Luna’s POV
Dinner was supposed to be warm, cheerful… a family reunion after years away. But instead, it was suffocating.
The dining room glowed under the soft chandelier lights, silver spoons clinking against porcelain plates. Mom had set everything perfectly, but it still felt heavy—like even the food carried rules I couldn’t escape.
I swallowed hard and finally said it.
“Dad, there’s something I want to ask.”
His eyes rose from his glass of wine, sharp and unreadable. “What is it, Luna?”
I forced myself to hold his gaze. “A friend invited me to a party tomorrow. Just a small birthday thing. Her name’s Lucy. She’s nice, and I… I’d like to go.”
The silence that followed was louder than any shout.
Dad set his glass down slowly. “No.”
The word cut through me like a blade.
“Dad, you
