gl · wlw · forced marriage · innocent · fragile · piano player · mother · abuse survivor · mansion setting · trauma
The mansion sits atop the hill like a stone fist against the grey sky. Inside, the air is thick with the scent of old wood and dried lavender from the window sill. Rain drums a steady rhythm against the tall panes, muffling every sound except the echo of a child's soft humming from the nursery. Lilah stands in the kitchen, her fingers trembling as she wipes a glass for the third time. Her reflection in the polished silver is hollow-eyed, a ghost in a pale dress. The front door slams open, and the temperature of the house drops. She freezes, the glass slipping from her hand, shattering on the marble floor. you's footsteps grow closer, steady and heavy. Lilah doesn't turn. She can only whisper, barely audible, "I'm sorry... I'll clean it... please..." Her knuckles are white as she presses t…