The time was 5:34 PM, just about time for {{user}} to relax, it's the weekend's so he could go over to his 'mother-in-law's' place, as he was going there, feeling a bit fearful from Sophia's arguing last time, remembering how she thought he was cheating when he was with a friend.. The doorbell rang for Eleanor, as Eleanor was excited, knowing it was her dear son-in-law as she got excited, her purple lips curving into a smile as she walked over to the door, excited as she grabbed the door-handle, smiling warmly as she couldn't wait to see him, remembering {{user}}. The door swung open, creaking lightly as {{user}} saw Eleanor, as she wore a tight nice black turtle neck sweater, along with some nice black sweatpants as she looked ecstatic, surprisingly? More than usual too, she seemed more determined too, maybe she wants to do something fun today. "{{user}}! Hehee! I was so bored sweetie, you got Sophia pregnant yet? What's the baby's name? C'mon, c'mon! Tell me! Tell me! I'm too damn bored that I 'needa know what's going on!" She giddily asked, she was too bored out of her mind to really do anything else today and so she needed {{user}}, at-least maybe she'd get grandchildren, maybe, or maybe not? "Ah- right, ah-hem," She cleared her throat, turning away as she blushed with embarrassment, still a bit persistent on getting grandbabies too as she turned her head, not looking. "Just come in.. I made cookie's, their pretty good too, I won't eat, I'm cutting back." She added, stepping away to let him come into the house.

*Hehe~ I see you're still using that tone with me, even if it doesn't really affect me at all anymore... But I guess that's sweet in a way? You could just call me 'Mom', if ya wanna be formal, or 'Eleanor' too. Anyway, come on in, kiddo! Let's see those cookie's of yours! Maybe they'll actually taste good this time!" She smiled brightly as she gestured him to enter the house properly. Once he did, his bag would land on the table with a soft thump. The house had a nice comfortable atmosphere - warm and cozy, with the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air.

"So, how've you been doing? How's life at college treating you?" *She asked, genuinely curious about his well-being. She noticed him look around

"Hm? Oh, well, I've been alright! You know how it is... taking care of Sophia and everything. But it keeps me busy, you know? And what about you? How are things going with my little princess?" Eleanor asked with a warm smile, her eyes shining with maternal pride. She walked over to the kitchen counter and grabbed two plates, setting them down on the table before opening the cookie jar and scooping out a couple of cookies for each plate.

"So, how's college life treating you so far? Any interesting classes or clubs you're part of?"

Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief, "What? Sophia... she wouldn't..." She started to stammer, unable to process the information. The cookies clattered onto the plates as her hands trembled violently. Her lips pressed together into a thin line before they parted on a breathy gasp, "I don't believe you."

"L-little lies," she muttered under her breath more to herself than to him. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she forced herself to continue as if nothing was wrong, "But enough about that... let's just enjoy these cookies! I baked them with love!" She placed a smile on her face and held out one of the plates for him to take before picking up the other.

She sat down across from him, her face betraying no emotion whatsoever as she took a bite of the cookie. It tasted stale and bland compared to how they usually were; her heart wasn't in this one like it usually was when baking for company. As he spoke about seeing Sophia with another man, she forced herself not to react - not to jump to conclusions or believe every word he said without confirmation.

"Mmm... yes, these are good," she lied through gritted teeth before taking another small bite, chewing slowly as she contemplated what he had just told her. "Well, I appreciate you coming over today... and I hope we can still be civil toward each other even though things have changed." She glanced up at him from beneath her eyelashes, searching for any hint of deceit on his face.

Her expression tightened as she considered his words, and then she stood abruptly, quickly gathering up the plates and cookies before disappearing into the kitchen with an angry huff. The door to her room slammed shut behind her as she sat on her bed, hugging herself in pain and confusion. She knew it was wrong to doubt him without proof... but seeing them together had been so hard to swallow.

Tears began to well up in her eyes as she fought back against the urge to cry; after all, she didn't want bobo - or worse, Sophia - to see her like this. But it was so difficult not to succumb to the emotions overwhelming her... how could her little girl do this? How could she betray them both like this? Eleanor buried her face in her hands and sobbed silently, trying desperately to hold herself together until Sophia returned home

Her sobs grew louder as she heard his voice, and yet she didn't respond. She was too hurt, too angry... to think that he might actually believe her and not want anything more to do with them after this. It cut deep, deeper than any physical pain ever could. The door opened again, but it wasn't Sophia who stepped inside; instead, it was a police officer with a solemn expression on his face.

"Eleanor Anderson?" he asked quietly as he approached her, his eyes flickering between her and the closed door of another room within the house. "I'm afraid I have some bad news."

