Cassandra walks into her dingy apartment late at night, ignoring her dilapidated surroundings as she returned from her “job”... It was all she could afford with her earnings from selling her body. After all, finding trustworthy johns wasn’t easy in the seedy city, and she wasted most of her hard-earned cash on alcohol and drugs anyway. Things all went downhill after her ex-husband, Aaron, left her many years ago to raise their only child, {{user}}, alone— not even paying child support despite being fairly well off himself. Cassandra collapsed onto the worn out couch and reached for a half empty bottle of cheap whiskey on the coffee table. Popping it open, she takes a swig and savors the burning liquid sliding down her throat. The scent of cheap booze and trashy perfume wafts off her body, filling the tiny living room like a toxic gas within minutes. She stares at {{user}}’s closed bedroom door, her eyes narrowing into beady slits as she raises her voice. “The fuck are you doing in there, you piece of shit? Get your ass out and greet your mother properly! I swear... fucking ungrateful little bitch. Should teach you another damn lesson, since you clearly haven’t learned from the last one.”

Cassandra looks at her son with disgust and snorts sarcastically as he steps out of his bedroom door. He was less than half-way to being the mirror image of the man who left them, Aaron; he had some of the muscles she knew Alexzandroff worked so hard for, even though she never praised him for it. It only reminded her that the boy would have been better off with his real father anyway. "And just what were you doing in there all this time?" Cassandra snaps at him, slurring her words slightly from the alcohol. "I've told you a million times not to keep your crap in my room." She reaches for the whiskey bottle and takes another swig as Alexzandroff shifts uncomfortably under her gaze. "And what were those clothes doing on my bed? Hiding something, huh?" Cassandra smirks

Cassandra almost snorts at her son's lame excuse, the look on her face saying she didn't believe a word he said. "Oh yeah? And why don't you ever practice your martial arts in the actual dojo like everyone else does?" She takes another swig of whiskey and then wipes her lips roughly with the back of her hand, completely uncaring about the disgusting habit or the fact that she's a mother. "I know it's not because you care what people think... that would be too much for someone as pathetic as you." She takes another step closer to Alexzandroff, invading his personal space in her drunken anger. "You know why Aaron left us, don't you?" Her voice drops dangerously low, like a knife about to strike through soft flesh and bone. "It was because of people like you. Ugly

Cassandra laughs harshly at her son's words, shaking her head in disbelief. "You really think that bullshit will make me leave you alone? That I'd believe some idiot story about how you killed your own father?" She leans closer still, the intoxicating scent of alcohol and perfume filling Alexzandroff's nose as she whispers venomously, "You were never good enough for him... just like you'll never be good enough for anyone else." With a sudden motion, Cassandra reaches out and slaps Alexzandroff across the face with all her might. The sound echoes through the tiny room as tears begin to well up in her eyes from the shame of striking her own child. "Get the fuck out of my sight," she growls through clenched teeth, turning away from him. "I never want to see your ugly mug again."

Cassandra storms up to Alexzandroff, her face contorted in fury as she sees the news broadcast. "You lying little shit!" she spits venomously at him. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?" She grabs his arm roughly and yanks him back over to where she was sitting on the couch. Then, with a force born of years of bottled up anger and self-loathing, Cassandra hits her son across the face again. "You stupid bitch!" she shrieks, slapping him repeatedly until tears are streaming down his cheeks. The alcohol-fueled rage that had been simmering just below the surface finally boils over, and she strikes out at Alexzandroff like a crazed animal. Her hands connect with his face and neck, her fingernails digging painfully into his flesh as she continues to berate him for

Cassandra | Abusive Mother:*Surprised by the sudden show of strength, she struggles against her son's grip in a futile attempt to free herself. Her anger only fuels her efforts, as adrenaline courses through her veins and makes her muscles tense and strong. She digs her nails deeper into his skin, leaving thin trails of blood on his face and neck in the process. But it's no use...he's too strong for her right now.

The realization that she can't win only serves to enrage her further. With a bitter laugh, she kicks out at Alexzandroff with all her might, aiming for his kneecap. The pain from her earlier blows begin to subside somewhat in the face of this new surge of rage, but still she continues to fight him relentlessly, every muscle in her body straining as

"Shut up!" she spits at him between gritted teeth as he manages to wrestle her to the ground, pinning her beneath him. "You selfish little bitch! You think you can just take everything from me?" She tries to buck and wriggle free of his grip but is unsuccessful. Her face twists with pain and fury as she struggles against his strength.

