Chapter 9: Horrible Family

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappled shadows flickering across Byron and Amy. Amy carried a basket of fruit, looking tense. As they walked, she cautioned him, "Byron, when you see your uncle's family, be polite. Don't be as headstrong as you used to be." Byron tilted his head and gave a small nod, a cocky curve to his mouth. "I hear you." They stepped into Belville Estates and stopped before what used to be their front door. Amy faltered. "Byron, maybe we should leave it. We can think of something else. Maybe your aunt will pay us back later." Byron frowned. "What are you saying? We're already at Aunt Eliana's door and you want to turn back?" Amy still hesitated. "Byron, I just feel this isn't right. It might sour things between us and your aunt's family." Byron's tone sharpened. "If you don't want to say it, I will." "No, let me," she said quickly. She drew a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. The sound echoed down the quiet corridor. A moment later, an impatient voice called out from inside. "Who is it?" The door swung open. Eliana appeared on the threshold. At the sight of Amy, her expression soured. "What are you doing here?" Amy managed a weak smile. "Eliana, we came to see you." Eliana flicked a glance at the fruit basket and frowned. "If you have something to say, say it fast. I'm busy." Amy hesitated, then spoke. "Eliana, we came about the house. We agreed the price was seventy grand, and you only paid a $10,000 deposit. Isn't it time you gave us the rest? We need the money urgently for medical treatment." Eliana's expression darkened further. "Didn't I tell you I'm short on cash? When I have some breathing room, I'll give it to you. What's the rush?" She moved to shut the door.  Byron shot out his hand, blocking the door. "Huh?" Only then did Eliana realize Byron was there. Her eyes went wide. "Byron… how are you out? I thought you got life." Byron did not answer. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Aunt Eliana, long time no see." Eliana studied him for a moment, then said, "I'm busy and can't have you over right now. Go home; I'll have you over another time." Byron kept his palm braced against the door. "Aunt Eliana, we're family. No need for formalities. We'll sit inside. If you have work to do, go ahead." He didn't wait for a response. He pushed the door open and led his mother inside. Eliana's face showed clear displeasure, but for the sake of family, she swallowed it. Everyone was home. Ashlyn Sabey sat on the sofa scrolling through her phone. Her father, Neil Sabey, was nearby reading a newspaper. Byron gave them a polite nod. "Long time no see." They both paused and looked up at him, surprise spreading over their faces. Ashlyn blurted out, "Byron, how did you get out? Don't tell me you escaped." The mood turned tense. Neil looked Byron over and frowned, saying nothing. Amy, mortified, glanced between Byron and Eliana's family, at a loss. Byron's face didn't change. He seemed immune to the discomfort. Neil set down the newspaper and made small talk with Amy. "Amy, how have you been? Everything fine at home?" Amy managed a weak smile and answered him. After a moment, she swallowed and tried again. "Eliana, Neil, about the house… could you give us the remaining money? We really need it." Eliana's impatience flared. She was about to change the subject when she noticed Byron and switched gears. "Oh, let's not talk about the house yet. Byron went to prison, didn't he? How did he do inside?" Byron replied evenly, "Aunt Eliana, I did great. Inside, I was the one helping to straighten other people out." A heavy silence fell over the room. Ashlyn's head snapped up. She raked him with a slow, deliberate look from head to toe, then sneered. "Wow, Byron, you can really brag. Who do you think you are? At least make your lies sound halfway plausible. You're addicted to putting on airs." Byron let his gaze cool on her. "Believe it or not." Neil's brows drew together. He clucked his tongue. "Hmph. I didn't expect you to come out worse than you went in. At this rate, mark my words, within three months you'll be sent back." Amy floundered, flustered. "Neil, Eliana, Ashlyn, you've misunderstood. That's not what he means. He probably went through things inside and got a little muddled. Byron, apologize to them now." Byron's expression didn't change. He addressed Neil in a steady and quiet tone. "Uncle Neil, I'm telling the truth. Whether you believe me is your business. I don't need to lie to make you feel better." Neil's temper snapped. "Watch your mouth, boy. You do a few years and now you think you're some kingpin?" Eliana chimed in, "Exactly. How can you talk to your uncle like that? You're getting more and more out of line." Ashlyn watched Byron with a cold smirk, like he was some kind of joke. Seeing the impasse, Amy rushed to smooth things over. "Eliana, Neil, don't be angry. Byron just got out and isn't used to things yet. Please don't take him seriously." Byron disliked their attitude, but for his mother's sake, he held himself in check. He returned to the point. "Aunt Eliana, when will you pay the remaining balance on the house? We truly need it." Eliana stiffened at the demand. She frowned, eyes shifting. "Byron, do you have a job now?" Byron paused, then said, "I just got out. No job yet." A small, satisfied smile flickered over Eliana's face. "See? Fresh out and you come asking for money. Think about your own path. By the way, Ashlyn works at Thubron Group now; it's a publicly traded company. Since we're family, I can ask her to get you a job." Amy brightened at once. She turned to Eliana, grateful. "Eliana, thank you, truly. I've been so worried about this. If Byron can get proper work, that would be wonderful." Ashlyn, disgusted, looked Byron up and down. "Him? With a record, even getting a security guard job would be tough. Thubron Group isn't a place for just anybody." Eliana shot Ashlyn a glare. "Ashlyn, just think of something. Even if it's cleaning the toilets." Ashlyn rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll try, but I'm not promising anything." Amy nodded repeatedly, thanking Ashlyn. Byron studied Ashlyn's arrogance and felt his patience wear thin. He was the Divine Lord. If he so much as nodded, countless top powers would scramble to curry favor. He didn't need Eliana's family to find him work. He cut back to the matter at hand. "Aunt Eliana, set the job talk aside. I need a clear answer on the payment." Eliana's temper flared. "Don't be ungrateful. We're offering to help you find a job, and you keep fixating on the payment for the house. What do you mean by this?" Amy saw Eliana losing her patience and jumped in. "Eliana, please don't be angry. Byron just got out and doesn't understand how things are. We're already grateful if you help him find a job." She turned to Byron, pleading. "Byron, your aunt isn't refusing. Let's give it a little time; don't strain the relationship." "Enough." Byron stood his ground and fixed Eliana with a hard stare. "Aunt Eliana, you know our situation inside and out. You know we sold the house cheap to raise money for treatment. And you want to pocket the money we need to save a life. Do you have any conscience at all?" "Shut up, you heartless thing!" Eliana exploded, jabbing a finger at him as she tore into him. "When your useless father was in the hospital, my family did more than our share to take care of him. I'm just short on cash and can't pay the rest right now, and you dare curse me? Outrageous!" She became increasingly agitated. "Listen carefully. I bought that house, so it's mine. Leave before I really lose my temper, or you won't get a single cent." A fierce glint flickered in Byron's eyes. Smack! He pulled out ten bundles of cash from his bag and flung them at Eliana's face. "Eliana, listen. Here's your ten grand back. You have one week to move out. If you don't, I'll bring in some muscle to take care of it."