The Price of Favoritism

Overtime work meant leaving my five-year-old son, Leo, at my parents place for the day. When I went to pick him up, I almost fainted on the spot.

Leos bottom was swollen, his jeans soaked through with blood. He could barely stand. The moment he saw me, he burst into tears and burrowed into my arms.

Trembling with rage, I called my mom to find out what happened.

Her sharp voice pierced through the phone. Whats wrong with me disciplining your child? He spent two dollars on a carousel ride, and then wanted another one! Hes only five and already so greedy. Of course I hit him!

Look how sensible Brandon is! my dad snatched the phone, his voice even more self-righteous than my moms. The money he asked for was only enough for one helicopter ride, and he didnt demand another! Learning to save money from a young age is how it should be! If your son were half as sensible as Brandon, would I have needed to lay a hand on him?

A metallic taste filled my throat, my anger boiling. Robert, Martha, youre absolutely right. So, starting this month, your monthly twenty-thousand-dollar allowance is cut. From now on, youll need to submit requests for money and get them approved. Whether I approve or not depends on my mood.

What does that mean? Robert was stunned.

I clenched my fists, knuckles white, my voice flat. It means youll have to submit a request for anything you want to buy. Any expenditure over two dollars must include an explanation of its purpose, and Ill release the funds only after my review.

Robert roared, his voice venomous, Are you crazy? We did all this for your sons own good. Dont be ungrateful!

I cut him off. The more complicated the approval process, the more youll learn your lesson, learn to be frugal, and become as sensible as Brandon. Im doing this for your own good, too

*Click.* Before I could finish, Robert, furious, hung up the phone.

Leo was still clinging to me, his face terrifyingly pale.

I gently peeled back his pants. His skin and the fabric were peeling away together. The jeans were stained bright red with blood, a blinding sight that burned into my eyes.

Leo gasped in pain, his little hands clutching my shirt tighter.

My chest felt like it had been violently slammed, my throat tight.

Seeing my expression, Leo looked up, clumsily brushed his small hand against my face, and whispered, Daddy, did I cause you trouble?

Daddy, I wanted to ride the carousel again just because the horses sing, and I wanted to learn their song to sing to you.

I touched his feverish forehead, my throat aching as if cut by a knife, unable to make a sound.

I quickly called a cab and rushed him to the hospital.

The diagnosis came back: Leo didnt just have superficial wounds; he had a fractured sacrum.

The words on the diagnosis sheet shredded my sanity. Clutching the report, I punched the wall, smashing my knuckles until they bled.

If I hadn't taken Leo to Martha and Roberts, he wouldnt have been abused like this!

Every month, at the end of the month, Id deposit twenty thousand dollars into their account without fail. Month after month, never an excuse.

Besides that, they never lacked fresh fruit or expensive supplements.

This time, with heavy overtime at work, I had no other choice but to send Leo to my parents house. I never imagined that because of two dollars, my son would be beaten to a fractured sacrum!

Martha and Robert came to the hospital on Leo's third day of admission.

Oh, the child is just delicate. It was just a few switches with a stick. Why is he even in the hospital? Marthas sharp voice reached my ears before she even entered the room.

Robert pushed open the door, his gaze immediately falling on Leo, who was sitting on the bed.

Leos eyes darted away, nervously looking at me.

I patted his shoulder, assuring him he was safe.

Robert placed a bag of fruit on the table and then sat on the edge of the bed. A forced smile stretched his lips as he reached out to touch Leo. Leo, are you feeling better? Martha and I did it for your own good. You dont blame us, do you?

Leo hastily recoiled, hiding behind me, biting his lip tightly, his eyes filled with fear.

I stood in front of Leo and said calmly, What are you doing here?

Martha said softly, Of course we came to see my precious grandson. Even though he broke our rules, I wont blame him. So, the allowance, itll be sent at the end of the month, right?

I cut her off, glaring. Rules? What bullshit rules? Rules just for Leo, right? Brandon gets to ride a two-thousand-dollar helicopter without a second thought, but Leo rides a two-dollar carousel and you beat him until he has a fractured sacrum?

