Rivalry: Infinite Buff

Chapter 33- The Reality

Ivan’s mother wasn’t nearly as angry as him. She cried, “Ivan! He is your uncle no matter what!”

"I’m pretty sure that he has forgotten that I’m his nephew and that the man lying on the bed is his older brother!  $1,000? He is better off saving it for his own coffin!”

Ann sat silently as if she finally drained the last bit of her strength.

Ivan, after exhaling deeply several times, walked toward Ann slowly. He realized what he just said broke her heart again. He couldn’t believe that he had said what he did, no one knew better than him the effort his mother put in to maintain the family relations. 

"Mom, I’m sorry. Trust me, we’ll get through this! Dad will get through this! How about you take a nap? It’s been a long day.” Ivan patted on his mom’s shoulder with one hand and pointed to the folding bed with another hand.

Ann wept her tears and nodded.

**

The next morning, Ivan’s dad was still unconscious when Claire and Leo arrived with fresh coffee and breakfast. The group ate in silence as they patiently waited for some change. 

After breakfast, other family members who lived in another city stopped by to check in. When Ann married Martin, they moved away from her hometown and over the years they hardly had a chance to visit. So, having her relatives around was a great comfort to Ann. Watching them interacting, Ivan felt relieved, he was still too young to handle it all on his own. However, the harmonious atmosphere didn't last long.

"What are you talking about?" Ann said with a trembling voice, pointing a finger at her older sister, Sophie.

Ivan also turned to this aunt, who he hardly knew.

"Ann! Who do you think I’m doing this for? Martin is lying in bed and Ivan is still in school! Who knows how much money you will need for Martin and there is a good chance that he will never wake up. Are you sure you want to live the rest of your life with that burden and astronomical debt?” Sophie pointed at the bed as if Martin were nothing more than a stranger. 

“Ann, I'm telling you, just let me introduced..." continued Sophie.

"Stop talking! Sophie, how could you say this in front of Martin? He can hear everything!” Ann couldn’t listen to what her sister was saying.

Ann's anger didn’t stop her family, they crowded around her so that they could persuade her to remarry a man she never met. It turned out that they didn’t come to see Martin or to support Ann but to arrange a blind date. 

Ivan clenched his fist, and he was thankful when his phone rang because it stopped him from saying or doing something he might regret. The caller ID showed it was his uncle, Phil. 

"Hi, Phil," said Ivan in a low tone.

"Hi, Ivan, how's your dad?" He was calling from somewhere extremely loud and so Ivan quickly explained his father’s situation. 

When he mentioned the insurance may not cover all expenses and there’s chance that Martin couldn’t wake up anymore, Phil finally said something, “Won’t wake up again? I didn’t think the situation was that serious. Ivan, listen to me, are you sure you want to put all of your money into this? What if the doctor is right? What if your dad doesn’t wake up? Ivan, you are still young and you will want to have your own family one day. All I am saying is to think about your future. I don’t want to see you living with that much pressure on you.”

Ivan had no idea why Phil was talking like he was, but he guessed that he still cared for his brother and nephew. However, Ivan’s hopes were crushed. 

"I know you must be worried about money. Let me know if you need anything! You do know that your grandfather left a farm to your father, right? I don’t think your mother and you will have time to manage it at this point in time. It is a waste to leave it rotting. How about you talk to your mom about transferring the land to me? I will give you $5,000 and then you will at least have enough money to hire someone from a care facility to help with your dad.”

Hearing the laughter and noise from the other end of the phone, Ivan felt as if he had gone from Heaven to Hell. He couldn’t imagine what kind of person would ignore his sick brother but only called about a farm. The most ironic thing was that Ivan knew the government had a plan to build a commercial building on the site of the farm. His uncle was offering $5,000 for a farm that would be worth millions, he truly was a businessman. 

"Phil, this is the last time I want to hear from you. I guess that you have forgotten who helped you to get where you are today. Let me remind you, it is all thanks to the man who is lying in bed. He gave his opportunity to go to school and chose to work so that you could continue your education. He is your oldest brother. I shouldn’t be the one telling you this, but make sure you listen, I am so ashamed of you! My dead grandfather would also be ashamed of you! Do not call us ever again!” Ivan yelled and hung up.

Looking at the relatives in the room were still there trying to persuade his mom to remarry, a wave of rage filled Ivan's body, he shouted, "Get out of here! Now!"

The room suddenly became eerily quiet. Everyone looked at Ivan with shocked expressions, including Leo and Claire. His mother lowered her head and wiped away her tears. 

"Ivan, you can tell your uncles and your aunts that I will never ever marry anyone else! Not ever for the rest of my life!”

"Mom, it’s okay. I will take care of you! I will protect you! No one can hurt you!"

Ivan put his arms around his mother. Ann was having a hard time comprehending that it was not her sick husband that was causing her to breakdown but her own family. 

Sophie was the first to speak, she scolded, “Ivan, do you know who you are talking to? Is this the way you treat your aunts and uncles? The man I have picked out for your mother has been waiting years for her! He…”

Ivan looked at his aunt, "Oh? Years? How romantic! Let me guess, he promised you something, am I right? Something valuable enough for you to come all the way here. What did he give you?"

“You…” Sophie couldn’t continue what she was saying.

“And you? What about you? Don’t tell me you are doing this for my mom.” Ivan turned to other people.

One of his uncles spoke up, “Ivan, do you even know what you are talking about? Of course, we did all of this for your mom. If you don’t apologize, I am telling you that we will not come back again. No one will help you or your mother!”

"You’re deaf or what? I think I’ve told you. Get out of here! Leave! Now!” Ivan roared.

Sophie realized that Ivan said was serious, she walked toward the door, “You will regret what you have said!”

The other relatives were following behind Sophie when Ivan shouted, “No I will not, not as long as I am alive!”

The ward was empty again and Ann whispered, "Ivan, you are too impulsive, they are your uncles and aunts after all."

Ivan walked over to his mom again, "From this moment on, they are nothing to me.”

"But they just promised they will lend us $2,000…and now..." Ann sighed deeply.

Leo jumped in, "$2,000? They’re not the least bit ashamed for what they did. Ann, you can trust Ivan. As for the money, we will figure it out."

"Yeah, mom, look, I have money." Ivan showed his phone to Ann.

Looking at the balance, Ann couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing…$79,000.