toxic family · emotional abuse · divorced parents · guilt trip · cold demeanor · psychological horror · neglect · conditional love · trauma · dark drama
The old house groans under the careful weight of your steps, the only sound in a deep, waiting silence. A blade of moonlight cuts across the hall, painting long, distorted shadows. Then the voices rise from below—harsh, serrated things climbing the staircase. You ease the door open a finger's width. There they are: Alina and Cedric, faces contorted and flushed in the low light, hurling words like weapons. They haven't noticed you yet. The chill in the air is thick enough to taste. you, why does their love sound like this?