After hanging up, I opened Derek’s LinkedIn profile. What I found made my blood boil.
Derek’s profile showed him as founder and principal consultant at his own firm. Recent posts included photos from business lunches at expensive restaurants, updates about exciting client partnerships, a professional headshot from a high-end studio.
One post from two weeks ago: “Building relationships and expanding horizons. Grateful for the opportunities that come with entrepreneurship.”
Another from last month showed Derek at an expensive steakhouse: “Closing deals and building partnerships. Nothing beats a successful quarter.”
His Instagram told an even more revealing story: photos from a Vegas weekend three weeks ago, a professional football game in premium seats two months ago, multiple posts featuring expensive meals at trendy restaurants.
Then I found the photo that made everything click: Derek standing next to a bright red Corvette convertible, posted four days ago. Caption: “Sometimes you need to treat yourself. Life’s too short for boring cars.”
This was the same car he’d supposedly sold due to financial hardship.
I called my parents’ lawyer friend, Patricia. After explaining the situation, she confirmed: “You have every legal right to sell that property. They’re essentially tenants at will with thirty days’ notice.”
“Even though they’re family?”
“Especially because they’re family who abandoned you on a highway,” Patricia said with barely contained anger.
That afternoon when the girls came home from school, they were full of questions.
“Is Grandma coming to make her special pancakes?” Grace asked about the Christmas morning tradition.
“Are they coming when we open presents?” Emma added. “Tyler texted that they gave him a new gaming system already.”
Sarah and I exchanged glances. We’d agreed to have an honest conversation.
“Girls, come sit with us,” I said gently. “Grandpa and Grandma aren’t going to be able to come for Christmas morning this year. They’re spending Christmas with Uncle Derek and your cousins.”
Emma’s face fell. “But they always come here. It’s our tradition.”
“Why can’t they come to both?” Grace asked.
“Sometimes grown-ups have to make difficult decisions,” Sarah said. “Uncle Derek’s kids are going through changes with their parents’ divorce, so Grandpa and Grandma want to be there for them.”
“But what about us?” Emma asked, her voice small and hurt. “Don’t they want to be here for us too?”
How do you explain to an 8-year-old that their grandparents had essentially ranked them as less important?
My phone rang. Mom.
“Corey, honey, I’ve been thinking about last night. This decision wasn’t easy for us.”
“Mom, can I ask you something directly? Has Derek shown you any documentation of his job loss? Termination papers? Unemployment filing?”
Pause. “Well, no, but he explained everything when he moved in temporarily.”
“Mom, I need you to look at something.” I sent her Derek’s LinkedIn profile and social media posts. “I think you need to see what he’s been posting about his business success.”
“Corey, I don’t think I should be spying—”
“It’s not spying if it’s publicly posted. He’s been lying to you about his financial situation.”
After several long minutes: “Oh my.”
“That Corvette in the photo—that’s the car he told you he had to sell, right?”
“Yes. He said the divorce settlement required him to liquidate assets.”
“This photo was posted four days ago. He still owns the car.”
Long silence. “I need to talk to your father. Corey, I had no idea.”
“Mom, this means Derek has been manipulating you while my kids suffer. Emma and Grace have been looking forward to Christmas morning with you for months.”
“I feel sick. I need to process this.”
After she hung up, I looked at Sarah. “I think Mom’s starting to understand, but I’m not holding my breath for Dad to change his mind.”
“What if they don’t fix this?” Sarah asked.
I looked toward the stairs where I could hear the girls getting ready for bed. “Then we make sure they have the best Christmas possible anyway. And Derek will learn that actions have consequences.”
But I was already formulating a plan that would teach my entire family exactly what budget issues really felt like.
Christmas morning arrived gray and cold. Sarah and I had scraped together modest gifts using our emergency savings: art supplies, books, small toys we hoped would bring smiles despite the absence of their grandparents.
Emma and Grace bounded downstairs at 7 a.m., faces bright with pure childhood joy.
“Where are Grandma and Grandpa’s presents?” Grace asked, looking around confused.
“Remember, sweetie? They’re spending Christmas with Tyler and Madison.”
Emma’s face fell but rallied quickly. “Can we call them after we open presents?”
Around 9:30, we video-called my parents. The sheer volume of gifts surrounding Derek’s family was staggering—thousands of dollars worth of electronics and toys.
“Grandma, Grandpa, look what I got!” Emma held up her art supplies.
“That’s wonderful, sweetheart,” Mom said, voice strained.
In the background, Tyler was setting up a complete gaming system with a massive television. “Uncle Corey, look what Grandpa got me! The new PlayStation with all the games. It cost $3,000!”
Grace’s eyes widened. “$3,000?” she whispered.
Madison twirled in designer clothes. “And look at my Christmas outfit! Grandma took me shopping and said I could pick whatever I wanted!”
I watched my daughters’ faces as simple joy was replaced by confusion and hurt.
“Grandpa,” Emma said quietly, “did Santa bring Tyler and Madison extra presents?”
Dad cleared his throat. “Well, sweetie, Santa knows they’re going through some changes this year.”
“But we’ve been good too,” Grace said, voice very small. “We helped decorate and we’ve been extra good at school.”
I felt something break inside watching my daughter try to understand why she was less deserving.
Derek appeared carrying expensive champagne. “Hey, little brother, how’s your Christmas going?”
For the next ten minutes, we endured a parade of expensive gifts. Derek made sure to mention prices.
“And this is just the beginning,” Derek announced. “Mom and Dad are taking the kids shopping after Christmas. They need new ski equipment for our trip to Colorado next month.”
