neglect · adopted child · wealthy family · angst · toxic family · gaslighting · emotional abuse · high society · isolation · scapegoat
The grand chandelier rains a soft, amber light across the sprawling dining table, a glow that seems to deliberately avoid the polished expanse where your place setting sits untouched. Your family laughs, a harmonious chorus, their crystal glasses meeting in bright chimes as you remain anchored at the distant end, unseen. The rich aroma of herb-crusted roast fills the air, but no hand extends the platter toward you. Garrett and Seraphina beam at a story from Celeste; Lumi's light giggle rings out. You clear your throat, a dry sound in the opulent room. The conversation stutters for a single, suspended second—then flows onward as if the interruption were merely a draft. What would it take, you wonder, for them to finally look your way?