Paid for my sister’s wedding, and my mother sent me a message: «You don’t have to come to the celebration. Your stepfather thinks you’re ruining the family photo.» The next morning they received a notification that made everyone in the family FURIOUS…

15 years helping a family that saw him only as a wallet and an awkward misunderstanding. And now they were asking him not to come to his own sister’s wedding, a wedding he had paid for out of his own pocket. «I understand,» he said quietly, standing up.

«Send me the final guest list; the planner needs to know the exact numbers. So you’re not offended?» His mother asked hopefully. Alex looked at her with a long gaze.

«Don’t worry about my feelings. They never particularly interested you.» He headed for the exit.

Mary finally rose from the couch. «Alex, wait.» «What?» He stopped without turning.

«You understand we don’t want to offend you?» «It’s just. Formality. For perfect photos.»

Alex turned, looking his sister in the eyes. «I understand, Mary. I understand everything perfectly.»

Asterisk-asterisk-asterisk, the next morning, Alex met with the cold clarity of a man who had made an important decision. No trace of yesterday’s offense remained in his movements as he dialed the number of a lawyer, a college friend specializing in housing issues. «Andrew, I need a consultation,» said Alex, hearing the familiar voice.

«How quickly can I evict people living in my own apartment for free?» «Evicting relatives?» There was no judgment in the lawyer’s voice, only professional interest. «Yes. There’s a free use agreement.

Verbal agreement. Then it’s simple. You send an official notice terminating the agreement, give a reasonable time to vacate the premises, usually a month, and that’s it.

And if they refuse? Then through court. But with clean ownership documents, the case will be a win.» Alex nodded, though the interlocutor couldn’t see it.

«Prepare the documents. I want to send the notice the day after tomorrow.» «Okay.

And, Alex. Something serious happened?» Alex looked at his reflection in the window glass, a big man with a red beard that had become a symbol of his independence from others’ opinions. «It’s just time to set the record straight.»

After talking with the lawyer, Alex contacted the wedding planner and confirmed he would pay all remaining bills within the day. Then he called the restaurant and checked if all details were discussed. «And will you be attending the event yourself?» The administrator asked him.

«We need to know who the contact person will be.» «No, I won’t be there,» replied Alex. «Contact the bride or her mother.»

Throughout the day, the phone was ringing off the hook from Mary’s calls. Alex ignored them, immersing himself in work. Only in the evening did he read her message.

«Alex, I didn’t mean to offend you, please,» — replied Victor, «just worried about the impression, you know, his career depends on these people, Alex. We can discuss everything in the last message,» — Alex replied briefly. «Everything has already been discussed.

Don’t worry, the wedding will go as planned.» In the evening, sitting in his rented apartment with a glass of whiskey, Alex scrolled through old family photos, those times when they were still a real family. Father, mother, little Mary, and himself, a teenager, still without a beard, but already tall and large.

In all the shots, his father hugged him by the shoulders with pride. «What would you say now, Dad?» — thought Alex, peering into his father’s smiling face. The next day, he went to Andrew’s office to sign the documents.

The official eviction notice was drafted in dry legal language, without emotions, just facts and deadlines. «I recommend sending it by certified mail with return receipt,» said Andrew, handing over the folder with documents. «And duplicate it electronically to avoid arguments about non-receipt.»

«Thanks,» nodded Alex. — Are you sure you want to do this? Alex pondered for a moment. «You know, all my life I’ve tried to be a good son…