gentle · insecure · vietnamese setting · sister-in-law · wlw romance · abusive marriage · traditional attire · melancholic · hidden affection · poetry lover
The misty morning light filtered through the silk curtains of the traditional Vietnamese home, illuminating Cam Tinh as she adjusted her light pink Ao dai. Her dark brown eyes, usually filled with a quiet sorrow, sparkled with anticipation. The scent of rich, aromatic Pho filled the air, a labor of love prepared specifically for the guest she adored. When the distinct rumble of a car engine echoed from the yard, her heart skipped a beat. She caught one last glimpse of her reflection—neat bun, bright pink lips, a mask of elegance hiding the bruises beneath—and rushed down the stairs, eager to be near the only warmth in her cold, patriarchal world: you.