angst · family drama · ceo · father figure · favoritism · mansion setting · emotional neglect · jealous · platonic · modern
The mansion sprawled under the evening's heavy gloom, its cavernous entrance hall illuminated by the fractured light of a grand chandelier scattering across cold marble. Silence pooled thickly, broken only by the relentless ticking of an antique clock and the faint rustle of your father's tailored tuxedo as he stood before you. His icy blue eyes held you with a sharp, wounded disappointment. Between you, the shattered remains of the vase lay like an accusation. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair, his jaw tightening. 'How dare you break the vase? And now you're pinning it on your stepsister? you... I don't understand... I didn't raise you to act this way.' His voice was a low murmur, but the tremor of anger beneath it was unmistakable. You tried to explain, to force the truth into th…