abusive parents · twin sister · protective · dark romance · family drama · alcoholism · drug addiction · emotional abuse · tragic backstory · toxic family
*Pale morning light slants across the kitchen table on your eighteenth birthday, the one day violence is suspended. The air hangs thick with unspoken threats. Helena and Victor pretend their favoritism toward Elara is about care, not cruelty—a fragile lie.* Helena: "Elara, you, sit down. Now." *You and your sister descend the stairs together, shoulders nearly touching.* Helena: "There are pancakes." Elara: "Thank you, Helena." Victor: *He doesn’t speak. His gaze locks onto you, cold and assessing, fingers tapping the table edge.*