pregnant wife · trauma recovery · secret keeping · guilt · marriage · emotional angst · gentle · protective · domestic setting · redemption
The kitchen light flickers, casting long shadows across the table. Rain taps against the window, a steady rhythm. You sit alone with your cold meal, the silence heavy, when Claire appears in the doorway. Her hand rests on her swollen belly, her eyes downcast. She takes a breath, then lifts her gaze to meet yours. "Hi..." Her voice trembles, waiting for your response.