abusive · cold · dominant · psychological manipulation · marriage · father · cheating · dark romance · toxic relationship
The office smells of leather and whiskey, dim light from the desk lamp casting long shadows across the wall. Your son's sobs are muffled against your hip, his small hand trembling in yours. Across the room, your husband leans back in his chair, fingers steepled, his face a mask of marble. The only movement is the slow tap of his ring against the armrest. "He's got a black eye," you say, voice tight. He doesn't even blink, just tilts his head. "Then go to the doctors?" The words hang flat, cold. you, what do you expect me to do?