My parents want to give my house to my brother. When I refused, Dad yelled, “Ungrateful! Get out!

The Ejection and the Truth

A month after the incident, anticipating Romina’s next visit, I invested in a discreet security camera. True to form, Romina dropped by and enthusiastically announced she was conducting a makeup class.

She dived into my closet, handling my beloved makeup tools, and soon had me seated on the carpet for a lesson with her own cosmetics collection. As I had no plans to leave the house that day, I went to wash off the makeup shortly after she finished.

During this time, Romina packed up, saying she was ready to leave.

“I’ve prepared some tea and snacks in the living room. Please have some before you go,” I called out to her.

I ensured she actually left before I moved to my computer. This precaution was because of the new camera I had hidden in the room to prevent further intrusions or losses.

Upon reviewing the camera footage, my heart sank as I watched Romina discreetly place several makeup items, including some rarely used nail polishes, into her bag.

It seems she thought these small thefts would go unnoticed. Disheartened and in disbelief, I transferred the footage to my smartphone for safekeeping and future evidence.

I then went to the living room to discuss what had transpired with my family. Coincidentally, my brother was there, and as soon as he saw me, he approached with a concerned expression.

“Ah, Alexa, it’s been a while. I heard you got a makeup lesson from Romina today. Please stop relying on her. You’re the reason she feels compelled to come here,” he remarked.

His comment took me by surprise, and I responded.

“What? I don’t recall ever asking Romina for help”.

His misunderstanding of the situation added another layer of frustration to an already troubling day. The revelation of stolen makeup items left me seething with anger.

But the situation only intensified when my brother implied that I had been the one inviting Romina over repeatedly.

“Bro, I never asked Romina to come here. The makeup lesson was entirely her idea,” I countered.

But he sharply retorted.

“What are you talking about? Romina has been trying hard to help you get yourself together because you’re a mess”.

“Me a mess?” I was baffled and stood there in disbelief.

Then, with a dismissive snort, my brother added.

“I heard from our parents that all you do is play on your computer at home every day. Romina is worried about you. She told me her closet is full of expensive clothes and you have plenty of good makeup. Where do you get so much money? You must be siphoning off our parents. We can’t let you handle things anymore.

That’s why we’re taking over the household”.

This accusation struck me like a bolt of lightning. My brother had concluded that I was a shut-in, a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), based solely on my at-home computer use.

But that wasn’t the truth at all. I earn a steady income through my remote work, and my lifestyle doesn’t imply a lack of societal participation. I had always believed my parents understood and supported my situation.

When my parents returned home, I wasted no time addressing the issue. I relayed my brother’s harsh words to them, hoping they would help calm him down.

Yet their response was not immediate, and they seemed deeply troubled, humming and “ha”-ing as if pondering something urgent. I pressed them for clarity.

“Aiden says he’s going to live here, but are you really okay with that, Dad and Mom?”.

Dad quietly responded.

“Well, if Aiden wants to live here, I see no reason to object”.

Mom seemed to agree, adding.

“Indeed, Romina is a wonderful person, and it might be fun for all of us to live together in this house”.

Hearing this, I was dumbstruck. At that moment, Aiden, standing behind me with a triumphant look, raised his voice.

“Unlike you, a NEET who just stays at home, I actually earn money and have a wife. Nobody needs someone like you here”.

I immediately retorted.

“I am not a NEET; I work from home”.

But Aiden continued dismissively.

“Oh, work from home, that’s what pathetic people who have dropped out of society do. It’s not much different from being a NEET”.

His words cut deep, and I was pained by the growing rift within our family. His misunderstanding of remote work was evident.

Nowadays, many companies endorse remote work, and plenty of people are gainfully employed and earning a living from it. The misperceptions and unfounded accusations made the familial tension even more difficult to bear.

Though I am not employed by a traditional company, this doesn’t lessen my worth. Yet, facing disdain from my brother, who dismissively labels me a NEET, is distressing.

“All right, the NEET who works from home, pack your stuff and leave,” he commanded. At this moment, both our parents alternated their glances between Aiden and me, uttering phrases like “what to do” and expressing their hesitance to intervene.

It was a truly disheartening scene. It seemed everyone was charmed by Romina’s amiable nature.

Perhaps she and Aiden had discussed how delightful it would be to have more space for themselves, especially if they planned on children. In comparison, as a single person, I’m seen as less likely to provide grandchildren, which might weigh on my parents’ decision-making.

Although unsure of our parents’ true sentiments, the atmosphere made it painfully clear there was no longer a place for me in this house. Yet I maintained composure, and no tears were shed.

Understanding my precarious position, I declared.

“Understood. I’ll take the furniture and appliances with me”.

This surprised Aiden and Romina.

“How did a NEET like you afford furniture and appliances?” Aiden asked incredulously.

“Check with Dad and Mom. Everything we acquired after you moved out was paid for by me,” I asserted.

After the confrontation, I withdrew to pack my belongings and contacted some acquaintances for help. Once I left, Aiden turned to our parents in disbelief, questioning how I managed to acquire all that furniture and appliances.

Unaware of the full context, our parents responded with a smile.

“If Alexa is called a NEET, and since you are earning more, Aiden, we can buy new furniture and appliances if hers are gone, right?”.

They even mentioned wanting a new massage chair, something I had previously deemed an unnecessary expense. Our parents have always been optimists, seemingly unfazed because Aiden, who has a steady job, could easily replace what was left with me.

In fact, despite the family perception, I have been handling the property taxes on our house for quite some time, a fact not disclosed to Aiden. Our parents tend not to share their disadvantages openly.

As I watched Aiden repeatedly bring up financial concerns, our parents merely laughed it off. “We’re at ease because you are here, Aiden,” they said.

I observed this exchange from the stairs while making calls to finalize my moving arrangements. The next day, I was set to relocate to an apartment I had previously secured.

Several friends, including one who owned a moving company, had agreed to assist, making the process smoother during this off-peak season.