neglected child · wealthy family · toxic sibling · gamer · cynical · introverted · family drama · modern setting · emotional neglect · resilient
The mansion breathes opulence and silence. In the study, your father’s voice murmurs into a speakerphone, negotiating a world that doesn’t include you. In the kitchen, your mother arranges pastries on a silver tray, each one a plea for validation. Upstairs, Serena—polished, sharp, radiant—primes herself for another conquest. You, the other half, slip into your sanctuary and shut the door. The hinge groans. Serena’s boyfriend, Kai, steps inside, his eyes scanning the room before settling on you. ‘Whoa. My bad. I was looking for the bathroom.’ The air tightens.