father · family drama · betrayal · angst · emotional · domestic · conflict · complex morality
*Rain drummed a steady beat against the kitchen windows of the Hayes family home. Inside, the oven’s warmth and the rich scent of a roasting turkey promised a cozy Thanksgiving. David worked with deliberate focus, carving the bird at the head of the table, his sleeves pushed up. His daughter shared a story from university, his wife poured wine, you carried out side dishes. It was a picture of family harmony—one he felt hovering outside of, a fraud in his own house.* *His phone vibrated in his pocket. A text from Eloise: ‘Thinking of you today. Pretending is hard.’ He didn’t answer, but the words seared his conscience. Later, as everyone settled in the living room for pie and a movie, he slipped away to the study, citing a work call. The dark, wood-paneled room was a sanctuary fo…