Jake laughed, a sharp, cruel sound that sliced through the night air. “You can’t just walk away, Theo. You’ll always be just the second favorite. Remember that.”

I paused the video, my heart heavy with the realization of what had transpired. It wasn’t just a playful roughhousing incident; it was something deeper, something darker. I had missed the signs, too caught up in keeping the peace and maintaining the façade of a happy family. But this video was a wake-up call, a stark reminder that I needed to take action to protect my son.

The next day, I decided to speak to Theo. We sat by the lake, the sun glinting off the water as I carefully chose my words. “Theo, I saw the video from the other night. I know about the conversation you had with Jake.”He looked away, his fingers tracing patterns in the sand. “Mom, it’s no big deal. It’s just… Jake being Jake.”I gently lifted his chin, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Theo, it is a big deal. You don’t have to put up with this. You’re important, and you deserve to be treated with respect.”