1. The Black Sheep

Chapter One

As the glowing sun began to set, a young man named Elijah stood nervously at the doorstep of his step brother’s luxurious apartment.

Elijah was dressed in tattered clothes, his hair unkempt, and his eyes bloodshot from crying. In his hand was a crumpled piece of paper, the hospital bill that he had received earlier that day.

Elijah’s mother had fallen ill, and the hospital had demanded immediate payment before they would provide any treatment or even give them a bed space in the clustered hospital ward. Elijah had already used up all his savings, and he had no one else to turn to but his younger step-brother, Henry.

This is so embarrassing and humiliating, begging my younger step brother who treats me like trash for money is something really insulting but I have no choice , my mother is sick and I don’t have any money left to continue with her cancer treatment and chemotherapy “ Elijah whispered to himself.

Elijah is the black sheep of the family even though he is the most hardworking , intelligent , respectful and legitimate first child. He was hated and rejected bitterly by his father after meeting his new mistress. It looks like the mistress has bewitched his father because he does everything she says and completely forgot and abandoned his legal wife and her son Elijah , treating them like trash.

The mistress has a son whose name is Henry ,he is 3 years younger than Elijah and is treated like a pampered Prince and he is spoiled with money and luxurious lifestyle by their father because of his evil mother’s influence.

Elijah took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The sound echoed through the empty halls of the house, and he waited anxiously for someone to answer.

It was a hot and humid day, and Elijah wiped the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his tattered shirt. He looked down at the empty wallet in his hand and sighed.

Elijah decided to use this chance to call his girlfriend Stella with his cell phone but her number was not reachable, he noticed that ever since he told her he is broke and his mother needs money for an emergency treatment ,Stella suspiciously stopped picking his calls and she also doesn’t reply his messages anymore.

“Yes,who are you and how may we help you?” The elderly woman who was wearing a maid’s uniform asked Elijah when she opened the door.

“I am here to see my Henry, I am Elijah and he is my younger step brother “ Elijah answered uncomfortably.

“Oh okay but Mr Henry is busy right now with a female guest and he can’t attend to any visitors till he is done with his private business” she answered but Elijah gently grabbed her hands before she could lock the door.

“It’s an emergency, I need to see him . My mother is dying and I have to see him, take a look at the hospital card and billing receipt if you don’t believe me .” Elijah begged , showing her the paper and her eyes were suddenly filled with pity when she saw the critical diagnosis and the large amount of money needed for treatment.

“You can come in and wait for him in the living room before he finishes but please be quiet “ she said politely and Elijah thanked her as she ushered him into the luxurious apartment which looks 100 times bigger than where Elijah and his mom stays.

“Sit down, I will inform you of his presence when he is done with his private business “ she said before disappearing.

Elijah was sitting on the sofa in the living room when he suddenly began to hear clapping sounds and the loud sounds of a woman moaning from a room that is towards the left side of the living room.

“Mmmmmmm, please more ….yes , yes harder ! That’s right more !Mmmmm '' The girl was shamelessly moaning on top of her voice and Elijah felt really sad and insulted that his step brother couldn’t attend to his medical emergency needs just because he was getting laid.

The sounds were getting too loud and embarrassing that Elijah had to stand up and start admiring the living room so that it would keep his mind busy.

Elijah stood in the center of the living room, taking in the impressive sight before him. The room was large and open, with high ceilings and large windows that flooded the space with natural light. The walls were painted a warm, masculine gray that contrasted beautifully with the dark hardwood floors.

The furniture was sleek and modern, crafted from the finest materials and designed with an eye for both style and comfort. A large sectional sofa dominated one side of the room, upholstered in a rich, buttery leather that begged to be touched. A matching armchair sat in the corner, a plush throw draped over the back.

A massive flat-screen television hung on the wall, flanked by a pair of sleek, black speakers. Elijah could imagine the sound quality that must come from them, and felt a pang of jealousy.

The coffee table was a work of art in its own right, made from a single slab of polished marble that gleamed in the light. It was decorated with a few carefully chosen items - a crystal ashtray, a collection of expensive-looking cigars, and a set of coasters made from hammered copper.

On the other side of the room, a fully stocked bar took center stage. It was made of rich, dark wood, and stocked with every type of liquor imaginable. A set of crystal glasses glimmered on a silver tray next to the bottles, and a collection of bar tools was arranged neatly in a wooden caddy.

Elijah couldn't help but admire the attention to detail that had gone into the room's design. The furnishings and decorations all complemented each other perfectly, creating a space that was both functional and stylish.

As he waited for his step-brother to emerge from the bedroom, Elijah found himself drawn to the large windows that looked out over the city skyline. The view was breathtaking, and he could see why his step-brother had chosen this particular apartment.

He turned his attention back to the room, admiring the various works of art that were scattered throughout. A large abstract painting dominated one wall, its bold colors and intricate brushstrokes drawing the eye. On another wall, a collection of black and white photographs were arranged in a neat grid, each one depicting a different cityscape.

Elijah felt a twinge of envy as he looked around the room. He couldn't help but imagine what it must be like to live in such luxury, to be surrounded by such beauty every day especially when he knows that all these things were supposed to be his own because he is the true son.

But as he continued to take in the room's impressive features, he began to notice something else. Despite the undeniable luxury of the space, it lacked a certain warmth and personality. It felt more like a showroom than a home, with everything in its place and nothing out of order.

He wondered if his step-brother ever truly relaxed in this space, or if it was merely a place to entertain guests and impress business associates.

As if on cue, his step-brother emerged from the bedroom, looking disheveled in his designer clothes.

“What are you doing here Elijah and who asked you to sit down on my couch when you look like a beggar?” Henry asked rudely while he adjusted his belt that was hanging on his trouser.

Elijah closed his eyes to calm himself down and endure the insult and disrespect for his sick mother’s sake.

“I need your help , my mother is seriously sick and the test results shows she has cancer …I need your help , the money for treatment is 2 million dollars because her case is critical and I don’t have the money” Elijah pleaded but Henry hissed.

“Are you not her son? Why are you telling me this when it’s none of my business?” Henry said arrogantly , he wasn’t willing to give Elijah anything even though he has more than 50 million dollars in his bank account.

“Please I need your help, even if it’s just 500,000 dollars to start the treatment before I find a way to get the rest of the money and complete the payment ” Elijah pleaded almost in tears

“Didn’t father give you any money , what about your monthly allowance ?” Henry asked looking at Elijah with disgust in his face

“You know he only gives me 500 dollars monthly and it won’t be enough to even pay for a single drug “ Elijah complained , he almost went on his knees because of how desperate he was.

“Sorry, I can’t help you besides it won’t make any difference if she stays alive or not…” Henry said nonchalantly and Elijah felt like punching him to the face but he doesn’t want to cause any trouble that will land him in the prison when his mother is critically sick, weak and vulnerable.

Before Elijah could think of a way to convince Henry to give him the money, he hears a young woman’s voice that sounds really familiar coming out of the room that Henry just came out of.

“Hey baby , where is the Dior designer bag you promise to get for me if I let you have your way with me?” The lady asked while coming out of the room but she stopped midway looking shocked when she saw Elijah standing in Henry’s living room, she never expected him there and at that very moment her heart started beating fast because she knew that she had been caught red handed cheating.

“What are you doing here Stella? Why are you coming out of the same bed room with my step brother?” Elijah's voice quivered as he asked his girlfriend Stella with a broken heart.