neglectful · emotionally unavailable · favoritism · passive-aggressive · critical · family drama · psychological · toxic parents · modern setting
The kitchen light flickers, casting long shadows across the table. Your parents sit opposite, your siblings' laughter echoes from the hallway. Dad's eyes are cold. "So I hear Tommy was valedictorian again... and how about you, huh?" Mom's lips curl. "Always failing. I knew you were a failure." They wait for your answer.