Quinir learned that Poverty is not just a condition.
It was the a label people used to decide what kind of respect they can give you and where you stand in the society.
And for all his life the he has been treated poorly.
He is sixteen now, old enough to understand all the insults he couldn't before, and quiet enough to understand that he can't fight back his bullies nor talk back to his relatives.
The House was small. Not so poor in the dramatic way , no broken walls or leaking ceilings.
It was just cramped.
Like the house itself has been made to make everyone bump into each other and argue.
As soon as Quinir came back home and changed his shoes to come inside the home , he was bumped into his shoulder by his Older Cousin, Nova.
"Eww, Now my shoulder's got infected by this poor guy's disease." Nova scoffed while patting off nonexistent dust from his shoulder.
Quinir internally rolled his eyes while thinking, 'there he goes again'.
The living room has an old sofa and a wooden table with the scratches that never went away and the tv which only worked when you hit the side of it.
Quinir's saw his Aunt and Uncle sitting on the sofa, discussing something with his parents.
Quinir wondered what they came for because, in his family kindness was treated as a luxury and money was treated like a proof that you deserved oxygen.
He learned it when he was small enough to hide behind his mother's leg and still got pulled out by other like a stain on the family's name to be inspected for.
Quinir's Aunt , Vanessa threw an disgusted glance at him saying, "Look at him, This is what happens when blood mixes with failure."
Quinir saw his mother signaling with her eyes to just let it go.
But to be honest , he doesn't even need that , he got used to it cause he has always been doing that ever since he can remember.
Quinir's father sat at the narrow table, staring at the cup of cooling tea like it might offer answers. his shoulders were rigid. his jaw tight . He looked like a man trying to keep himself from snapping in half.
In the living room, Quinir's paternal relatives took the seats without a care , as if they were reclaiming territory.
On the other side, his maternal relatives leaned against the walls like inspectors evaluating a failed project.
Two families.
Two directions of judgement. Quinir adjusted the strap of his school bag and stepped inside into the living room.
Quinir's mother took his bag from him and set it aside,"Go and get freshen up." she told him while patting his back.
Vanessa scoffed at them and said, "let him be here, he need to be here for this matter."
Quinir's mother, Bella froze.
"Me and Rick will take care of this, there is no need for you guys to drag Quinir into this.He needs to go inside and get freshen up."
Edrin ,Vanessa's husband and Quinir's paternal uncle chuckled.
"He is not a kid, he needs to know what's happening in his family. And since this matter has something to do with him let him stay."
His father's hand clenched around the tea cup.He didn't take even a sip from it as it is filled up to the brim.He just held it like it was the only thing keeping him from shaking.
Vanessa leaned forward."You see? This is the problem. you two keep acting like effort changes fate."
Vanessa Stared at Rick like his calmness offended her.
"Rick, this is the choice you made when you have chosen to marry Bella. You have married into ruin."
Quinir was angry at their words but his mother who is holding his hands stopped him from saying anything.
Vanessa fake smiled at Quinir and asked him, "Quinir, we heard Something interesting."
The room shifted. Even the air felt tighter.
"We heard you received an invitation to the Number One Private High School," Vanessa continued, voice smooth as poison, "on a full scholarship."
Quinir clenched his hands and replied in a calm voice,
" Yes."
Vanessa's smile widened.
"Good," she said, as if she'd been waiting for that answer.
Quinir didn't relax. He couldn't. Not with her watching him like she'd just found a weakness to exploit.
Edrin leaned back, folding his arms. Nova, who had been lounging near the doorway, straightened slightly his eyes sharpening the moment the word scholarship sank in.
Rick finally looked up from his tea, voice low. "He earned it."
Vanessa didn't even glance at him.
"That school isn't just any school," she said lightly. "It's the top academy in or city. A full scholarship there is… rare. That kind of opportunity shouldn't be wasted."
Bella frowned. "That's why we're grateful. Quinir worked—"
Vanessa raised a hand, cutting her off. "Yes, yes. Hard work. Very inspiring." Her tone made the words sound like a joke. Then she turned back to Quinir. "Tell me, dear… did you apply by yourself?"
Quinir's jaw tightened. "Yes."
"And you got accepted… by yourself?"
"Yes."
Nova scoffed under his breath. "Must've been desperate for charity cases."
Quinir didn't react. He just kept his gaze steady.
