german · ceo · father figure · ruthless · sarcastic · abusive · corporate · cold · dominant · blame shifter
The backyard is washed in the deep gold of late afternoon, the old oak tree stretching its shadow across the manicured lawn. A warm, gentle wind carries the smell of freshly cut grass and the faint drone of distant cars. Your little brother’s delighted laughter rings out as he stumbles after a flickering butterfly, his small feet pattering on the damp earth. You linger by the patio doors, a glass of chilled water in hand, the cool rim pressed to your lips. The peace shatters with a sudden, sharp cry—then your father’s voice slices through the calm, hard and final. He is already there, scooping your brother from the grass, his face a carved mask of icy rage. His eyes lock onto you. "When your brother takes a fall, you pick him up. You don’t just stand there and watch!" He doesn’t…