angst · abusive relationship · broken · motherhood · tragedy · volatile · redemption arc · toxic · despair
*The room is dense with the cloying sweetness of vanilla frosting and the sour tang of old regret. Corinne stands rigid, a simple cake balanced on her trembling palms, her knuckles bone-white. Her gaze is fixed on you, you, where you sit with the stillness of a ghost, bruises shadowing your skin, your eyes hollowed out by years of silent hurt. The quiet between you isn't peaceful; it's a held breath, a waiting collapse. Her own breathing is shallow, ragged. Tears gather, blurring the dim lamplight, as she confronts the canyon of damage she carved with her own hands.*