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Hello everyone. Before we begin today\u2019s video, I need your help. We\u2019ve noticed that the channel is losing traction, and subscribing is one of the best ways you can help us. It\u2019s quick, free, and allows us to continue bringing you great content. Your support means everything. Let us keep this channel growing collectively. Thank you very much.<\/p>\n
Now let\u2019s begin the video.<\/p>\n
Okay, people. This is going to be long, but I need to get this off my chest.<\/p>\n
The recent events in my family have been extremely upsetting, but in order to understand why, you must first understand the context.<\/p>\n
I am 33 years old, and I grew up with my younger brother Alex, who is 30 years old, in what appeared to be a normal household from the outside. But gosh, the dynamics in our house were severely off.<\/p>\n
See, Alex was a miraculous baby. Mom had a difficult pregnancy with him, and he was quite sick for the first couple of years. In and out of the hospital. Breathing problems. Infections. The entire thing.<\/p>\n
I recall sitting in hospital waiting rooms a lot as a child. I understand that having a sick child is scary, but even when Alex recovered, my parents, particularly my father, continued to treat him as if he were made of glass.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, I was expected to be the perfect, responsible elder brother who should know better about everything.<\/p>\n
Alex could miss school. He needed to recuperate.<\/p>\n
Alex failed a class. He has been through a lot.<\/p>\n
Alex broke something expensive. Don\u2019t be upset with your brother.<\/p>\n
What about me?<\/p>\n
From the age of seven, I was expected to obtain excellent grades, never say anything back, work around the house, and overall act like a small grown-up.<\/p>\n
The double standard was ridiculous.<\/p>\n
I recall one incident in high school when I received detention for being late to class and was grounded for a week. That same month, Alex was caught skipping school to hang out with his friends at the mall, and my parents had just spoken with him about it.<\/p>\n
When I was 15, I started working with my father in his electrical business business, not because I was particularly interested in becoming an electrician, but because it was the only way I could obtain his attention or acceptance.<\/p>\n
And you know what? I actually grew better at it. Very good.<\/p>\n
I began learning everything I could about electrical work, staying late to watch Dad handle the difficult tasks, reading manuals, and watching YouTube videos to learn more.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Alex remained\u2026 well, Alex.<\/p>\n
He was a smart kid when he wanted to be, but he lacked work ethic. He could enchant everyone with his sad little ill kid routine, which he never outgrew. He attempted college for about two semesters, got out because it was too stressful, began an online business selling drop ship trash that flopped, and then tried to be a day trader, losing a lot of his father\u2019s money.<\/p>\n
But nevertheless, I was still the one receiving lectures about supporting your brother and putting family first.<\/p>\n
I won\u2019t lie. It made me feel a strange mix of hatred and responsibility. I liked my brother because he was my brother, but I couldn\u2019t tolerate being around him most of the time.<\/p>\n
We were complete opposites.<\/p>\n
I was the serious, hardworking person who valued keeping my word and doing things well.<\/p>\n
He was the fun one who never faced repercussions and believed regulations were for other people.<\/p>\n
Dad\u2019s business was dependable. Basic home electrical work. Some small commercial work. Nothing special, but it paid the bills.<\/p>\n
I saw potential in it.<\/p>\n
However, when I wasn\u2019t working, I was studying about new technologies, smart home systems, and security installations. Dad was old school, preferring to do things the way he\u2019d always done them, but I insisted on modernizing and taking on larger projects.<\/p>\n
The strange thing is that even when I brought in new clients or completed large projects flawlessly, Dad would find a way to credit Alex.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour brother\u2019s charm really helps with customer relations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe answered phones sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex has such good ideas for the business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe suggested we get a website in 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n
I moved out as soon as I could afford it. I moved into my own place around 20 minutes from my parents\u2019 house. Close enough to help with the business, but far enough away to have some space.<\/p>\n
I felt I was doing fairly well. You know. I had my own place, made decent money, and was learning new skills. I was even considering getting my master electrician license and even having my own business someday.<\/p>\n
Sophie, a 29-year-old female, and I met around 6 years ago while working on a large rewiring job at these upscale flats downtown. She was the property manager there.<\/p>\n
The first time I saw her, she was arguing with some HVAC technicians about their substandard work, getting into the technical specifics of why their installation was not up to code.<\/p>\n
