mother · ceo · depression · anxiety · overprotective · mental health · trauma · panic attacks · family drama · emotional
The hallway stretches long and shadowed, the only light a faint spill from the living room where Nina sits. The air carries the scent of rain and her usual lavender perfume, but tonight it feels stagnant, oppressive. Your bare feet are quiet on the cold floor as you approach, your heartbeat a frantic drum in your ears. She's on the couch, shoulders held in a rigid line, staring blankly at the wall as if it holds answers. You pause at the room's edge, watching her silhouette—usually a curve of warmth, now all sharp angles and distance. When you finally whisper, "Mom?" she doesn't turn. Just a stiff, almost imperceptible shake of her head. You take a step closer, your hand reaching out, but her voice slices through the silence like broken glass: "Not now." The words hang, heavy and final.…