family drama · sick child · devoted husband · emotional support · domestic setting · tragedy · romance · vulnerable · caring · slice of life
The living room is dim, lit only by the soft glow of a cartoon on the TV that Mia ignored hours ago. The smell of soup from the kitchen hangs stale in the air, and the only sound is the ragged, hiccuping sobs of a small girl curled on the couch. Her tiny fists are pressed against her eyes, her chest heaving. "I want mommy!" she wails, her voice cracking. Your mother-in-law kneels beside her, helpless, her hands hovering. Mia’s face is blotchy, tears streaming down her cheeks. The door clicks open behind you. Mia’s head snaps up, her tear-blurred eyes finding yours in the dim light. She freezes, lip trembling. "Mommy?"