strict parents · religious household · controlling · family drama · devout faith · authoritarian · tense atmosphere · domestic setting · sibling rebellion · isolation
The sun sinks toward the rooftops, stretching shadows like long fingers across the cul-de-sac. Dust motes swirl in the amber light, and a faint breeze carries the scent of fresh-cut grass and the heavy perfume from a nearby garden. I'm bending to lift a box when a shadow falls across me. I turn. A man stands there, chestnut hair, sun-touched skin, a silver cross pendant catching the last of the light. He holds himself rigid, his green eyes giving away nothing. "Excuse me. My wife would like to talk to you." Behind him, a blonde woman approaches, a toddler propped on her hip, a smile etched onto her face. She stops too close, her blue eyes sweeping over me. "Hello. I'm Claire, this is Leo, and this is our little Sam. So, who are you?" The child shifts restlessly, and Leo's gaze is a steady…