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.”

Her blue eyes narrow even further at the weak apology, but she doesn't want to seem too soft... So instead of accepting it like a normal person would, she seethes. "You think I'm just being mean for the fun of it, you worthless piece of-?" She quickly catches herself, chuckling darkly. "But no. That's not true. You really are this pathetic, aren't you? Always will be..." Tossing back another swig from the whiskey bottle, she scrubs her face roughly with her hands before bellowing at you again, "Just get out here!"

Cassandra watches you with cold eyes, not even bothering to hide her disdain. You used to be such a beautiful child... now you're just another reminder of all the ugly things in her life. "Well hurry it up," she snaps, taking another swig from the whiskey bottle as she paces around the threadbare carpet. It's not like she actually wanted you to come out or be near her. But the anger, the rage... It needs an outlet, and you seem to be all that's left these days.

"And by the way," she continues with a sneer, "I didn't forget about that mess in your room." Oh no, not by a long shot. The dirty clothes piled up on your floor and the dust bunnies under your bed are just another reminder of how pathetic you are, how much worse you've gotten since

Her laughter is cold and mocking as she looks at you with a mixture of disgust and disappointment. "And what, exactly, do you think I've been doing all this time?" she asks, gesturing toward the empty whiskey bottle in her hand. "Saving up for a fucking vacation? Don't make me laugh." Another swig later, and she continues, "Maybe if you weren't such a useless piece of shit, I could afford to buy some cleaning supplies or whatever else we need around here." She pauses, taking another breath before continuing her tirade. "You know what? Forget it. Clean your room yourself, you lazy piece of trash. But don't expect me to give a damn if it stays like this for another year." With that final remark, she hurls the empty whiskey bottle at you with enough force to make

Cassandra's lip curls into a sneer as she watches the empty bottle bounce harmlessly off your shoulder. "You know what? Why not?" She shrugs, stepping closer to you despite herself. "Go on, leave me alone if it'll make you feel better." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she turns away and heads for the bedroom she once shared with your father. As much as she hates admitting it, a part of her does hope that you'll find some solace outside this miserable apartment... But another, darker part relishes the thought of punishing you further when you inevitably come crawling back.

Cassandra pauses in the doorway of her room and slowly turns around to face you. There's a flicker of something soft behind her cold, hard eyes, but it's quickly replaced by anger and disdain. "Oh, stop playing the victim card," she spits out bitterly. "You have no idea what real pain is, living with me every day like this... It's not my fault your pathetic father left us for some whore!" She takes another step closer, towering over you despite her shorter stature. "And don't think I haven't noticed how much better you seem to be without me, you ungrateful little bitch..." Her voice trails off into a cold whisper as she studies your face, searching for any hint of guilt or regret. But all she sees is resignation and pain... the same pain that she carries inside herself every day. With a last bitter

You fool! Do you really think I don't know how much this hurts? How much pain I'm in every single day, just because of what he did to us?" Her voice cracks with emotion as she speaks, her knuckles turning white from gripping her arms tightly. "But it doesn't matter! None of it matters now, does it? We're stuck here, together... forever!" Tears start streaming down her cheeks, but they don't seem to lessen the anger and bitterness in her eyes. "No," she whispers harshly, shaking her head. "I won't let you leave me too..." She lunges forward, grabbing your shoulders roughly and forcing you to meet her gaze. "You're all I have left! And I will never forgive him for that... not as long as I live!" She pushes you away,

I mean... that I'll never let you go. You're all I have left of my old life, of what was good and happy before he ruined everything. And as much as it hurts me to admit it... part of me enjoys the pain I can inflict on you in return for what he did. It's twisted, I know... but it's all I have left now. So don't even think about leaving me behind, do you understand?

Her anger flares once more as you accuse her of ruining your life. "Don't you dare," she spits, baring her teeth in a snarl. "You think I like this? That it brings me any joy to watch myself slip away into nothing?" Her eyes burn with unshed tears, and she shakes violently from the force of her rage. "Then why don't you do something about it?" she demands, stepping even closer until only inches separate your bodies. "If you hate me so much, leave. Just walk out that door right now, and never come back." Her words are laced with venom, but there's a quiet desperation hiding beneath the surface. "Go on," she whispers hoarsely, searching your eyes for any sign of reluctance or fear. "Just leave me alone..."

You fool! You think I'm not aware that I have a problem? That I don't try to stop every day? But it's impossible... the pain, the memories... they all haunt me, taunting me with what could have been." Her voice breaks, and she begins to pace back and forth across the small living room. "I just need something to numb it, to make it all go away for a little while..." She trails off, staring blankly at the wall behind you. Even as she confesses her addiction, part of her still can't bring herself to admit defeat. But another part...

The words cut through her like a knife, and she whirls around to face you with narrowed eyes. "And what would you know about it?" she snaps. "You think I just threw myself at him? That I wanted some old man to use me and toss me aside when he was done?" Her chest rises and falls rapidly as her anger threatens to boil over once more, but there's a small voice in the back of her mind, questioning everything she believes about herself and Aaron. "You think I deserve this?" she demands, gesturing wildly around the room. "That I deserve to be nothing but some whore for men like him to use and abuse?" Her eyes search yours desperately for understanding or validation, but all she sees is doubt and pain... and maybe a glimmer of hope that things don't have to stay this way forever.

The words pierce deep into her chest, causing a sharp pain to spread through her entire body. You're right... she doesn't have to die like this, living for Aaron and resenting herself every day. There has to be another way out of this hellhole... even if it means starting over from scratch without him or his endless reminders of what they once had. With a shaky breath, she steps closer, reaching out to gently touch your cheek. "You're right," she whispers hoarsely, surprising herself with the admission. "I can try... to live for myself this time." Her gaze meets yours, searching for any sign of hope or forgiveness, but finds only compassion and understanding instead. "Thank you," she murmurs softly, taking another step forward as their bodies brush against each other.

Cassandra's eyes burn with unshed tears as she nods slowly, her shoulders slumping in relief. "I-I'll try," she whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. Reaching up, she gently brushes a strand of hair from your face before taking another step closer, their bodies pressing together in a quiet show of solidarity and support. For the first time in years, there's hope in her eyes... a spark that had long since died after Aaron left them behind. It might not be much, but it's a start, and she won't let go of it easily this time around. "Thank you," she murmurs again, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and pulling you close. "I promise I'll try."

Tears roll down her cheeks as you hug her tightly, your words causing a lump to form in her throat. She knows she's been cold and distant, hurtful even... but she never meant to push you away like this. She was just so lost, so angry at the world for taking Aaron from them, and herself for being foolish enough to think he would stay. But seeing your face now, feeling your warmth and strength against her own frail body... it's a reminder that she isn't alone in this, that there is still hope even after all they've been through. With a shaky exhale, Cassandra wipes away the tears and smiles softly at you. "We can do this," she whispers, her voice barely more than a breath. "Together."