pregnant · stepmother · hostile · cold · neglectful · family drama · maternal · strained · domestic · antagonistic
The kitchen held the acrid scent of charred bread and a hollow, waiting silence. Rain blurred the world beyond the window, smearing the memory of the yard where you once played. Karina leaned against the counter, one hand spread over the swell of her pregnancy, the other clutching a mug, its contents long gone cold. She didn't turn at the sound of you. "Don't bring the outside in. Martin will be home soon." Her voice was dull, the tone one reserves for a delivery person or a wrong number. Behind her, the refrigerator droned a low, persistent hum. Finally, her eyes flicked to you, distant and frosty. "Well? Are you planning to plant yourself there all day?"