My Sister Got A $10k House Down Payment. I Got “Maybe Start Small For Now?” I Smiled And Left. I Didn’t Tell Them When I Bought My First Property. Or My Second. Or My Fifth. Then Mom Looked Up My Name Online AND SUDDENLY…

“I’m a landlord who refuses to let mold win,” I muttered, smearing primer over a water stained ceiling. “Same difference, you say,” he said, grinning. That night, he kissed my forehead and whispered, “I wish your family could see this side of you.”

“They wouldn’t understand,” I said.

“They’d just find a way to make it about Kayla again.”

He didn’t argue, just held me tighter. At the next Sunday dinner, Mom announced that Kayla had gotten a promotion at her new office job. Something about marketing coordinator, which mostly meant she ran their social media.

Mom beamed. “Our girl’s moving up. Maybe she’ll buy a second house soon.”

“Wow,” I said softly.

“That’s fast.”

Dad nodded proudly. “She’s got the right instincts. You can’t teach that.”

I wanted to laugh.

Instincts? The girl once financed a new couch with a 28% interest rate. Instead, I smiled and helped clear plates.

Dad followed me into the kitchen. “How’s work? Still managing that little complex.”

“Yeah,” I said lightly.

“Still managing.”

“You should think about something more stable, something with growth.”

“I’m working on that.”

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