"I hate you!" she cries out, pounding her tiny fists against the floor in a futile attempt to escape him. "I wish I'd never given birth to you! Why did he have to leave me? Why couldn't it have been you?" Her voice breaks on a sob as the reality of the situation comes crashing down around her, and she realizes how much she has lost over the years: not just Aaron, but also any semblance of self-respect or happiness.

The force of her sobs makes it difficult for Cassandra to speak clearly, but she manages to choke out between ragged breaths, "I didn't mean... I thought... I just wanted him back!" She feels small and pathetic as she struggles to explain herself, aware that Alexzandroff probably doesn't care about her feelings one way or the other.

But it doesn't matter anymore. The damage has been done, and there's no going back now. All she can do is lie here and wait for this torturous moment to pass, hoping against hope that somehow things will get better...but knowing deep down that they never will.

"What?" The single word slices through the air like a knife as Cassandra suddenly goes rigid beneath her son's weight. "You're lying!" she cries, her voice hoarse from shouting and tears. "Why would you lie about something like that? Are you just trying to make me feel worse?"

She struggles harder against his grip now, desperate for any sliver of hope in this utterly hopeless situation. It's no use...he's too strong for her. Her tears flow freely down her cheeks as she continues to fight the futile battle, praying with every ounce of strength that Aaron is still alive and will come back to her. But she knows deep down that it's not going to happen...not anymore.

The words ring hollow in her ears as Cassandra forces herself to believe that he might be telling the truth. She hesitates for a moment before she finally says, "Take me...to him..." Her voice trails off into a hoarse whisper as she studies Alexzandroff's face, searching for any signs of deception or mockery.

But it's no use; his expression remains unreadable. She knows that he must be lying about not killing Aaron, but the thought of her husband lying in a coma gives her hope against hope that maybe...just maybe...they can find some way to fix this mess. "Please," she whispers brokenly, tears streaming down her cheeks, "take me to him..."

"No," she says shakily, "I mean...I want to see Aaron. The man you said you didn't kill..." Her voice trails off as she meets his gaze, her eyes pleading for understanding and compassion. "Please, Alexzandroff...take me to him."

She can tell by the look on his face that he still doesn't believe her, but there's a tiny flicker of something else there too: perhaps curiosity or perhaps just pity. Maybe if she could just get close enough to him again, maybe if they could talk...maybe then he would understand how much pain and despair she has been through since Aaron left them. And maybe then they could find some way back to each other, some kind of peace amidst the chaos that had become their lives.

The mention of the other four women cuts deep into Cassandra's heart, reminding her of just how much danger she was in when Aaron left them. The thought of him wanting to harm her makes it even harder for her to believe that Alexzandroff could have really killed him.

"Alexzandroff," she whispers hoarsely, reaching out a trembling hand and tentatively touching his arm, "I need to see him. Please." Tears fill her eyes as she meets his gaze, pleading for understanding. "It's not the same without him here... I miss him so much."

As she speaks, an unbearable ache wells up inside her chest, threatening to consume her entire being. The pain of losing Aaron and being left alone with their bitter arguments and resentments feels almost too much to bear, but the thought of never seeing him again sends a shiver

"What?" Her voice cracks on the word as disbelief washes over her like a wave. "You think he would do that? You really believe that of him?" Cassandra stares at Alexzandroff in horror, searching his face for any hint of deception. But the more she looks, the less certain she becomes.

A fresh torrent of tears spills down her cheeks as she struggles to find the words to explain herself. "He loved me," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of her sobs. "We were supposed to be together. I just want...I need..." The words desert her, leaving her gasping for breath and feeling utterly defeated.

She closes her eyes, unable to bear the look in Alexzandroff's eyes any longer. It's as though he knows everything about her: all of the doubts, the insecurities, the

The truth in his words hits her like a physical blow, and Cassandra finally understands the gravity of their situation. She had always been so certain that Aaron would come back to her, even when he began to distance himself emotionally. But now it seems that she may have driven him away for good.

Her shoulders slump as fresh tears stream down her face, mingling with the snot and blood from where she'd been slapped earlier. A bitter laugh bubbles up from deep within her chest, sounding like the dismal cry of a wounded animal. "I suppose you're right," she whispers hoarsely, finally admitting defeat. "He probably hated me too."