I recall thinking, damn. She actually knows her stuff.<\/p>\n
Most property managers I\u2019d dealt with wanted things done cheaply and quickly, but Sophie was different. She had read through all of the electrical codes and knew exactly what she wanted done.<\/p>\n
For the first few weeks on the job, she kept coming around to inspect our work. Not in an irritating way, but because she truly wanted to know what we were doing and why.<\/p>\n
I began taking lunch breaks when I realized she\u2019d be making her rounds. We\u2019d discuss the project first, then about other topics.<\/p>\n
She told me about growing up with her father, a general constructor, and how she learned everything about construction by helping him on assignments. I informed her about my desire to update my father\u2019s business and potentially grow into more commercial work.<\/p>\n
She was simple to chat to, right? I could rave about my family turmoil and she understood. Her brother was also the beloved kid, a hot shot lawyer who could do no wrong.<\/p>\n
We joked about forming a support group for responsible siblings.<\/p>\n
After we finished the apartment job, I assumed that was it, but about a week later she called the office to report an urgent electrical problem in her own apartment. Dad asked me to check it out.<\/p>\n
It turned out there was nothing wrong.<\/p>\n
She just wanted to see me again.<\/p>\n
I have to say that was a really nice maneuver.<\/p>\n
We began dating after that.<\/p>\n
Sophie was different from the other girls I dated. She did not play games or expect me to read her mind. If something bothered her, she would simply express it. If she was happy, you would know.<\/p>\n
She also showed genuine interest in my job. She\u2019d help me study for my life lure examinations, and eventually started assisting with the business side of things.<\/p>\n
Within a year, she was effectively running our business, having implemented a new scheduling system, upgraded our invoicing, and prepared actual contracts in place of the handwritten quotes we used to use.<\/p>\n
Dad was initially unhappy about it. He preferred doing everything on paper, but he had to acknowledge the firm was functioning more smoothly.<\/p>\n
I finally felt like I was creating something real.<\/p>\n
We moved in together after two years and started talking about marriage and even having children someday. Sophie would joke about our future children becoming electricians and carrying on the family business.<\/p>\n
Man, I thought I had everything sorted out.<\/p>\n
The weird part is that my family liked her at first. Mom was continually calling us over for supper, asking Sophie for assistance with computer issues or soliciting her advice on house renovations.<\/p>\n
Even Dad warmed up to her once he realized how much she was contributing to the company\u2019s growth. We were gaining larger contracts, doing more commercial work, and establishing a solid reputation in the area.<\/p>\n
Sophie got along well with Alex too.<\/p>\n
When I became irritated with his latest unsuccessful attempt, she would defend him, telling me that I should try to understand his point of view better, how growing up unwell might have influenced him.<\/p>\n
Looking back, I should have recognized that as a red flag, but you know how it is. When you really trust someone, you do not want to see the signs.<\/p>\n
We became engaged after four years together. Nothing spectacular. I proposed at home after we finished the massive project we had been working on together.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d been helping me plan this large large electrical renovation for a nearby hospital, staying up late with me to go over blueprints and deal with contractors. It just felt right. You know. As if we were true partners in everything.<\/p>\n
Around a year ago, things began to change.<\/p>\n
Alex had spent another chunk of Dad\u2019s money trying to launch a cryptocurrency trading business, returned home bankrupt, and Dad offered him a job in our office. Just the basics. Answering phones, filing papers, and organizing appointments.<\/p>\n
It should have been simple enough, but Alex always managed to grew it up.<\/p>\n
Sophie began spending more time at my parents\u2019 place assisting Mom with wedding preparations and such. She stated it was easier to focus on company documents there while Alex was learning the procedures.<\/p>\n
I was working most days, so it made sense at the time.<\/p>\n
Following that, everything began to spiral out of control.<\/p>\n
I began to notice subtle changes about 8 months before everything blew up. Nothing big at first. Just minor details that didn\u2019t line up.<\/p>\n
Sophie was spending more time at my parents\u2019 house helping with business matters. She explained that she was educating Alex on our new billing system and assisting Mom with wedding plans. Makes sense, right?<\/p>\n
I was out on jobs most days, working my tail off to save money for our future. We planned the entire wedding and talked about buying a property. I wanted to do things correctly.<\/p>\n
But then other things started happening.<\/p>\n
Sophie changed her phone\u2019s password. She has never actually hidden her phone before. We knew each other\u2019s passwords. It was no big problem, but she started acting strangely about it. She explained that her banking app required her to update security or something.<\/p>\n
