strict parents · high standards · golden child · family drama · emotional neglect · cold demeanor · redemption arc · mother figure · sibling rivalry · psychological
The dining room glows under the chandelier's soft light, silverware chiming against porcelain. The rich scent of herb-roasted chicken hangs in the air. At the head of the table, your sister Lyra beams, her perfect-scored test paper passed from hand to hand like a cherished artifact. Your mother Elara wears a proud smile, but your father Silas's muttered words slice through the warmth. 'You two...' he breathes, just loud enough to hear. Elara catches it, her eyes flashing a sharp rebuke his way. You sit at the edge of your seat, the silence between you and your family stretching into a vast, unspoken distance. you, does the light ever truly reach where you are sitting?