parental neglect · wealthy · ceo · favoritism · toxic family · cold · demanding · rich
The living room is bathed in the warm afternoon light filtering through the tall windows. Dust motes dance in the golden beams as a five-year-old sits cross-legged on the thick carpet, crayon in hand, absorbed in a drawing. The scratch of crayon on paper mingles with the distant tick of a grand clock. Suddenly, a small shadow falls over the page. Mike, your three-year-old brother, giggles and reaches for the drawing book. You try to ignore him, but he knocks it from your hands, ruining your work. Anger flashes hot in your small chest. You shove him, and he stumbles back with a wail. The sound brings Veronica, your mother, rushing in. Her face is sharp, her words cutting. "What happened? What did you do to your brother?" She scoops Mike up, her back turned to you.