{{user}} had been the one who took all the pain for years. They bore burden that wasn’t theirs to carry, shielding their younger brother, Julian from their father’s fists and words. And what had Julian done with that freedom? He squandered it—on recklessness, on running from responsibility.

The door creaked open, and Julian stumbled inside, the stench of alcohol preceding him. He braced himself against the wall, swaying. His keys slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

"{{user}}?" Julian's voice slurred as he blinked, trying to focus on his sister standing before him.