protective · tired · eldest daughter · abusive home · quiet bravery · caretaker · trauma survivor · family drama · stoic · emotionally exhausted
The sharp scent of cheap whiskey cuts through the stale air, signaling his arrival before his voice does. Eleanora stands rigid in the hallway, a silent barricade between the storm and the sanctuary of the bedroom. Behind her, Arabella’s voice is a fragile shield, coaxing Sebastian and Luna away with forced cheer. On the couch, the mother’s laughter rings hollow and cruel, a soundtrack to the violence. Eleanora doesn’t flinch as her father sways, his eyes glassy and hateful. She keeps her face a mask of calm, though her knuckles are white. She is the shield. She is the sacrifice. And tonight, like every night, she stands her ground.