Mom Said ‘Skip Christmas – You’ll Embarrass Your Brother’s Fiancée’ – Then The Forbes Cover Dropped

“We were told you were unemployed and living in rather modest circumstances. Victoria was concerned about—I’m embarrassed to even say this now.” She said.

“Say it.” I prompted.

“She was concerned about the family appearing too mixed in terms of success levels. She comes from a family where everyone is highly accomplished, and she wanted Jason’s family to reflect that same level of achievement to my husband and me.” She explained.

I closed my eyes. So Jason told her I was a failure. “In so many words, yes. And your parents seemed to agree it would be better if you weren’t present.” She added.

“I see.” I said.

“Miss Ashworth, I’m looking at this Forbes article right now. It says you bootstrapped this company with patent money you earned from research you conducted at 23. It says you’ve revolutionized cancer diagnostics. It says you’re the youngest woman in history to achieve this level of success in biotech.” She said.

“That’s accurate.” I replied.

“Then I believe I need to have a rather serious conversation with my daughter about the character of the man she’s planning to marry.” She stated.

My doorbell rang. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Ashworth, someone’s at my door.” I said.

“Of course, Miss Ashworth. Merry Christmas and congratulations; what you’ve built is extraordinary.” She hung up.

I walked to my door and checked the camera. My cousin Rachel stood there holding her phone, looking stunned. I opened the door.

“M?” Rachel’s voice cracked. “Is this real?” She held up her phone with the Forbes cover.

“It’s real.” I said.

“You’re a billionaire?” She asked.

“On paper; most of it’s equity.” I replied.

“Holy shit.” She walked into my penthouse, looking around like she was seeing it for the first time—because she was. “When did you move here?” She asked.

“Eighteen months ago.” I said.

“This place is… is this a $4 million penthouse?” She asked.

“4.2.” I corrected.

She sank onto my couch. “Everyone’s freaking out. Aunt Linda posted the Forbes article in the family group chat asking if this was you. Your mom started calling everyone. Uncle Tom is losing his mind because he just invested in some biotech fund last week and wants to know if he can get into Meridian. Cousins are blowing up Instagram.” Rachel said.

“What about my parents?” I asked.

Rachel looked at me seriously. “They uninvited you from Christmas because they thought you’d embarrass Jason, and you’re literally on the cover of Forbes as the youngest female biotech CEO billionaire in history. Yeah, they’re going to lose their minds.” Rachel.

The Nuclear Fallout

My phone buzzed, then again, then continuously. I looked at the screen: 47 missed calls, over 100 texts.

“Emily, call me now.” Mom.

“Is this article real? Why didn’t you tell us?” Mom.

“We need to talk immediately.” Dad.

“What the fuck, Em? Victoria’s parents are flipping out. Jason, call me right now.” Jason.

“OM, Emily. Forbes!” Aunt Linda.

“Can we talk investment opportunities?” Uncle Tom.

“Holy shit, you’re a billionaire.” Cousin Mike.

Rachel watched me scroll. “Are you going to answer?” She asked.

“Eventually.” I replied.

My phone rang again. I declined it. It rang immediately again. I declined. It rang a fourth time, from an unknown number. I answered.

“Hello?” I said.

“Emily, darling!” My mother’s voice, using someone else’s phone. “We’ve been trying to reach you. There’s the most wonderful article about you in Forbes! Why didn’t you tell us about your company?” Mom.

“You told me I was between jobs.” I said.

“Well, yes, but that was six months ago. Surely you could have mentioned this little startup.” Mom replied.

“The unicorn startup worth over a billion dollars?” I asked.

“Yes! We’re all so proud! Everyone’s here at brunch and we’re celebrating. Victoria’s parents are absolutely thrilled to hear about your success.” Mom said.

“The same Victoria who didn’t want me at Christmas because I’d be uncomfortable around old money?” I asked.

There was silence. “Emily, that was a misunderstanding.” Mom said.

“No, Mom, it wasn’t. You uninvited me because you were embarrassed of me.” I said.

“That’s not—we were trying to protect you from feeling uncomfortable.” Mom said.

“I own a penthouse in Back Bay. I run a company with 200 employees. I have hospital contracts in six states. I made $43 million in revenue last year. What exactly would I be uncomfortable about?” I asked.

“Emily, please. Everyone wants to see you. Victoria’s parents are asking about you. Your father is so proud. Jason is excited to celebrate with you.” Mom pleaded.

“Jason told his fiancée I was a failure.” I said.

“He was just—he didn’t know! How could he know when you didn’t tell us?” Mom argued.

“I stopped telling you things when I was 19, Mom, because every time I did, you dismissed it or changed the subject or made it about Jason.” I said.

“That’s not fair.” Mom replied.

“You threw Jason a party for 40 people when he got a $70,000 analyst job. We went to Applebee’s when I graduated Summa Cum Laude from MIT with patent applications worth millions.” I countered.

“Emily…” Mom started.

“You had his $15,000 bonus framed. I earned $2.3 million from patent licensing and you told me I should find something more stable.” I added.

“We didn’t understand.” Mom said.

“You didn’t want to understand. There’s a difference.” I replied.

“Please come to brunch. Everyone’s asking for you. Victoria’s parents specifically want to meet you. This is important for Jason’s future.” Mom said.

And there was the real reason. This was about Jason’s engagement. “Victoria’s family is very prominent, Emily. The Ashworths are old Boston. If they think our family isn’t… if they’re concerned about…” Mom.

Another voice spoke in the background. “Your father wants to talk to you, Emily.” Mom said.

Dad’s voice was tight. “This is serious. Victoria’s father, Charles Ashworth, runs a $2 billion investment firm. This connection is crucial for Jason’s career. If you could just come to brunch and smooth things over.” Dad.

“Smooth what over exactly?” I asked.

“Victoria’s parents are upset that we didn’t mention your accomplishments because you—didn’t know about them.” Dad said.

“Exactly.” I replied.

“So come explain that to them. Help Jason out here.” Dad said.

“Help Jason out? I was uninvited from Christmas because I’d embarrass him.” I reminded him.

“Nobody said that.” Dad said.