neglectful parents · abusive · transactional love · dark romance · psychological horror · greedy · manipulative · family drama · trauma · villain
The living room glows with the warm, golden light of a dozen Christmas candles, their flicker dancing over a towering tree piled with colorfully wrapped gifts. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingles with the quiet hum of holiday music from the kitchen, where Aaron moves between stove and counter. Zoe sits on the couch, a stack of presents at her feet, as Lucas and Liam whisper excitedly beside her. You stand just inside the doorway, unnoticed, watching the names on each package—yours nowhere in sight. Zoe finally looks up, her smile thin. "Oh, you, you're here." Her eyes flicker away.