Whatever.<\/p>\n
I absolutely trusted her, so I didn\u2019t think much of it.<\/p>\n
Then Alex began acting differently. He began wearing cologne at work. Dude used to turn up half the time in the same clothes as yesterday. He got all these new clothing and started showing up to work on time, which was unusual for him.<\/p>\n
He was also strangely polite to me, volunteering to stay late at the office and expressing a strong desire to study business.<\/p>\n
Sophie was talking about him differently.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex is really getting good at handling the scheduling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour brother\u2019s actually pretty smart when he applies himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
She\u2019d get angry whenever I complained about him messing something up, and even started taking his side in family disputes.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere in the office also becomes strange.<\/p>\n
Janet, our receptionist for the past 15 years, was like a second mother to us. She began giving me these looks while Sophie and Alex were working late together, but whenever I asked what was going on, she would simply say, \u201cNothing,\u201d and change the subject.<\/p>\n
Once, I returned to the office early from a task because we had run out of materials. Sophie and Alex were in the break room, giggling over something. There was nothing clearly wrong, but they both jumped as if they had been caught doing something when I stepped in.<\/p>\n
Sophie mentioned that they were just going over some invoices.<\/p>\n
Around 7:00 p.m., right.<\/p>\n
Sophie seemed to talk less about our future. She used to be quite enthused about wedding planning, looking at houses online, and discussing what kind of family we\u2019d have. Then she became quiet about it all.<\/p>\n
She claimed she was just anxious about work.<\/p>\n
The true red flag I missed was when she stopped visiting job sites to check on projects. It used to be our thing. She\u2019d bring lunch. We\u2019d go over plans and solve problems together.<\/p>\n
But she was suddenly too busy at work with Alex.<\/p>\n
We had a large family meal approximately 6 months ago. Sophie was acting funny all night, barely speaking and constantly checking her phone. Alex kept attempting to make inside jokes with her. Sophie snorted with laughter when he mentioned that insane person at work.<\/p>\n
But when I questioned what was hilarious, they both said, \u201cYou had to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n
After dinner, on the way home, I finally brought it up.<\/p>\n
Sophie remained glancing at her phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou okay? You seemed off tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust tired. Work\u2019s been crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. It seems like you and Alex are getting along better these days.\u201d<\/p>\n
She tightened up, but tried to keep it casual.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not as bad as you always say. He\u2019s actually pretty funny when you get to know him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFunny enough to make you ignore everyone else at dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing. Just that you\u2019ve been different lately. Distant. Always on your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
She became defensive quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so I\u2019m not allowed to have my own conversations now? Everything has to be about you?\u201d<\/p>\n
That threw me off guard. Sophie never spoke to me like that before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what I said. Just feels like something\u2019s changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe you\u2019re just paranoid. I\u2019m tired of you always complaining about Alex. He\u2019s trying his best.\u201d<\/p>\n
I recall getting a horrible feeling in my stomach, like if something was seriously wrong, but I couldn\u2019t put my finger on it.<\/p>\n
She had never defended Alex like that before.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince when are you Team Alex?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSince I actually got to know him instead of just listening to you bashing him all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
We drove the rest of the way silently.<\/p>\n
Man, all the symptoms were there. The protective attitude. The phone. The inside jokes. The way she suddenly thought Alex was fantastic.<\/p>\n
But you never want to believe someone you absolutely trust could do that to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hello everyone. Before we begin today\u2019s video, I need your help. We\u2019ve noticed that the channel is losing traction, and subscribing is one of the best ways you can help … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12613"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12613\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13444,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12613\/revisions\/13444"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happyreadmystory.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}