My mother called me selfish yesterday because I refused to give my younger brother $15,000. I've been paying her rent, groceries, electricity, and medical bills for six years. My brother is 29. He hasn't kept a job for longer than three months. Last week, he told Mom he wanted to start a business. Mom: "Your brother needs your help." Me: "How much?" Mom: "$15,000." Me: "Mom, I don't have that kind of money to give away." Mom: "But you just bought a new car." Me: "With money I've been saving for four years." She sighed. Mom: "You know your brother hasn't been as fortunate as you." I was quiet. Then she said something that hurt. "Sometimes I wonder why God gave you so much when you don't know how to share." I ended the call. Yesterday afternoon, my aunt called. Aunt: "Why is your mother telling everyone you've abandoned her?" Me: "WHAT?" Aunt: "She said you stopped supporting her because she asked you to help your brother." I explained everything. My aunt went silent. Then she asked: "Wait. You've been paying your mother's rent?" Me: "For six years." Aunt: "How much?" Me: "$1,200 every month." She started laughing. Not a happy laugh. Me: "What's funny?" Aunt: "Sweetheart, your mother doesn't pay rent." I froze. Me: "What?" Aunt: "Your grandfather left her that house when he died. She's owned it for almost twenty years." I couldn't speak. Me: "Then where has my money been going?" My aunt sighed. "Call your brother." I called him immediately. Me: "Have you been collecting money from Mom?" Brother: "What money?" Me: "The money I've been sending for her rent." He laughed. Brother: "You mean my mortgage?" My stomach dropped. Me: "YOUR WHAT?" Brother: "Mom's been helping me pay for my house since I bought it." Me: "You bought a house?" Brother: "Three years ago." I sat down. For three years, I'd been working overtime, skipping holidays, and delaying my own plans because I thought our mother was struggling. Meanwhile, my brother owned a house. Me: "Does Mom know you've been using my money?" He went quiet. Then he said: "Look, don't make this a big deal. Mom said you earn more than both of us." I hung up. Ten minutes later, my mother called. Mom: "Your brother says you're causing trouble." Me: "You've been lying to me for six years." Mom: "I did what any mother would do to help her child." Me: "AM I NOT YOUR CHILD TOO?" She went silent. Then she said: "You're the successful one. He needs us more." I told her I wouldn't be sending another dollar. She started crying. "After everything I sacrificed raising you, this is how you repay me?" I almost apologized. Until my aunt sent me a photograph. It was my brother standing outside his new house. Beside him was my mother, holding a sign that read: "Congratulations on your SECOND investment property!" Second. I'd been struggling to save for my first home. My brother apparently owned two. Then my aunt sent one final message: "Before you confront your mother again, ask her whose name is on the deed to the house she's living in." Would you cut them off financially or demand every dollar back?