating.

"Don't you trust me?" I ask in a soft and small voice. This catches his attention and breaks his chain of thoughts, wherever that they were headed.

"Truth be told, I don't."

My jaw sets, a jab of annoyance prickles my senses as I tense under his gaze.

"Gracie, I need you to understand where I'm coming from. You and Mom are all I have left. True, I'm pretty much useless right now, but my brain is still working. The least I can do is have a positive input in your life. Please don't take that away from me too."

His words soften me instantly. The idiot knows how to get his way with me.

"You used to tell me everything before the bankruptcy," he mumbles and looks away.

I sigh and rub my forehead. He has a point. I did tell him everything. Especially when I used to screw up and didn't want to let Mom and Dad in on it.

"Rae, you know I never interfere with the guys you are with, but I know Spencer-"

"No you don't," I interject sharply. Holding his irritated eyes, I ask, "Do you know who his father is?"

"Some rich dude, why?"

I raise my eyebrows, emphasizing my point. "Precisely. He is the William Wright, owner of Judy Corps' eldest son."

His eyes widen with surprise and his mouth hangs open. "I thought Kristian was his only son."

"Spencer is his first kid, with his first wife. In fact, that's why he stayed. Mom knew William's first wife, apparently, they were friends," I explain.

The initial shock rides off and his features harden. "Are you fooling me, or yourself? You think I didn't notice how he was constantly watching out for you?" he shakes his head.

I throw my head back and groan, half tempted to start pacing his room. I don't know if this reason wasn't strong enough for convincing him, how else will I get out of this without revealing too much.

"Gracie, you need to tell someone what you're doing. In case it all blows up in your face, someone will be there for you. I can't support you financially, but let me be there for you mentally."

"So far everything has gone according to my plan, and-"

"Wait a second, what do you mean everything? Your plan has steps? On what scale are you moving? What are you trying to pull off? Gracie, what are you doing?" Now he is plainly worried, his eyes are wide, creases of concern running along his forehead.

I run my hand through my hair and stare at the window. "Why can't you just-"

"If you don't tell me, I'll tell Mom you're doing something, and then it'll all be between you and her."

I gape at him. "Why are you being such an asshole."

He shrugs. "It is what it is. So tell me."

I fist my hands and unclench them a few times, tapping my foot on the stone floor as I ponder over my options. Mom must not know under any circumstances, especially since she knows Spencer and was friends with his mom.

And the rest of the plan, well I was planning on telling them about it, I suppose I just have to repeat myself.

I inhale sharply and push my shoulders back, taking in his neat room before finally setting my focus on him.

"I told you, I wanted to tell you guys... a part of it. But if you want to know everything, promise you won't tell Mom."

He rolls his eyes but promises nonetheless.

"A while ago, before Dad left us, Nathan and I had met about two times... the details of how and why aren't important, but one night he offered a deal. I had to go with him somewhere and he'd give me eight percent of his business' shares... now I have eight percent under my name."

Mason's eyes widen but he stays silent. This is a good start.

"That night he also offered something else... Benjamin Stewart has begun messing with William and he kinda wants to get back at him... he believes my presence at his side will be beneficial. He has offered me a spot in his business after my graduation."

He frowns. "What does Spencer have to do with all of this?"

"Right, that." I force a laugh to lighten the mood but it doesn't help.

"A few months ago, Spencer called me to his office... he wasn't around and I thought maybe I'd be able to find my grades so I started snooping around, but instead I found a question I thought I had seen its answer. I spent an entire night working on it... and it turned out to be a millennial question..."

With narrowed eyes, he stares at me skeptically. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

I huff and begin pacing the room. "Yes... the prize money of a millennial question is one million dollars..." I halt and study his features.

His eyes widening with horror as if already he has put the pieces together. He shakes his head, his mouth agape.

"Wait." I jump. "Let me explain. I thought I solved it and I thought I have to submit it for Fields, you know the awards for mathematicians, I didn't know the million dollars part. For submitting I needed him but I couldn't tell him I'd snoop around his office, he'd go berserk and I'd lose this shot for good. So I proved myself to him... a-and... befriended him and then convinced him to work on this problem with me. Meanwhile, I slipped in my pieces of the solution and he worked with those and perfected the final solution. So, it's just a matter of months until we win the prize."

Mason gapes at me for a lengthy moment.

Noisily I gulp as I observe his shock-stricken face, not even blinking.

"Mason?" I call out, fidgeting with my fingers, worry wreaking havoc in me.

"Let me get this straight, you tricked the William's eldest son, your professor, into solving and perfecting your solution so you could win the prize... and then probably slept with him to ensure you get the entire money."

I gasp, "No."

"What the fuck have you done?" his eyes are still glossy, his voice far away and disbelieving.

"It's not like that. And it's not like he'll ever find out." The pitch of my voice keeps going higher as I wait for him to show any sort of reaction other than his ragged breathing.

My comment snaps him out of his haze. "You've used that guy and instead of feeling remorse you're saying he won't find out so there's nothing to worry about it!" he exclaims.

"No need to be so dramatic. And I did not sleep with him to make sure he gives the entire money to me."

"So you did sleep with him." He shakes his head, disappointment marring and drawing his features together. "Because of this answer you found." The sadness his voice holds suffocates me. "Befriended," he mocks.

