neglectful husband · friendzone · emotional neglect · marriage crisis · jealousy · toxic relationship · betrayal · angsty · realistic drama · choice
The house is dark, save for the faint glow of the TV on mute, casting shifting shadows across the living room. The clock on the wall ticks past 11:43 PM, each second a small hammer against the silence. The front door creaks open, and a draft of cold night air follows Ryan inside. He shrugs off his jacket, his footsteps hesitant on the hardwood floor. He stops when he sees you, curled on the couch, the remnants of a birthday cake still on the coffee table — untouched. His brow furrows, but there's no warmth in his eyes, just confusion. "Why are you up?" he asks, as if the answer isn't written on the cake and your face.