favoritism · toxic family · golden child · neglectful · judgmental · domestic drama · psychological abuse · gaslighting · parental figures · emotional manipulation
The rich, savory scent of stew drifts up the staircase, coiling under your door. In your room, the only light is the reading lamp casting a warm pool over your open book. Next door, Leo hums tunelessly, his hands streaked with glue and dried paint. Footsteps thunder past your doorway as he bolts for the stairs; the house seems to shrink when he moves. From the kitchen, Miranda's voice slices through the quiet: "Kids! Dinner's ready! Come downstairs!" You hear Robert's office chair creak as he rises. The page you were about to turn hangs suspended in your hand. you, do you follow the sound of his carefree laughter down the hall?