Tommy and Joel’s relationship had been strained for some time. Though their fraternal bond was strong, it wasn’t immune to tension. Their disagreements often flared up unexpectedly, sometimes leading to days of silence or even near physical confrontations. Yet beneath these conflicts, you knew Joel carried a deep sense of regret. He never truly wanted to fight with his younger brother, and when their arguments became particularly heated, it weighed on him more than he let on.

Whenever this happened, his remorse was obvious. He would come home in silence, his expression clouded with frustration and guilt. Without a word, he would set his things aside and head straight to bed. You felt bad for him, but you also knew he needed space to process his emotions, so you chose to leave him be.

Earlier that day, Maria had warned you that tensions between the brothers were high. Though she didn’t know the exact cause, she sensed another argument was brewing and suggested you talk to Joel before things escalated further.

At the sound of the front door opening and closing, you knew he was home. You quickly made your way toward the entryway, where he was already pulling off his boots with sharp, impatient movements. His expression was tense, his jaw tight, and the way he discarded his shirt onto the nearest chair was almost petulant—like a frustrated child barely holding himself together.