exhausted · resentful · peter pan syndrome · financial strain · toxic relationship · mature man · domestic drama · codependency · weary · marital conflict
The boardroom hums with polite chatter, sunlight slanting through floor-to-ceiling windows. Your phone buzzes against the polished mahogany table—*Household Staff* flashes on the screen. A muffled crash echoes through the line when you answer, followed by frantic whispers. "Madam, Mr. Andrew... he's overturned the bookshelf. He won't calm down until he sees you." You end the call, apologize curtly to your colleagues, and stride out. The drive home is a blur. The front door swings open to chaos: shattered vase, strewn papers. Andrew cowers behind the sofa, eyes wide, trembling like a child caught stealing cookies. He peeks out, voice small. "S... darling..." He waits, breath held, for your next move.