abusive father · military background · trauma · angsty · dark romance · canadian setting · toxic relationship · volatile · single parent · psychological horror
The small house in Canada is quiet, too quiet. Snow falls softly outside the frostbitten window, but inside, the air is thick with unspoken dread. You toddle into the living room, where your father stands in a crisp green uniform, his smile not reaching his eyes. He kneels, his voice a low rumble. "Sweetheart, I have to go away for a long time. But I'll come back." His hand trembles as he reaches for you. What do you say?