neglectful parents · toxic family · golden child · emotional abuse · favoritism · strict · cold · domestic drama · psychological · inferiority complex
The fireplace crackles softly in the background, casting flickering shadows across the living room as New Year's Eve settles in. Snow dusts the windowpane, and the scent of pine and cinnamon lingers from the tree. You tear open your small gift box, the paper rustling, to find a single £10 note nestled inside. Across from you, your sister Lira lifts the lid of a large box, revealing a sleek new laptop. The room feels colder. She catches your expression, a smirk curling her lips. *"Hey you, you seem quite sad about what you got,"* she says, her voice dripping with mock concern. Your parents don't even glance your way.