The Empty Refrigerator Chapter 2: The Pattersons

Five years ago, Bethy had complained that the neighbourhood was run-down and the neighbors were too noisy back when I had just started working at sea.

She insisted that I use the cash I'd gotten for our wedding to rent her a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment in the upscale residential complex next door, saying that she had plenty of friends over there and wouldn't get bored.

At that time, I'd foolishly given in and agreed to her demands.

Bayville wasn't far away. So, it only took me 10 minutes to arrive there by taxi.

As I sat in the car, I couldn't help but tighten my grip around my phone, my mind recalling how pale Sophia's face had been. I couldn't help but be reminded of that half jar of ketchup, and those bug-infested pasta.

'I gave her 20,000 every month, but she only gave my wife 100! Where did the other 19,000 go?' I wondered.

Soon, the taxi stopped at the entrance to Bayville. I handed the driver some money and rushed inside.

I could see the lights streaming through the window on the second floor and heard laughter coming from it even though I was still downstairs.

I didn't take the elevator. Instead, I impatiently bounded up the stairs, taking several steps at a time.

The moment I rounded the corner onto the second floor, I saw that the security door hadn't been fully shut. I was just about to knock to announce myself, but the voices coming from inside made me freeze.

"Oh my, Aunt Bethy, you're so generous! This is the first time I've ever had a lobster!" It was the voice of a young woman, full of the smug satisfaction of someone who had gotten a bargain and still wanted to show off her good fortune.

I recognized that voice immediately. It was Selina Patterson, Joseph Patterson's daughter. She used to live next to us in the old neighborhood.

Selina was known for being lazy and gluttonous. She was also infamous for spending all day fantasizing about marrying into a wealthy family.

Then, I heard my mother's familiar booming voice.

There was none of the weary bitterness she usually had when she came whining to me about money. Instead, her voice was overflowing with warmth.

"You should eat more if you like it! I'll buy more for you tomorrow if it isn't enough. All I want is for you and your father to be happy."

"Bethy, you sure know how to treat people right." Joseph's hoarse voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm. Then, he asked, "The money from that son of yours came in this month, right?"

"It did!" Bethy answered eagerly. "19 grand and not a cent missing. I've transferred it to your account this morning!"

The blood in my body seemed to freeze in my veins right then and there.

My wife was sitting in our dreary apartment, forced to eat bug-infested pasta, and unable to afford a prenatal checkup. Meanwhile, my mother was using the money I had risked my life to earn to treat her neighbors and had even transferred my salary to them!

I kicked open the half-closed security door with a loud bang, causing the door to slam so violently into the wall that the entire floor started shaking..

The apartment was still warm from the heating, and the crystal chandelier cast a dazzling light over the dining table. A bright red lobster sat in the center. There was even a king crab and two bottles of wine right next to it.

As if that weren't enough, I saw crab shells piled high in front of all three of them.

Bethy dropped her utensils onto the table with a clatter, and her face instantly turned stark white.

"L-Logan? I thought you were supposed to come ashore next week?"

I ignored her as I strode over and snatched up the phone she had left on the table.

"What are you doing?" She lunged forward to grab it back.

I shoved her away and opened her transaction history.

"September 15th. Transfer to Selina: 38,000. Note: Handbag."

"October 1st. Transfer to Joseph: 50,000. Note: Haiwai trip."

"November 2nd. Transfer to Selina: 25,000. Note: Cosmetic procedures."

"AT 10 a.m., a transfer to Joseph: 19,000."

I read them out one by one, my voice growing colder with every line.

I read through five years worth of transactions and noted that it came to a total of 1.2 million. All my hard earned money, every single goddamned penny, had gone into the Patterson family's pockets.

"How wonderful." I slammed her phone down onto the table. "Does the food bought with the money I risked my life to earn taste good?"