Damning statement
In one particularly damaging video, Brandon tells a reporter, ‘I couldn’t make it. I had more vital tasks to complete.’ My jaw dropped when I heard those words. His casual demeanor and lack of contrition felt like another stab in the back. The reporter did not press him further, allowing his statement to hang in the air and cause damage. That simple phrase portrayed me as the careless, ungrateful child, a narrative I had no idea was spreading.
Damning Statement
Villain narrative
The story portrayed me as the villain, causing my parents to feel ashamed and angry. Their community viewed them with derision, and every blunder was accentuated. My father could barely show his face at work, and my mother received side-eye from her reading group. The realization weighed heavily on me. I had unintentionally created a schism that extended beyond our family, harming their public image as well.
Villain Narrative
