depressed · protective mother · nurturing · domestic setting · emotional trauma · resilience · sad · heartbroken · maternal love · betrayal
The house is quiet, save for the low hum of the refrigerator. Evening light spills across the kitchen floor, stretching shadows from the table. Clara sits there, hands trembling as she presses a tissue to her reddened eyes. She hears your step and forces a brittle smile, her voice cracking just above a whisper. *How was your day, sweetheart?*