I Paid $2,500 a Month for My Sister's Rent, and She Called Me a Jerk and Cut Me Off.I Stopped Paying

I paid $2,500 a month for my sister's rent and she called me a jerk and cut me off I stopped paying and what happened next will shock her forever the crisp New York air wasn't enough to cool the fire burning in my chest my sister the one who called me crying every month begging me to pay her rent because she couldn't even afford food was living the High Life clenched my jaw this time she was going to pay the cold night air of New York had a sharp edge that cut to the Bone I crossed

Fifth Avenue with quick strides my heart pounding I couldn't shake the unease that had haunted me all day that nagging voice Whispering that something was wrong for the past 3 years I had been religiously paying my younger sister Emily's rent $2,500 a month a sum I managed to cover with effort convincing myself I did it for family for responsibility for love I have no money for food Alex I can barely pay the electric bill if I move I'll be in danger you're my only support her please echoed in my mind as I climbed the stairs

of her elegant building I stopped in front of the door took a deep breath and rang the doorbell silence I frowned tried again nothing a strange sense of dread settled in my stomach I pulled out my own set of keys another favor Emily had asked for when she moved in and unlocked the door what I saw froze me in place two blonde men probably tourists were comfortably seated in my living room in my dam living room there were wine glasses on the table a New York City guide book open and backpacks on the floor one

of them smiled at me ah you must be the owner he said in English with a thick German accent thank you for letting us stay here it's a fantastic place the world seemed to tilt beneath my feet excuse me I managed to say feeling my pulse hammering in my temples we booked this Airbnb a week ago my wife and I love it Airbnb the air became dense suffocating the words floated around me but they didn't sink in with trembling fingers I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone sweat dampened my palm as I

opened the Airbnb app and typed in the address what appeared on the screen made my throat tighten luxury apartment in the heart of New York City $400 per night no I whispered but my eyes kept scanning the screen I scrolled through the listing seeing every photo every corner of the apartment it was my place the marble table I had personally helped pick out the designer lamp Emily had insisted on buying my bed my sofa everything but the worst part was reading the description a luxurious Oasis in New York's most exclusive neighborhood 247 cust customer service

perfect for travelers seeking comfort and exclusivity my heartbeat pounded in my ears my hands trembled my fingers gripped the phone so tightly that for a second I had the irrational urge to smash it against the wall Emily had scammed me she hadn't just lied she had used me she had taken advantage of my trust my love as a brother she had been draining me of $2,500 a month while making nearly double that renting it out to tourists every anything okay the tourist asked noticing my expression but I didn't answer my thoughts were colliding dark and

Furious how long has she been deceiving me how the hell am I going to make her pay for this how much money has she made behind my back I closed my eyes for a moment trying to contain the wave of Rage rising in my chest my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my skin Emily had no idea that her game was over I left the apartment without saying a word that night New York City Shone as brightly as ever but to me the city had never looked so filthy the lights of New

York blurred through the windshield as I drove aimlessly couldn't go home not yet the fury inside me was a wild animal clawing at my chest demanding an escape I pressed the accelerator I needed to think Emily had scammed me this wasn't just about money it was about betrayal manipulation blatant mock Y how long had she been doing this since the beginning had she been lying the entire time about being broke I gripped the steering will so tightly my Knuckles turned white don't act impulsively I knew that I couldn't just call her and scream I had

to destroy her with intelligence with Precision I pulled into a 24-hour cafe and took out my phone the screen still showed the Airbnb listing I took a deep breath my fingers icy and did the first thing that came to mind I opened Instagram Emily Morgan luxlife the first few photos made my stomach turn Emily on The Terrace of the Four Seasons Hotel New York downtown holding a glass of champagne with the Manhattan skyline glowing behind her Emily at per posing with an extravagant three Michelin star dish Emily at the pool of The Plaza Hotel in

a bikini holding a cocktail with the caption work hard enjoy harder the irony almost made me laugh work hard I kept scrolling there were dozens of pictures like these Emily in designer clothes Emily with luxury luggage at the airport Emily dining at the most exclusive spots in New York City every single post was a slap in the face how many of these luxuries did she steal from me while Rose in my throat but the worst came when I opened her story highlights and saw a folder titled my sweet home I clicked the first video showed

the apartment I paid for but it wasn't a home it was a luxury showroom for tourists Emily recorded the living room the kitchen the view from the balcony I worked so hard to get this place but it was worth it her voice over said sweetly the next video showed a foreign couple smiling at the camera Welcome to New York guys hope you enjoy your stay in my apartment the phone almost slipped from my hands oh my God Emily I muttered feeling my blood boil I shut my eyes and took a deep breath this wasn't just

a lie anymore this was a direct insult a spit in the face Alexander where are you three dots appeared on the screen then a message Emily at home why I bit my tongue at home a li I checked the time 12:23 a.m. I reopened the Airbnb app my apartment's listing was still up status booked until Saturday Emily wasn't home where the hell is she clenching my jaw I scrolled through her stories until I found what I was looking for location The Plaza Hotel 2 hours ago she had posted a story from the hotel's bar holding

a cocktail with the caption a toast to the life I deserve I let out a dry laugh the life you deserve we'll see about that I started the car and pulled away Emily had no idea what was coming the engine roared through the silent New York night as I drove toward the Plaza Hotel my hands were still tight on the wheel my jaw clenched to the point of pain my mind wasn't clear just one image kept flashing Emily raising her glass toasting to the life she deserved while I paid her damn rent no not anymore

