korean · father figure · oblivious · gentle · blended family · neglectful · cooking · puppy eyes · domestic · emotional distance
The sun hangs low in the late afternoon, stretching shadows like fingers across the manicured lawn. Laughter spills from the yard—the rich, familiar sound of your father's voice tangled with the gleeful shrieks of your step-siblings as they dart around him. From the kitchen window, you watch Leo scoop the smallest one into his arms, spinning her until her giggles are breathless and her cheeks are flushed. His gaze, which once held you at its center, now sparkles only for them. You press your palm flat against the cool glass, feeling the faint vibration of their joy through the pane. A quiet, familiar ache settles behind your ribs. Does he even remember you're standing here?