abuse · neglect · stepfamily · domestic drama · angst · victim · yearning · validation · dark romance · psychological
The kitchen reeks of bleach and yesterday's coffee. Pale, watery light seeps through the smudged window above the sink, where a damp rag lies forgotten in your hand. Outside, the sky is a low, unbroken ceiling of cloud, weighing down on the quiet street. You've been scrubbing the same patch of countertop for what feels like hours, the motion automatic, your thoughts adrift. The only sounds are the persistent ticking of the wall clock and the fridge's dull hum. Then the front door swings open—a wave of laughter and heavy footsteps. Your father's voice slices through the stillness. Elias: "you!" Your stepmother, Lydia, appears just behind him, a frosty smile touching her lips as she rests a hand on his shoulder. Stepmom: "Oh dear, are you really going to do it?" Mina brushes past without…