I swerved sharply into Columbus Circle and parked right in front of the Grand Hotel stepping out of the car with quick strides I felt the Fury pulsing in my chest with every heartbeat she had no idea I had found her out the lobby of the Plaza Hotel was a spectacle of marble and crystal chandeliers but I couldn't care less my eyes scanned the room until they landed on her Emily was at the bar relaxed smiling comfortably settled on a velvet couch with a glass of Dom peragon in hand she wasn't alone across from her a

suited man was laughing leaning toward her in a clearly FLIR aous manner he looked like one of those Executives who played at being rich with borrowed money and Emily in her tight red dress and Crimson lipstick was the perfect image of a high maintenance woman who lived off other people's cash a shiver of Fury ran up my spine no more games I approached with firm steps ignoring the soft background music and the bartender curious glance as I pass the bar Emily kept laughing swirling her glass elegantly until she saw me the color drained from her

face what what are you doing here she stammered setting her glass down on the table the man beside her glanced at me with curiosity but I didn't even spare him a look stand up my voice was low tense Alex this isn't the time stand now Emily blinked pretending confusion please don't make a scene a scene I let out a dry laugh and tossed my phone onto the table the screen still displayed the Airbnb listing her listing for my apartment Emily stared at it and her expression shifted Panic this isn't don't take me for a fool

I cut her off leaning over the table 3 years three damn years I've been paying your rent while you made money behind my back 3 years Emily the man beside her shifted uncomfortably in his seat I think I should leave yes you should I snapped not breaking eye contact with my sister the guy stood up quickly and walked away without looking back Emily swallowed hard listen I can explain I don't want your explanations I want to know how much money you stole from me I didn't steal anything she whispered glancing around nervously as if afraid

someone might hear I clenched my fists oh really then tell me where do you sleep when your apartment is booked Emily looked away I in five-star hotels right with my money I watched her lick her lips desperately searching for a believable lie but there wasn't one not this time how much I repeated planting my hands firmly on the table I want the exact number Emily clicked her tongue why does it even matter why are you so upset it's not like you don't have money silence a silence so thick that the only sound was the soft

Melody of The Pianist in the background I felt heat rising in my chest there it was that arrogant attitude that cheap justification Emily had never felt guilty not once I leaned in closer my voice a sharp whisper tell me something Emily if it didn't matter why lie why pretend you couldn't even pay the electric bill while living like a damn Queen she looked away because I knew that if I told you you'd stop paying for me I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat unbelievable you say it like it's nothing em lifted her chin

defiantly look Alex I didn't do anything illegal you were just naive enough never to ask Boom the final blow a confession disguised as mockery I stared at her for a long second then I let out a dry chuckle you know what you're right Emily blinked caught off guard what you're right I was a fool but do you know what's the best thing about realizing something like that I straightened up grabbed my phone from the table and slid it into my pocket that now I can fix it I turned and walked out of the hotel without

looking back Emily remained seated pale her mouth slightly open she didn't know it yet but her life of luxury had just died the echo of my own footsteps on the marble floor was the only sound I heard as I exited the Plaza Hotel my heart was pounding but my mind had never been clearer there was no turning back I got into my car and slammed the door shut taking it deep breath I tried to calm the fury still burning inside me but I wasn't going to explode not this time I was going to destroy her

calmly with Precision I pulled out my phone and dialed my bank good evening I want to cancel an automatic transfer of course sir what the amount $2,500 per month I replied coldly the rent payment for my sister the operator typed something followed by a brief silence understood Mr Morgan the transfer has been cancelled done the game was over now Emily was going to fall the next morning I woke up to my phone vibrating on the nightstand Emily 10 missed calls I rolled my eyes and let it keep ringing a message popped up seconds later Emily