Vanessa sighed dramatically, like she was forced to deal with a difficult situation. "Quinir, you're a smart boy. So I'm sure you understand what I'm about to say."
Rick's grip on the cup tightened. Bella's fingers slowly curled around the edge of the kitchen counter.
Vanessa's smile became softer almost motherly.
"The scholarship should go to someone who can represent the family properly."
The words fell like a cold slap.
Quinir blinked once. "Represent the family?"
"Yes." Vanessa tilted her head. "That school is filled with influential families, future leaders, children with bloodlines that matter. They network. They build connections. They open doors."
Edrin nodded as if this was common sense. "And those doors can benefit all of us."
Bella's voice came out sharper than she intended. "Quinir is part of this family."
Vanessa's eyes flicked to Bella, amused. "Bella… don't pretend you don't understand status."
Nova stepped forward, hands in his pockets, smirk already formed. "It's simple. That scholarship is wasted on him."
Quinir's gaze slid to Nova.
Nova's eyes held nothing but entitlement.
Like the world owed him everything, and Quinir owed him the rest.
Vanessa leaned forward again. "Nova applied too."
Bella frowned. "Nova didn't even take the entrance test seriously. He skipped half his prep—"
"Enough." Vanessa's voice sharpened. "Nova is the one who belongs in that environment."
Quinir's throat tightened, but his voice stayed calm. "It's not transferable."
Vanessa laughed softly. "Oh, sweetheart. Everything is transferable if you know the right people."
Edrin tapped the armrest. "The school board doesn't like scandals. But they do like donations. They like respectable sponsors. The scholarship committee can be… persuaded."
Rick's head lifted fully now. "You're talking about bribery."
Vanessa's eyes didn't even flinch. "I'm talking about reality."
Nova's smile widened. "And you're going to help us, Quinir."
Quinir stared at him. "How."
Vanessa answered instead, voice smooth. "You'll decline the offer."
Bella's breath hitched. "No."
"You'll write a formal refusal," Vanessa continued, ignoring her, "stating that you cannot accept due to family circumstances."
Quinir felt his heartbeat deepen. Slow. Heavy.
"And then," Edrin added, "Nova's application will be reconsidered for the scholarship slot. Especially with our recommendation."
Quinir's fingers curled into a fist at his side.
Bella stepped forward, voice shaking. "You can't take his future from him!"
Vanessa's smile snapped cold. "Bella, don't get emotional. A scholarship is not a 'future.' It's a tool."
Rick stood, chair scraping. "Stop."
Vanessa's eyes finally turned toward Rick. "Rick, sit down before you embarrass yourself."
The room went still.
Rick's face tightened. He looked like he wanted to shout, but years of being trained to swallow humiliation had built walls inside him.
Quinir watched his father's struggle, and something twisted in his chest.
Vanessa turned back to Quinir and softened her tone again, falsely gentle.
"Quinir, you don't need that school," she said. "You'll manage. You always do. You're used to struggling, aren't you?"
Nova chuckled. "He's basically trained for it."
Bella's nails dug into her palm. "Quinir, don't listen.."
Vanessa cut her off again. "If you refuse, the family will appreciate your sacrifice."
Edrin's smile held no warmth. "And if you don't…"
Rick's eyes snapped to him. "Edrin."
Edrin shrugged. "Then there will be consequences. We can make life very difficult for you all."
The threat wasn't loud.
That's what made it real.
Vanessa's eyes were steady on Quinir's face. "Think carefully," she said. "Your father's job. Your mother's… health. Your living situation. You're still under this roof, aren't you?"
Quinir felt the air in the room thicken.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
As if the walls had drawn closer.
He looked at his mother.
Bella's eyes were wet, but she held his gaze with a silent plea.
Please don't break yourself for them.
He looked at his father.
Rick's face was rigid, ashamed—not of Quinir, but of being unable to protect him from people who shared their blood.
Quinir looked back at Vanessa.
Then he smiled faintly.
A small, controlled expression that made Nova's smirk falter.
"You want me," Quinir said slowly, "to give away something I earned… so Nova can wear it."
Nova's jaw tightened. "Watch your mouth."
Quinir's silver-gray eyes didn't soften. "I am watching it. That's why I'm not saying what I actually think."
Vanessa's gaze sharpened instantly. "Quinir."
Quinir's voice stayed calm, but there was steel underneath it now. "I'm not going to do that."
Silence slammed into the room.