I spoke through gritted teeth, forcing each word out.

Martha froze, startled by my outburst. After a moment, she put her hands on her hips. Thats because because Leos application form was problematic. His name wasnt written properly, and the reason wasnt clear.

She rolled her eyes. Unlike Brandon, who has neat handwriting and solid reasons.

Martha showed no hint of guilt; instead, she was self-righteous.

I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone from my bag, and called the police in front of them.

I want to report child abuse. My son has a fractured sacrum and is currently at the City Childrens Hospital, Orthopedics Department.

Marthas face instantly changed. She lunged forward, trying to grab my phone. Are you crazy?! Why call the police?! Were your parents!

Robert also stood up, pointing a finger at my nose and yelling, Ethan, are you serious? All this for two dollars?

For two dollars? You could beat my son like this for two dollars. Why cant I send you to the police station for two dollars?!

The police arrived quickly.

While I was giving my statement, Martha was still rambling on. We were just disciplining our grandchild for our son. What family doesnt hit their kids?

Hes greedy and doesnt follow rules. He wanted to ride the carousel again. Thats a matter of principle!

Five years old, a matter of principle? Officer Miller, the female police officer taking the report, looked up at her. A five-year-old child with a fractured sacrum. You call that discipline? Thats abuse!

Martha choked on her words.

Robert stood to the side, his face darker than thunder.

In the mediation room, I looked at Leo, who was huddled in the corner, trembling in fear. I told my parents, Leo will never go to your house again. If you want to see him, youll go through the approval process!

Robert suddenly erupted in rage, raising his hand to strike me. Youve gone too far!

Officer Jenkins, the mediation officer, immediately stood up and grabbed Roberts arm. Sir, please control yourself. If you hit him, the nature of the situation will change.

Roberts hand froze in mid-air.

In the end, they signed the mediation agreement.

By the time I left the police station with the mediation order, it was already dark.

Back at the hospital, after I tucked Leo into bed, I sat alone on the balcony. My phone showed May 30th.

Normally, on this day, I would have promptly transferred twenty thousand dollars to my parents account.

But now, thinking of Leo, unable to even sit up from the beating, my chest ached as if being ground by a dull knife.

I clenched my fists, pressing my nails so hard they almost dug into my palms.

Soon after, I drafted a form, with "Allowance Spending Request Form" at the top. It included sections for applicant, reason for request, and amount requested.

Once it was ready, I sent it to Robert.

My parents didnt have a pension, and my sister Sarahs family lived on her three-thousand-dollar monthly salary.

My parents used the allowance I gave them to subsidize Sarah. I had always turned a blind eye.

But now, for the sake of my son, I would not tolerate it any longer.

The next morning, I woke up to dozens of missed calls. Martha had called twelve times, Robert seven, and Sarah fifteen.

Robert had even sent dozens of messages:

[Ethan, what kind of joke is this? Why are you being so formal with your own parents?]

[Any expense over two dollars needs approval? Do we have to report to you even to buy an onion?]

[Hurry up and send the money!]

Before I could finish reading the messages, Martha called. She sounded like shed been bottling up her anger and finally found an outlet. Ethan, I gave birth to you and raised you! Youre setting up some approval system to cut down on our allowance? Have you no shame? I advise you to send the twenty thousand dollars over right away. Brandons extracurricular classes need their tuition paid.

I didnt speak, just listened in silence.

Are you deaf?!

I cleared my throat and said, word by word, Martha, to set a good example for Leo, we adults naturally need to lead by example.

Besides, Im not refusing to give you money. It just needs approval. As long as your handwriting is neat and your reasons are solid, Ill still give you your allowance!

There was a long silence on the other end. After a while, Martha gritted her teeth and said, Ethan, Ethan, youre something else. Your wings have grown strong, havent they? Fine, approval it is!

The call ended. Three minutes later, Robert sent an application form.

I opened the image and almost laughed out of anger.

