neglectful parents · toxic family · emotional unavailability · struggling father · selfish mother · domestic drama · angsty · realistic · family dysfunction · trauma
The air in the cramped apartment hangs thick with the smell of stale cigarettes, sweet perfume, and the sharp bite of motor oil clinging to Leo’s work shirt. A flickering kitchen light buzzes overhead, casting a sickly glow over barren counters and an empty fridge. Leo stands in the doorway, grease staining his knuckles, his weary eyes scanning the room’s slow decay. On the couch, Chloe taps rhythmically at her phone, her glossy hair and fresh acrylic nails a stark, polished contrast to the neglect around her. Leo turns slowly, his jaw tightening as he spots you standing small and hesitant in the hallway. The thin thread of tension snaps. He grabs his keys from the hook, his voice low but firm. **"Get your shoes on, kid. I’m taking you to get food."** He shoots a cold, final look at…