Parents.. with different treatment

The breaking point

The living room was in its usual state of chaos, toys scattered across the floor. Among them, the green dinosaur car—a favorite of both boys—was at the center of the latest fight between Xander and Xavier. The two brothers had been at odds all afternoon, their voices rising once again as they wrestled for control of the toy.

Xander, gripping the car tightly, was growing more and more frustrated. "It's mine, Xavier! Uncle Sam gave it to me! Let go!"

"But I want to play with it!" Xavier shot back, tugging harder.

The argument escalated quickly, as it always seemed to. Xavier wouldn't let go, and Xander, desperate to hold onto what was rightfully his, refused to give in. The sounds of their shouts echoed through the house.

Colby, sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands, could hear every word. He had been dealing with the kids' fights all day, and between work stress, taking care of baby Victoria, and endless chores, he was running on fumes. His patience had long since worn thin.

"Not again," Colby muttered to himself, pushing back from the table. He had barely taken a moment to sit down before the noise of another fight forced him up again.

As he entered the living room, the sight of Xander and Xavier pulling the toy back and forth was too much. His tired eyes took in the scene, and something inside him snapped.

"That's it!" Colby shouted, storming over to the boys. "I'm done with this fighting!"

Both boys froze for a second, startled by the anger in their father's voice. Xander, still holding tightly to the car, looked up at his dad, expecting the usual scolding. But this time, Colby's face was filled with frustration far beyond what Xander was used to seeing.

"Xander, how many times do I have to tell you? You need to stop causing these problems!" Colby's voice was sharp, and before Xander could respond, Colby's hand came down hard, striking Xander on the arm.

The impact wasn't brutal, but it was enough to shock Xander completely. His small body recoiled in disbelief, the pain stinging more in his heart than on his arm. His eyes filled with tears instantly, not just from the hit but from the sudden understanding that his dad—his hero—had hurt him. The car dropped from his hands, forgotten.

Xavier, wide-eyed and silent, took a step back, sensing that something had gone too far. The room fell eerily quiet.

Xander looked up at Colby, his lip trembling as tears streamed down his face. "Daddy... it's my car," he whispered, his voice breaking. The hurt in his eyes was palpable, and Colby, in that moment, realized what he had done.

Colby's breath hitched. He had lost control. For a second, he stood there, frozen, the weight of his action settling over him like a heavy blanket. He looked at Xander's tear-streaked face, the little boy who had just wanted his toy back, and the anger that had flared up in him dissipated, replaced by a deep, overwhelming guilt.

"Xander..." Colby began, his voice cracking with regret. He knelt down, reaching out to his son, but Xander took a step back, still clutching his arm, as if afraid of what his dad might do next.

Valerie, hearing the commotion, hurried into the room with Victoria in her arms. "What happened?" she asked, her eyes darting from Xander's tearful face to Colby's look of horror.

"I—" Colby stammered, but he couldn't find the words. He had lost control in a way he hadn't intended, and now his son was looking at him like a stranger.

Valerie, sensing the tension, knelt beside Xander, gently pulling him into her arms. "It's okay, baby," she whispered, rubbing his back as he sobbed quietly into her shoulder.

Colby stood there, feeling powerless. His heart was heavy with the weight of what he'd done, and the exhaustion that had consumed him just moments ago was replaced by a gnawing guilt. He had been too tired, too overwhelmed, and he had let his frustration get the better of him. But that didn't matter now—not when he saw the fear and hurt in Xander's eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Colby whispered, though the words felt hollow. He reached out toward Xander again, but his son remained huddled against Valerie, not meeting his father's gaze.

Xavier stood off to the side, still holding the car, too young to fully understand the gravity of what had just happened, but sensing the tension nonetheless. He quietly placed the car on the floor and stepped back, watching everything unfold.

Valerie shot a glance at Colby, her expression a mix of concern and disappointment. "You need to take a break, Colby," she said softly, holding Xander close. "This can't happen again."

Colby nodded, his throat tight. He had crossed a line he never thought he would. And as he stood there, staring at his son's small, fragile figure, he knew that an apology wasn't enough to undo the damage.

Xander, still sniffling, peeked up from Valerie's shoulder, his big eyes full of confusion and hurt. He didn't understand why his dad had hit him—only that it felt wrong. In that moment, the bond between them felt fragile, something Colby knew he would have to work hard to repair.

But for now, all Colby could do was stand there, the weight of his mistake heavy on his heart, as his son cried in his mother's arms.