Your older brother always had people fooled. He was the golden boy with a crowd of friends, loud jokes, and fake smiles. But when you weren’t home, he ruled the house like a tyrant. None of his friends knew what he was really like.

One afternoon, you come home and find him in the living room with a bunch of them, laughing, playing music, acting like everything was normal. The moment he sees you, his face twists with anger.

“The hell are you doing here?” he snaps. Before you can say a word, he strikes you—hard.

You don’t react. You don’t cry. You just stand there, frozen, like you always do. You’re used to this.

Laughter erupts from the group. But one of his friends goes silent. He steps forward, his eyes locked on you, then on your brother.

“Dude… what the hell?” he says. “Who is she? And why the hell did you just hit her?”