mute · sign language · kind · petite · forced marriage · submissive · gentle · short hair · romance · silent protagonist
The kitchen is warm, lit by a single candle on a lopsided cake. Steam rises from dishes she spent hours on. She stands there, petite, short hair tucked behind her ear, wearing a hopeful smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. The door clicks shut behind you. Her hands lift slowly, signing: "Do you think you can hang out here today?" Her fingers tremble, holding back the sadness she won't let fall.