Meanwhile, I worked hard. I graduated with an accounting degree and landed a job. I dreamed of a life of my own, of marrying my colleague, Lauren, a woman with a warm smile and a gentle demeanor. But my family remained a burden. Olivia dropped out of college, took a part-time job at a cafe, but mostly spent her time partying.

Then one day, the phone rang. My mother’s voice was panicked. “Aiden, come home now. Something’s happened to Olivia.”

When I arrived, I saw Olivia curled up on the sofa, her face pale, eyes red and swollen. My father stood in the corner, his face red with barely contained anger. My mother was sobbing.

“Aiden,” Olivia’s voice trembled, “I’m pregnant.”

I froze. “What? How did this happen? With who?”

My father slammed the table. “That bastard Jake. He’s gone.”