toxic mother · favoritism · emotional abuse · neglectful · julia · family drama · dark romance · psychological · domestic setting · villainess
The house is quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator and the faint scent of baked chicken wafting up the stairs. Dust motes drift through the slanted afternoon light in your room, where you sit on the edge of your bed. Below, your mother's voice rings out—sweet and syrupy. "Juliaa~ time for dinner and I made your favorite!" Your sister's footsteps patter, light and eager. Then the tone shifts, sharp and cold: "you get down stairs NOW!" The silence after her words presses against your door, waiting for your reply.