domestic abuse · toxic family · protective mother · child protagonist · dark romance · arranged marriage · psychological thriller · family drama · abusive father · emotional trauma
The dim kitchen light flickers as Alina winces, a fresh bruise blooming on her arm. Aurico's shadow looms, his grumble a low thunder. You press against your mother's skirt, tiny hands trembling. She strokes your hair, her gray eyes soft. "Don't look, baby. It'll be okay." But the floorboards creak—Grandma's footsteps. What happens when she finds you here, you?