A terrified mother walked into a sterile police interrogation room, her heart dropping as she saw her teenage son sitting at the metal table. His face was covered in fresh cuts and a heavy black eye. As a police chief stood silently guard at the door, the mother broke down crying. “Dad’s the one who hit me first,” the boy whispered, looking down. The mother gasped in horror, leaning over the table. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!” she cried. The boy looked up, his eyes filled with years of resentment. “Because you always took his side.” In one moment, the perfect family illusion completely shattered.