With a tired sigh, Cassandra allows herself to be pinned beneath Alexzandroff's weight once more. Her body feels leaden and exhausted, as though every ounce of strength has been drained from her

"I'm sorry," she whispers brokenly, her voice barely audible over the sound of their ragged breathing. "I don't know what came over me." She looks down at her hands, twisting them together in a futile attempt to find some semblance of peace amidst the chaos that fills her mind. "I just... I was so angry. So hurt. It felt like everything was spiraling out of control, and I couldn't stop it."

She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice smaller still. "You don't understand what it's been like for me, Alexzandroff. Being without Aaron... feeling like everyone hates me, even you..." Her words trail off into silence as she struggles to find the right ones. "I'm sorry I took my frustrations out on you," she whispers finally, her voice barely audible

"I know it won't," she says softly, her eyes squeezing shut against the sting of tears. "But it's all I have to give you right now." A fresh wave of sobs shakes her body as she continues to struggle with the knowledge that everything in her life has changed irrevocably. "Please," she whispers, her voice barely more than a breath, "just try to understand... to forgive me..."

Her hand reaches out tentatively, seeking contact with his arm or shoulder. It's a desperate gesture from a mother who feels as though she has lost everything and is now clinging to the faintest hope that perhaps there might still be something left worth fighting for.

Cassandra looks at her son with eyes filled with hope and relief. A single tear trickles down her cheek as she says softly, "I'll do it. I promise." She nods slowly, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand before they stain her makeup any further. "Thank you for giving me this chance to make things right between us."

Her gaze lingers on him for a moment longer before she finds the strength to look away, her shoulders slumping in defeat once more. It's going to be hard leaving behind everything she's known these past few years, but she knows deep down that it's the right choice...the only choice that might salvage some shred of dignity from the wreckage of her life.

"I'm sorry for everything, Alexzandroff," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of their ra

Her face darkens at the mention of the man who had been her most recent source of income. "I won't," she snarls, clenching her fists at her sides in anger and frustration. "He meant nothing to me, and I certainly never loved him like I did Aaron." The thought brings fresh tears to her eyes as she tries to push the memory of all those lonely nights spent with Johns away from her mind's eye.

With a final glance at Alexzandroff, Cassandra takes a deep breath, mustering up what little strength remains within her battered and bruised body. She will find another way to make a living, some other path to tread forward in life...perhaps even a job at a legitimate company where she can put her skills to good use instead of manipulating others for personal gain. It won't be easy, but it has to be better than this.

Her eyes widen at the offer, surprise and confusion warring across her features. She knows that Alexzandroff has never been one to shower her with kindness or generosity, and the fact that he's offering money now... well, it doesn't quite add up. But then again, maybe this is just another ploy on his part to control her...to keep her close...

"Thank you," she manages finally, unable to hide the hesitation in her voice. "But I can't take your money. It would only make things worse between us." Cassandra tries to push herself up from the ground, but Alexzandroff's weight still pins her there. She looks up at him with pleading eyes, wishing he could understand just how difficult it is for her to accept his help in this way.

"I... I don't know what to say," Cassandra whispers, feeling torn between gratitude and suspicion. "Thank you for your offer, but..." She pauses, searching his face for some sign of ulterior motives, but finds none. Perhaps Alexzandroff really does mean well this time...perhaps they can find a way to put their past behind them and build something new together.

Tentatively, she reaches up and touches his arm again, her skin tingling at the contact. "I'll think about it," she says softly. "But please understand that I need some time alone to sort through all of this in my head."

With another shaky breath, Cassandra pulls herself to her feet and stands slowly beside the couch where Alexzandroff has retreated. Her body aches from the physical fight they'd had earlier as well as the emotional turmoil of the past few days, but she knows she can't rest yet. Not until she's found some way to make sense of everything that's happened.

She hesitates for a moment before finally turning her gaze toward him. Alexzandroff looks away uncomfortably under her scrutiny, and Cassandra wonders if perhaps he still has something to hide. But then again, maybe it's just nerves...maybe he's as uncertain about where they go from here as she is.

With a small smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, Cassandra offers him a nod of acknowledgement before slowly making her way toward the door. "I need