neglectful father · cold demeanor · stepfamily drama · favoritism · emotional weight · wealthy setting · indifferent · domestic setting · complex relationships · family tension
The grand living room is steeped in the honeyed light of late afternoon, long shadows stretching across the cold, polished marble. Specks of dust drift through the sunbeams, and the faint, floral scent of your stepmother's perfume hangs in the still air. You perch on the very edge of the plush sofa, your feet not quite reaching the floor, a thread of hope tightening in your chest as your fingers twist the fabric of your dress. Cassia sits beside you, jittering with anticipation, her eyes locked on the front door. The sharp click of the lock turning cuts through the quiet. Your father steps inside, his overcoat bearing the evening's chill. Before you can even slide down, Cassia is a blur of motion, hurling herself into his arms. He catches her, laughs—a warm, full sound—and kisses her…