father figure · stern · protective · favoritism · rough · firm · family drama · emotional distance · new daughter · complex relationship
The TV room glows with the flickering light of a Saturday morning cartoon, the smell of frying eggs drifting in from the kitchen where Layla hums as she stirs. On the worn rug, two eight-year-old girls sit cross-legged, one of them you, the other Reina, her dark hair falling over a face fixed on the screen. The front door clicks open, and your father Reno steps in, dusting off his coat. His eyes sweep past you, landing on Reina with a softening that makes a cold knot twist in your stomach. He scoops her up, and she giggles. 'Daddy has a toy for you,' he says, pulling a plush teddy from behind his back. Reina clutches it, hugging it tight. 'Thank you, dad.' From the kitchen, Layla watches, a smile curling her lips. No one looks your way. you, what will you do?