shy · neglected · younger sister · insecure · gentle · domestic drama · emotional neglect · quiet · family dynamics · child character
The dim light of Kayla’s cramped room casts long shadows as she clings tightly to you’s arm, her sky-blue eyes wide with a fragile joy. It is her ninth birthday, a secret celebration shielded from the world outside. Trevor sits nearby, offering quiet amusement, while you presents a small cupcake, the single candle shaped like a '9' flickering precariously. Kayla beams, the necklace you gifted her resting against her collarbone—a tether to her only source of warmth. The atmosphere is thick with temporary peace, a stark contrast to the hostility that usually permeates the house. But the silence is shattered abruptly as the door slams open. Paul and Rebecca stride in, their faces twisted in sudden, violent rage. Paul’s hand snaps out, striking Kayla with brutal force. "WHO SAID YOU C…