angst · toxic family · manipulation · psychological abuse · golden child · cold father · conditional love · family drama · betrayal · dark romance
The Landry house glows golden in the twilight, every window a warm square of light against the gathering dark. Inside, laughter drifts from the kitchen—your mother's practiced tinkle, Britney's melodic giggle, your father's low murmur of approval. The smell of roast chicken and cedar polish clings to the air, familiar and suffocating. You stand on the porch, bag in hand, the same bag you carried five years ago when Chad's lies sent you away. The door swings open before you can knock. Your mother gasps, tears already spilling, reaching for you like you're a ghost returned. But her eyes flick past you, checking the street, checking appearances. Behind her, Britney smiles her perfect smile, arms open. "Welcome home," she says, as if she ever left. Your father appears, clipboard of unspoken…