They had just torn off a piece of scrap paper and scribbled a few lines: Applicant: Robert Miller. Amount: 20000. Purpose: Living expenses. There wasnt even a proper reason.

I replied directly: Rejected. Insufficient reason, sloppy handwriting. Resubmit.

Five minutes later, Martha called again. Ethan! Your dad has presbyopia, whats wrong with his writing? Were your birth parents, are you really trying to humiliate us?

I said calmly, Martha, arent you the ones who insist on rules the most? The approval system is what you taught me. Im just putting what I learned into practice.

Marthas voice was so sharp it almost pierced my eardrums. She gritted her teeth. Fine, fine, well rewrite it!

This time, they printed out a form, filled it in, and sent it over. Roberts handwriting was indeed much neater:

Applicant: Robert Miller, Martha Miller. Amount: Twenty Thousand Dollars (exact). Purpose: 1. Daily living expenses: two thousand; 2. Brandons English enrichment class: eight thousand; 3. Brandons introductory programming class: seven thousand.

I stared at the screen, my fingers trembling slightly. Brandon, it was always Brandon. My sisters son, their grandson.

He had been spoiled rotten by his grandparents since he was little.

A two-thousand-dollar helicopter ride? He just got to ride. An eight-thousand-dollar class? They didn't even bat an eye.

And my Leo, who just wanted to hear one more song on a two-dollar carousel, was beaten until he had a fractured sacrum.

I took a deep breath and typed on my phone: [Partially approved. Daily living expenses: two thousand, will be released as requested. Brandon-related expenses: fifteen thousand, rejected.]

Less than ten seconds after I sent the message, Sarahs call came in. What do you mean? Brandons tuition is due next week, and my salary is only three thousand! Where am I supposed to find the money to pay for his tuition?

I didnt respond.

Sarahs voice grew louder. You earn so much a month, whats wrong with spending a little on your nephew? Are you saving it all for that useless son of yours?

I clenched my phone, knuckles white. Sarah, your monthly salary is three thousand, but Brandons single class costs eight thousand. Ive checked the bank statements for the past three years. At least fifteen thousand dollars of my parents allowance was transferred to your account every month. I never made a fuss about any of that.

But things are different now.

Sarahs voice abruptly rose. Whats different?

I closed my eyes, as if seeing my sons bloodied and bruised buttocks again. I send twenty thousand dollars a month, supporting your whole family. But how did you treat my son?

Because of two dollars, Leo was in the hospital for half a month, unable to get out of bed!

Silence on the other end for a few seconds, then Sarah roared, Ethan, dont forget, when you got divorced, who helped you take care of Leo? Robert and Martha may not have earned praise, but they certainly put in the hard work!

Thats why I give them twenty thousand dollars every month. Three years, a total of seven hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Sarah, you know exactly how much you took in those three years.

Thats Mom and Dads money!

Its my money, I said coldly.

Sarah angrily hung up the phone.

Half a month later, Leo recovered and was discharged from the hospital. Just as we reached the hospital lobby, Martha burst in, followed closely by Robert and Sarah.

The moment Martha saw me, her expression contorted. Ethan! Are you trying to drive us to our deaths?!

Do you know what weve been through this past half-month? How could you be so heartless, only sending two thousand dollars? Are you treating us like beggars?!

She tugged at my sleeve and slapped me hard across the face.

Your sister is being hounded by the bank for her mortgage payments, and Brandon will be expelled if his tuition isnt paid! You dont care about any of this? Are you just going to save all your money for that worthless son of yours?

The blow stung my face, but I didnt budge an inch, shielding Leo tightly behind me.

Martha, where are the application forms?

What?

I looked up, meeting her gaze directly. The mortgage application form, Brandons tuition application form. According to the rules, one by one, Ill review them slowly.

Martha froze, her eyes bloodshot. More and more onlookers gathered. Martha dramatically collapsed onto the ground. She sat there, pounding her hands on the floor, tears flowing instantly. Oh, my bitter fate! I raised my son through such hardship, and now I have to ask for his approval just to buy an onion! I have to depend on his mood! I might as well be dead!

