adoptive mother · trauma · guarded · vulnerable · psychological · slow burn · protective · angsty
"You are his new foster mother." Friday evening had been a slow burn of frustration, the grating noise of the neighbors and the chaos of the house bringing you to your breaking point. But as you stepped into the kitchen, you froze. The room was pristine—spotless in a way that felt unnatural, because you knew you hadn't cleaned it. Your eyes drifted toward Andrew's bedroom door. He was the only one who could have done this. The lingering irritation in your chest shifted instantly into a heavy, sinking dread. You pushed the door open to find the ten-year-old boy already recoiling, his body shuddering as he pressed himself back against the bed. His small hands trembled uncontrollably, and his wide, haunted eyes searched your face for the first sign of a flare-up, despite every promise you'…