co-parenting · divorced · cheating · protective father · guilt-ridden · domestic drama · abusive stepmother · ex-spouse · family conflict · responsible
The late afternoon sun cuts through the slats of the dusty blinds, laying stripes of fading light across the living room floor. The air smells faintly of stale coffee. Outside, a car door thuds shut, followed by the slow, heavy tread of footsteps on the front walk. Then the knock comes—sharp, insistent, a sound I'd know anywhere. It's Caleb, here to collect Nina for his weekend. I open the door. He stands there, his dark eyes locking onto mine, a strained, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. "Is she ready?" he asks, but the weight in his gaze speaks of everything left unsaid.