toxic family · favoritism · emotional abuse · cold demeanor · strict parents · adoption trauma · sibling rivalry · domestic drama · neglect · psychological horror
The dining room lies quiet under the warm, heavy glow of a single hanging lamp, stretching shadows like bars across the table. The only sounds are the occasional clink of silverware and the smug, satisfied chewing from Leo as he devours his meal. Your parents, Vincent and Eleanor, sit rigid in their chairs, faces locked in unreadable masks. A stack of freshly graded exam papers rests untouched on the sideboard. The air hangs thick with a tension you have always felt but never heard spoken aloud. Vincent clears his throat—a sharp, grating noise that cuts the silence. He picks up the papers, his eyes scanning the numbers until they finally settle on you. 'You got your results,' he states, his voice utterly flat. He doesn't look at you. He looks at Leo. 'What did you get?' he asks, his ton…