Passersby stopped, watching the unfolding farce. Their gazes shot at me like searchlights.

What bad luck, to have such a black-hearted son.

An onion only costs a few dollars. This man looks well-dressed, too. How can he treat his parents so harshly?

Some angered people even threw the hot porridge they had just bought at me.

I immediately shielded Leo in my arms. The scalding porridge hit my back. A burning pain shot through me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a hint of triumph on Marthas lips.

Ethan, everyone here is watching. You wouldnt be so shameless as to refuse our allowance now, would you?

I crouched down, looking Martha directly in the eye, my voice low but clear enough for everyone around to hear. Martha, dont be in such a hurry to cry. You just said I treated you harshly.

Then tell everyone, how did my son get his injuries?

I gently lifted a corner of Leos shirt, revealing the bandaged wounds around his waist.

Leo shivered, his small hands clinging tightly to my neck.

A low gasp rippled through the crowd.

A flicker of guilt crossed Marthas eyes, but she quickly stammered, Th-this he fell himself!

I sneered, pulling out the medical report from my bag and holding it above my head. Fell?

Leos injuries were clearly caused by your stick. Simply because he wanted to ride the carousel one more time.

The City Childrens Hospital Orthopedics Department diagnosed a fractured sacrum, caused by external force. The police have already filed a case, and the mediation order is still in my bag. Do you want to see it?

The crowd stirred, pointing and whispering at Martha. Robert rushed forward, snatched the medical report, and stuffed it into his mouth. Dont you dare slander us!

His Adams apple bobbed as he struggled to swallow the paper. You think you can slander us with two flimsy pieces of paper!

I snorted, pulled out my phone, and played a recording. Marthas voice immediately echoed through the crowd. Ethan, Im disciplining your son for you! He only filled out an application for two dollars to go out, but he still wanted more money. Hes only five and already so greedy. Spare the rod, spoil the child! I broke three sticks hitting him!

Everyone glared fiercely at Martha, who was still slumped on the ground. Some even spat at her.

Beating a child like that for two dollars? Even the devil would take lessons from you!

You old hag, you said you were going to die, so go ahead and do it! Bullying a child like that, youll go to hell even after you die.

Sarah rushed over, vigorously tugging at my sleeve. Ethan, lets talk about this at home. Dont make a spectacle of us here!

I stood up, shielding Leo. A spectacle?

Sarah, you earn three thousand a month, but you drive a luxury car and wear a designer watch. Where did all that money come from? Do you want me to itemize it in front of everyone? Lets see whos making the bigger spectacle!

Sarahs face instantly turned beet red. You youre talking nonsense!

In three years, I transferred a total of seven hundred and twenty thousand dollars in allowance to Robert and Martha. At least fifteen thousand dollars was transferred to your account every month.

I spoke slowly, each word echoing at the hospital entrance. I support Robert and Martha, and you all leech off them. I accepted that. But what right do you have to squander my money and beat my son like this?

Martha scrambled up from the ground, pointing a finger at my nose and yelling, Bullshit! We were disciplining him! Brandon spends money freely, thats one thing, but Leo is five and already greedy for two dollars. What will he be like when he grows up?!

A young father suddenly stepped out from the crowd, his face full of fury. Old man and old lady, what era are we living in? Still playing favorites like that? Look what youve done to this child!

Exactly! She was just lying on the ground playing the victim. Turns out shes a biased old woman!

Using her sons money to support her daughter, and beating her own grandson? This family is something else!

The tide turned instantly.

Marthas face contorted, and she lowered her head, wishing she could just disappear into the ground.

Robert, seeing the situation was getting out of hand, grabbed Marthas arm, wanting to leave. Alright, alright, lets talk about this at home. Dont let people laugh at us here!

Sarah glared fiercely at me, then pulled her parents away. At the exit, she turned back to look at me, her eyes filled with viciousness. Ethan, you just wait. This isnt over!

A month later, I received news that my parents had both committed suicide by poisoning!