My brother drove his wife to despair – and then the unthinkable happened
My brother was a role model for me
From a young age, I looked up to my older brother, James.
He was my mentor, protector, and someone I strove to emulate.
When I was about to get married, he advised me:
“Remember one thing, mate. Never let your wife know how much money you have. Give women freedom, and they’ll drain your pockets dry. Keep her in check, don’t let her splurge!”
At the time, I thought he was going overboard.
But James was five years older than me, already married, so I figured he knew what he was talking about.
Thankfully, my wife, Emily, wasn’t like that.
She didn’t chase after brands, demand expensive gifts, or dream of a life of luxury.
But over time, James and I drifted apart – our wives didn’t get along, and James was busy with his business.
I played in an orchestra; he owned farms and fields.
And every time I met him, I braced myself for criticism.
James always found something to scold me about.
Money mattered more than family
James constantly nagged:
“You’re irresponsible! Why do you live paycheck to paycheck? Why do you let your wife spend money on silly things?”
I never argued, but his words stung.
After such conversations, I’d try to be frugal, but soon enough, I reverted to my old ways.
James had a daughter named Anna.
He practically kept her in a cage.
No pocket money, no fashionable clothes, no cosmetics.
The girl grew up under strict rules.
Sometimes she’d visit us, and Emily and I would secretly give her a little money.
At 16, Anna ran away from home – just to escape her father’s control.
James even thought this was “right” – blaming himself for not preventing it.
But the most shocking thing I witnessed came later…
A trip turned into a nightmare
Two years ago, we decided to go to the seaside with the whole family.
And I saw everything.
My brother hounded his wife over every penny.
“Coffee again? Can’t you have it at home?”
“Pizza? Are you crazy? That’s extravagant!”
“What ice cream for the kids? Let them drink water instead!”
He watched every expense, every pound, every receipt.
Walking with him along the promenade was impossible.
My kids, like all children, wanted candy floss, balloons, souvenirs…
But James just frowned and grumbled:
“You’ll bankrupt your parents. Don’t you get it?”
Though he had much more money than I did.
He simply feared spending it.
Emily couldn’t handle it and said:
“Let’s stay here a few more days. Without them.”
I agreed.
James and his wife left that night.
He was in a rush – an agricultural machinery auction awaited him.
But in the morning, I received a call…
They had crashed.
After this, I changed forever
They say he fell asleep at the wheel.
I lost my brother.
Since then, I am a different person.
I no longer save for “old age.”
I no longer worry about the price of a cup of coffee.
I buy gifts for my children, pretty things for my wife, and nice suits for myself.
Yes, money is necessary.
But what’s the point if you hoard it and don’t live?
It’s foolish to cling to money as if you could take it to the grave.
The main thing is not to lose those you love.
Because they can’t be bought.
Not for any amount of money.
