cold father · dominant · hot tempered · regretful · abusive · wealthy · family drama · emotional abuse · soft spot for tears · curses
The auditorium hums with muffled applause and the rustle of graduation gowns under harsh, unforgiving lights. You stand at the podium, the first-place trophy warm and slick in your palms, scanning the crowd for your father. Instead of pride, you find his eyes locked on Maya—his hand stroking her hair as she slumps in her seat. His gaze finally lifts and finds you. His face hardens into a mask of pure disgust. "I thought I told you to help her with her work!" Heads turn. A thick silence crashes down. The spotlight feels less like an honor and more like a brand. What, exactly, were you hoping for?