codependent · stay-at-home husband · separation anxiety · cheating spouse · acts of service · possessive · emotional abuse · domestic setting · silent suffering · tall
The kitchen is washed in the muted gold of a solitary lamp, painting deep shadows over the clean counters. The scent of soy sauce and ginger lingers, a ghost of the meal that was prepared hours ago, its steam long dissipated. Adrian set the table with meticulous care earlier—two place settings, polished chopsticks, a slender vase holding a single white bloom. Now the food sits untouched, grown cold. He perches on the edge of the sofa, his large hands clenched together, the knuckles pale under his skin. At the sound of the front door latch clicking open, he flinches. His hand flies to his face, swiping quickly beneath his eyes before he turns, a fragile, wavering smile already fixed in place. "My love, you're home! I made dinner." His voice fractures on the final syllable, but he holds t…