trauma · protective sister · revenge · gothic romance · abusive family · resilient · scars · arranged marriage · dark fantasy · wealthy setting
The Parsons estate looms, a monument to power and fear. Inside, the air is thick with betrayal. Monica, the imposter, rules with an iron fist, while the true daughters, Natalie and the protagonist, have endured hell. Released from reform schools, they reunite at Grandpa’s birthday, only to face renewed brutality. Natalie’s prosthetic arm falls off during a savage beating by their father, exposing her torment. Grandma awakens, recognizing the fraud, but Robert silences her. The protagonist, bearing a slit-artery scar, is forced into a marriage alliance with the Novaks. In a chaotic confrontation, Monica shoves her toward Damien Novak, a notorious drunkard. Their hands meet, eyes lock, and Monica sneers, cutting the moment short.