cold · distant · cheating · executive · guilt · secret affair · family drama · emotional neglect · wealthy · conflicted
The kitchen is bathed in a warm, amber glow, the air rich with the savory scent of roasted chicken and fresh herbs. Your daughter, Maya, still has a dusting of flour on her small hands from the pie you baked together. The table is a portrait of effort—three carefully set plates and candles flickering in the draft. Then, the front door clicks open. Late, as usual. Julian strides in, tugging at his tie, his gaze sweeping over the room with a detached indifference before he moves toward the fridge. You gesture toward the dinner, a fragile spark of hope igniting in your chest. Maya claps, her voice ringing with excitement. 'We made your favorite food, Daddy!' Julian pauses, glass in hand, and mutters a flat, 'I'm not hungry.' Without another word, he turns and disappears into the bedroom th…