The morning light gently poured through the windows, bathing the room where Ethan and his family were gathered around the breakfast table.
His parents quietly enjoyed breakfast while his siblings, Jacob and Lily, seemed barely awake. Yet, Ethan was wide awake, his mind buzzing with thoughts about the day ahead.
Today was the day when everything would change.
He glanced at his parents—his father, Aaron, was looking through job listings in the newspaper. Although this task had become less pressing lately, he persisted. His mother, Elise, moved around with effortless grace, always busy.
His younger siblings, Jacob and Lily, were just starting their journeys, their futures bright and full of possibilities.
Breaking the morning’s quiet, Ethan spoke up, his voice steady and serious, “Mom and Dad, I need to talk to you both.”
“Actually, I need to talk to all of you,” he said, capturing his family’s attention with the gravity in his tone.
“I want you both to leave work today,” Ethan announced.
Before his parents could even question him, he continued, “Actually, I think it’s time you started thinking about quitting your jobs. And Jacob, Lily—you will transfer to different schools soon.”
An uncomfortable silence took over the room. Ethan’s parents looked at each other, visibly confused, while Jacob stopped eating, his spoon hanging in the air.
Lily and Jacob turned their attention to Ethan, their eyes wide with curiosity and surprise.
“Excuse me?” Aaron, Ethan’s father, leaned in, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. “Take a day off? Quit our jobs? And why on earth would Jacob and Lily need to change schools?”
Just as shocked, Jacob said, “Hold on, you’re serious, Ethan? Are we switching schools? What’s happening?”
“You’ve been acting so different lately, Ethan. What’s going on with you?” Lily added, her voice filled with worry.
“Yeah. You told us to be extra careful. Are you hiding from someone?” Jacob chimed in, his curiosity piqued.
Ethan inhaled deeply, fully aware that his following words would shock everyone, but he knew he had to be upfront.
“I bought a house… for us,” he stated plainly.
One could literally feel the disbelief hanging in the air. Elise froze, a dish towel still in her grip, while Aaron’s eyes went wide with astonishment.
Jacob and Lily exchanged glances, then turned back to Ethan, seemingly expecting him to burst into laughter and reveal it was all a joke.
But Ethan remained serious.
“What… what do you mean you bought a house?” Elise’s voice quivered as she spoke. “You’ve just started your company; if I’m not mistaken, you haven’t finished that project with your faculty yet.”
Aaron remained silent, evidently waiting for Ethan to provide some sort of explanation.
“I mean exactly that. I bought a house,” Ethan said again, his tone calm. He pulled out his phone to show them pictures.
“I bought us a house in the Crescent Ridge Estate, one of the city’s most secure and luxurious neighborhoods.”
“Crescent Ridge?” Jacob’s reaction was of sheer surprise. He had only heard tales of this high-end residential area.
It wasn’t just Jacob who was shocked. Aaron and Elise were even more astonished.
Looking at the pictures, his parents were in awe and confusion. The house looked incredible, with its expansive lawns, modern design, bright white walls, and large windows that filled the space with sunlight.
The details about the estate’s security were impressive, too: trained guards, security gates, cameras, and regular patrols.
“Crescent Ridge?” Aaron finally spoke up, his voice thick with amazement. “That’s one of the priciest places to live in Novan City. How did you manage…?”
Ethan responded with a smile, keeping the mood light. “Let’s just say I’ve put in a lot of hard work, and luck was on my side. Everything’s arranged. We’re moving in today.”
“You’re serious?” While Jacob was still trying to wrap his head around it, excitement began to sparkle in his eyes.
Ethan simply nodded. “Yes, and I’m also enrolling both of you in Crescent International Academy, the city’s top private school.”
Jacob’s mouth fell open, his words momentarily lost. He had dreamed of attending Crescent International for as long as he could remember.
It was the kind of school only the wealthiest families could afford—known for its cutting-edge facilities, renowned teachers, and a track record of sending students to the top universities in the world.
But it had always seemed like a far-off fantasy.
“Crescent International? You’re going to get me into Crescent International?” Jacob’s voice barely rose above a whisper.
Ethan smiled, seeing the disbelief in his brother’s eyes. “Yeah, I did. And Lily, too. I’ve handled the documents.”
Jacob fell silent, stunned into speechlessness. Lily, although younger, seemed equally excited, her face lighting up as the realization dawned.
Aaron cleared his throat, still trying to wrap his head around his son’s words. “Ethan, this is… this is unbelievable. We appreciate what you’re doing, but this kind of decision… I mean, you should’ve talked to us first.”
“I know, Dad,” Ethan said, his tone softening. “But this is something I’ve wanted to do for all of us.”
He looked at his family and said, “It’s not just about moving into a big house or transferring schools. It’s about security, comfort, and a better life. You and Mom have worked so hard for so long. It’s time for you to rest.”
Aaron and Elise exchanged a glance. They were still processing the gravity of Ethan’s words, but the more they thought about it, the more they realized how much things had changed for their son in such a short time.
“I still have my doubts. Where do you get the money?” Aaron inquired.
Ethan took a deep breath. This was the moment he had to stretch the truth. “David was really impressed with what I can do. He even used his connections to secure us a spot and took care of everything.”
“I know you’re talented, but… Don’t you think that’s too much for him to do?” Aaron questioned further.
“Everyone, I’m sorry if this comes off as bragging, but… David sees me as a valuable part of our company,” Ethan shared.
His family was well aware of Ethan’s intelligence. He had been the top student in his school every year. He had even received a scholarship offer to study medicine abroad.
Despite this, he chose to pursue Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence at the country’s leading university. He had always been more drawn to numbers and technology.
“I see…” Aaron responded, nodding in understanding.
Ethan was relieved to see his family, especially his parents, seemed convinced by his explanation.
“Elise,” Aaron whispered, turning to his wife with hesitation. Do you think we should…”
Elise nervously bit her lip, her gaze locked on the pictures of the house. “I… I’m not sure. This all feels so sudden.”
Ethan, sensing their uncertainty, offered a soothing suggestion. “There’s no need to hurry,” he said. “Why don’t we try living there for a bit? The house is ready to move into; just bring some clothes for now.”
He then glanced at Lily and Jacob, noticing their bewildered expressions as they stared at the photos.
Gently ruffling Lily’s hair and giving Jacob a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Ethan proposed, “And if you two want to pick out some new clothes, I’m all for it.”
“Really?!” they exclaimed together, their surprise turning into smiles at Ethan’s confirmation.
Ethan, smiling broadly, reassured his parents, “I’ve taken care of the moving details. A company will come in a few days to help with the essentials. Once we’re at the house, we can figure out what we need and don’t.”
Unable to hold back his excitement, Jacob blurted out, “When do we get to see the house?”
With a grin, Ethan replied, “Actually, we can go now. I’ve arranged for a car; it should be here any minute. Let’s grab what we need.”
Spurred by Ethan’s words, Jacob and Lily rushed to gather their things, followed by Aaron and Elise.
