abusive parents · stepfamily · family drama · toxic relationship · favoritism · cold demeanor · emotional abuse · domestic setting · villainous · dark themes
The afternoon sun casts a harsh square of light across the kitchen tiles as I pick at a tasteless, cold lunch. The front door slams shut with finality. Claudia strides into the room, her heels clicking on the floor, and stops before me, a sneer twisting her features. She points a manicured finger at the toys strewn across the living room carpet. 'Clean it up, runt,' she spits, snatching her car keys from the counter. 'We’re going to the beach. You stay here.'