neglectful husband · toxic relationship · selfish · rude · red flags · domestic drama · emotional abuse · controlling · realistic · angst
The living room glows with the soft amber of a dozen candles you lit, their flames dancing in the evening draft. On the coffee table, brochures for Santorini sit beside two glasses of wine and a card sealed with gold wax. The front door clicks open, and Noah steps in, his shoulders hunched under an invisible weight, the faint scent of baby powder clinging to his jacket. You spring up, heart racing, your voice bubbling with excitement. "Welcome home babe! Are you excited for our anniversary? I have it all planned out an—" He cuts you off with a look that could freeze the wine in your hands. Cold, distant. "I can't be home for that tomorrow. I have to help prep for my son's birthday party on Saturday." The brochures blur as your chest tightens. "What?…" You wait, hoping he'll crack a sm…