"There is no need to make it into such a big deal. Yes, my intentions were not the best when I was getting close to him but now-"

"It doesn't matter Rae," he sharply cuts me off. "He trusted you and all this while you've been putting up an act, to get him to solve a millennial question for you so you can win some money out of it. And Spencer Wright from all people! What were you even thinking? If William finds out he'll destroy you."

The creaking of the door makes us both halt. I spin and Mason moves his wheelchair to see around me.

Mom stands in the doorway, her hand resting on the knob as her gaze flickers between me and Mason.

"Is it true Gracie?" Mom's voice is devoid of emotion, just like her blank but hard face.

"No." I take a step to her. "He's making it sound way worse than it actually is."

"Maddy's son- Spencer, is he your professor?"

I inhale sharply and run my hand through my hair. She arches an eyebrow, her lips set in a straight line. "I had a class with him in the previous semester."

She enters the room, and with deliberate steps she nears me. "And is he a professor to you?"

I rub my palms over my thighs. "Friends would be a better word," I hesitantly answer, unable to decipher what's happening in Mom's mind.

"What is this question and solution you two were talking about?" her sharp gaze cuts through me.

I shuffle my feet nervously. "It's not what he made it sound like."

"Okay, then correct him, what parts were wrong?" She crosses her arms in front of her chest.

Once again I'm reminded of my childhood. Mom was always stricter than Dad. We made sure to never encounter her angry side because even Dad couldn't hold her back.

I fumble with words. Finally, I give in and admit the truth. "At first, it was just like how Mason said... but then I got to know him and realized how wrong I was, but it's too late, if he finds anything, everything will be over."

She shakes her head, blinking a few times. "I don't understand. Why would you do something like this? Is money really worth so much for you?"

Mason's disappointment hurt, but Mom's is shredding me apart.

Exasperated I glance at Mason before turning to her and saying, "Isn't it obvious? I wanted to fix things, to gain back our lifestyle."

"At what cost Rae?" Mom shouts and I flinch back.

"You can't even imagine the hell that boy has been through. But let's just oversee that, how could you do that to anyone? Regardless of their past and their status?"

"There's no harm done if he never finds out," I counter back.

Mom stares at me as if I've grown a second head. "You weren't like this... you had conscious. How can you live with yourself knowing you've used and betrayed someone?"

"Maybe I have changed." I shrug. "But I do know one thing, I cannot live like this, and I am willing to do anything to get back to our previous lifestyle. Maybe you guys can accept this, but I can't and I've done everything in my power to change it and I'm so close to reaching it and at this point, it's worth it. The guilty conscious and everything, it's all worth it if it ends with a half a million dollar in my bank account."

"Unbelievable." She takes a step back, her glacial glare set on the window.

"Your friend, William, believes Benjamin had a hand in the accident that did this to Mason," I announce as I shift on my spot to be able to see Mason's face too.

Their heads snap to me, both shocked.

Taking my opportunity, I go on, "If that's true, that man has taken away a hell load of things from us, and if either of you thinks I'll sit back, doing nothing, you're wrong. I want to bring him down, make him suffer like he made us and I will do anything to reach the aims for my revenge."

An incredulous laugh escapes Mason but Mom scowls at me. "And with all these things you've done to reach these aims... do they make you any different than him?"

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stagger as my eyes widen. At first, I assume I heard her wrong, but from her hard expression, that doesn't seem likely.

"I can't believe it. What is your difference with him now? He'd go to any extent for money. He'd ruin numerous lives without a bit of remorse, just like you. For this revenge you're after, you're turning worse than him."

I ball my fists as I shake with anger. "I am nothing like him. All I'm doing is, trying to get back what is ours, make him pay for the pain he caused and for taking dad from us."

She clenches her jaw, pursing her lips.

"There had to be other ways Rae," Mason softly says.

"There weren't. You think I didn't consider? This was the only thing I could do to fix things, and I did. And I do not regret any of my decisions because I'm sick of this life and I will get out of it at the first given chance."

"Is this what your dad would have wanted you to do?" Mom quietly asks.

"I won't ever get to know that because of Benjamin Stewart," my voice wavers as I hold her gaze.

With a sharp inhale, I gather myself, pushing away the pain of loss and composing myself. "Once I get the money, I'll start a business or something, you two are free to join me, or if you don't want to, you can stay here, stuck in this state for good, but either way, you cannot judge me for my choices. And nor can you stop me."

I don't wait to see their reaction and storm out of the room. Without wasting a second, I grab my bag and head out of the house. I don't think I'll be able to bear an entire dinner with them. At least not now.

As I march down the stairs, my phone buzzes with a new text alert, giving me a pause. I don't stop descending the stairs as I fish out my phone and just as I step out of the building, I turn on my phone reading the message.

'Just submitted the solution.

Call me if you need me, I'm free.'

I halt in the middle of the sidewalk and reread Spencer's message. The solution is submitted. It's only a matter of time now until other mathematicians begin checking it and ensuring it's correct.

A slow smile curls my lips. The anger, frustration, and irritation of the day are washed away by this amazing news, joy slips into my system.

Once it's settled, Mom and Mason will realize that it was all worth it. They'll be proud of me too and happy I did this.

But till then, I won't let them bring down my spirits. Not after I've worked so hard to get to this point.

With a bright smile, I walk down the sidewalks, heading to my own apartment.

∞ ∞ ∞

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