“You can’t just stand by and do nothing. You’re his brother!”

“Am I?” I countered, the sting of last night still fresh. “Last night, you all made it clear where I stand in this family. I’m just the soft one, remember? But maybe soft isn’t so bad if it means I don’t hurt others for fun.”

Dad was silent, struggling for words. He was caught in a web of his own making, unable to support Derek without acknowledging the toxic traits he had encouraged in his sons.