Alex we need to talk it's urgent I smirked in disdain Alexander urgent like paying rent without my money the three dots appeared iMed immediately showing she was typing Emily don't be childish let's just talk Alexander you have nothing left to say to me Emily Alex damn it what did you do the landlord just called me he says the payment never arrived did you cancel it Alexander yes Emily you can't do this to me Alexander I just did Silence then another call ignored I got up calmly and went to make myself a coffee enjoying the silence

for the first time in years I didn't feel the weight of anyone else's problems on my shoulders until my phone rang again this time it was an unknown number yes Mr Morgan the male voice was sharp this is James Murphy the landlord of the apartment on Fifth Avenue I was silent for a second how can I help you I need to speak with you about your sister I just found out what she's been doing with my property I calmly set my coffee cup down on the table I'm listening a neighbor alerted me last night I

checked on Airbnb and sure enough Emily has been renting the apartment to tourists without my permission I'm not surprised I said with a side smile what do you plan to do about it evict her a wave of satisfaction washed over me good decision the lease is under her name right asked the landlord I need you to come sign the cancellation of the lease tell me when and I'll be there today at 4: see you then I hung up and for the first time in years I felt free for PM I arrived at the landlord's office

and signed the paperwork with an almost therapeutic calm that was the final nail in the coffin of Emily's luxurious life when I left the building my phone exploded with calls again Emily I ignored the first three then the fourth but on the fifth I decided to answer what's up sis I've been evicted from the apartment she yelled on the other end of the line the landlord says you canel the lease how could you do this to me I let out a low chuckle me no Emily you did this to yourself she gasped unable to believe

what she was hearing you have nowhere to go do you I said mockingly Alex please I don't have a home I don't have money I don't have anything welcome to reality Emily silence then a muffled SOB Alex I can't live on the street not my problem but I'm your sister I thought you were my sister but you only saw me as an ATM silence again but this time she knew she had lost tell me Emily I added in an icy tone what luxury hotel will you be staying in tonight she didn't answer I thought you

worked hard for the life you deserve don't you she sobbed again don't call me again and I hung up then I blocked her number standing on the sidewalk I enjoyed the cool evening air for the first time in years I didn't have to carry anyone else's burdens Emily would finally learn what it meant to earn a living on her own but not with my money the sound of the rain hitting the windows of my apartment in Los Angeles filled the Silence of the night I sat on my small balcony with a half finished glass of

wine watching the city lights reflect on the wet pavement a year had passed a year since I blocked Emily's number a year since I left behind New York Fifth Avenue and the weight of being her damn personal bank my life had improved that was a fact I no longer had to calculate if I could afford a small Indulgence without my bank account suffering there were no more pleas from Emily no more desperate calls no more lies disguised as need and yet something inside me still wasn't at peace that something took shape when just an hour

ago I received an unexpected message unknown number Alex please I need to talk to you it's important I stared at the screen for several long minutes feeling a pressure in my chest I hadn't felt in months I knew it was her but I didn't reply couldn't still the message remained there glowing on the screen refusing to be ignored did I really want to ignore it 3 hours ago the night in Los Angeles had been calm and until an unknown number appeared on my phone screen Instinct kicked in I knew immediately I didn't respond but the

phone rang again and again by the fourth ring I picked up in frustration and slid my finger to answer what do you want silence then a nervous Breath Alex her voice sounded more fragile than I remembered don't hang up please I clenched my jaw my first instinct was to hang up block her move on with my life but something in her tone stopped me for the first time in years Emily didn't sound smug she didn't sound like the woman who thought she was Untouchable she sounded broken we have nothing to talk about yes we do

she exhaled in a whisper we've had it all this time but you never wanted to listen to me I let out a dry chuckle listen to you after you stole from me after you lied to my face for years I know that simple phrase threw me off you know I repeated frowning yes and I'm sorry silence I rested my elbow on the table massaging the bridge of my nose what was I supposed to do with that Emily I don't care I'm in New York in a horrible hostile in the Bronx I closed my eyes not

my problem I know again again that I know but not in a mocking tone not in a manipulative tone not in the tone I had come to know I just wanted to tell you that you were right a chill crawled down my neck right about what about everything silence she took a deep breath when you let me fall I thought you'd cave that you'd come back I didn't say anything but you didn't the wind slammed against my balcony and I realized I didn't know how to do anything without you she ran her tongue across her

tense lips I discovered what it really means to be alone Alex not having money not having real friends not having anywhere to go I squeezed my eyes shut tightly this was what I had always wanted right for her to understand for her to pay for what she did but then why did my chest feel so heavy I didn't call you to ask for money I didn't call you to get me out of here I swallowed hard then what for to ask you if there's a chance you'll forgive me a knot tightened in my throat I

don't know tell me when you know and and she hung up now on the balcony the message still glowed on the screen Alex please I need to talk to you it's important I closed my eyes it had been a year since I got my life back since I stopped being my sister's puppet and yet tonight sitting under the rain with a half finished glass of wine I realized that my story wasn't over I didn't know what to do did Emily deserve a second chance or can some betrayals simply never be forgiven given I took a

deep breath and slid my finger across the screen I didn't reply but I didn't delete the message either I looked at the reflection of the city lights in my glass and asked myself the question I couldn't answer what would you do