In their understanding of the world, I existed to provide, and they existed to receive, and my objection to being drained was not a grievance but a betrayal — an ungrateful son turning on the family that had, in their telling, only ever loved him.

Kiran sold his warehouse the way a man pays a fine for a crime he does not believe is a crime: with fury at being caught, and no trace of remorse for the act.

I had wanted, some small part of me, an apology.

Watching them, I let that want go.

People who take your whole life and feel entitled to it do not apologize, because to apologize would require them to see you as a person they had wronged rather than a resource that had stopped cooperating.

I would get my money back.