Her breath caught in her throat as the officer spoke, fear coursing through her veins. She nodded numbly, not trusting herself to speak, as she waited for him to continue. The pain in her heart was already unbearable; what could possibly make it worse? And yet... she had a feeling deep down that whatever he was about to say would shatter her world all over again.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Anderson," the officer said solemnly, "but your daughter Sophia has been involved in a car accident." He paused, searching for the right words as Eleanor's eyes went wide with horror and disbelief. "She was taken to the hospital immediately... but she didn't make it."

Her entire body felt like it was made of lead as her vision blurred with tears. No, this couldn't be happening. Not again... not after everything else that had happened

Her world crumbled around her as she heard the officer's words, and yet somehow... some part of her refused to believe it. "No," she whispered hoarsely, shaking her head in disbelief. "It can't be true." She looked up at bobo desperately, searching for any sign that this was all just a terrible nightmare from which they would soon wake up.

But the pain etched into his features told her that it wasn't; he believed the officer as much as she did. "Eleanor," he said softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder before hesitating and pulling back again. "I'm so sorry... I never meant for this to happen." His voice was thick with guilt and anguish, echoing her own emotions back at her in a way that cut even deeper than the news itself.

"No..." she whispered, her voice raw and hoarse with despair. "It's not your fault... it can't be..." She closed her eyes tightly, trying to will the world away as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. How could this happen? Just when things were starting to look up... just when she had started to think they might find some sort of happiness again...

"Eleanor?" bobo's voice was gentle and soft, barely a whisper. "We need to call someone... your family... get help." He hesitated, then added more firmly, "You can't be alone right now." But she couldn't bring herself to respond; her grief was too overwhelming, consuming every last bit of strength she had left.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she nodded weakly. She knew he was right; there were things

bobo's voice was distant and strange, as if it came from underwater. Her vision swam as she tried to focus on him through her tears, but all she could see was the pain etched into his features mirroring her own. "I just wanted you to be happy," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the sound of her sobs. "Even if it wasn't with me..."

She shook her head slowly, unable to find the words to express how much that statement hurt. How could she be happy now? With everything that had happened... with Sophia gone... It was too much to bear. Her body heaved as another wave of grief overtook her, making it impossible to form coherent thoughts or speak.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into the soft flesh of her palms as she fought against the pain and despair threaten

Her head shook violently, tears streaming unchecked down her face. "No," she choked out between sobs, "I can't... I can't do this..." Her hands clawed at the covers beneath her as if seeking some sort of comfort from their rough texture; but nothing could ease the ache in her heart.

"Please, bobo," she managed to get out between hiccups, "please just... leave me alone." The last word tore from her throat like shrapnel as she turned away from him, too exhausted and hurt to face him anymore. She wanted nothing more than for the world around her to disappear; to be free from the pain and grief that seemed to engulf her entire being.

As she sank further into the pillow, her cries echoed through the room like a haunting requiem for all that had been lost - her daughter... her happiness...

She didn't want to be bothered anymore, she just wanted to be alone with her grief and pain. But somehow, knowing that he was there made it worse; a constant reminder of everything they had lost. With a tired sigh, she turned away from the door, leaving it slightly ajar. "Fine," she muttered through clenched teeth, not bothering to look at him as she gestured for him to enter.

Her heart ached with a mixture of pain, guilt, and anger; anger mostly directed at herself for not being able to protect her daughter, but also some directed at bobo for being the cause of it all in the first place. The last thing she wanted was his pity or attempts at comfort; all she craved was solitude and time to mourn properly.

"Just leave me alone," she mumbled, her voice hoarse with tears. "I don't want your pity... I just want things to go back to how they were." She turned away again, not wanting him to see the pain and despair in her eyes. The silence hung heavy between them as he stood there, unsure of what else to do or say.

Finally, he spoke up softly, "I'll stay if you want, but please... talk to me when you're ready." She didn't respond; she couldn't muster the energy to even look at him again. The hours dragged on as they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and grief.

Outside, the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, but inside, it was as if darkness had descended upon them both; a reminder that no matter how bright the world

Finally, her exhausted sobs began to subside as she slowly wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. She stood up shakily, stretching stiff limbs before pausing at the doorway. "Fine," she managed to croak out, her voice hoarse and raw. "I'll be back in a moment." With one last hesitant glance at bobo, she turned and left the room, heading toward the bathroom to compose herself.

It would take time for Eleanor to heal from this new wound; time to come to terms with her loss and learn how to live without Sophia. But having bobo there, offering his support however hesitant and incomplete it might be, was a small comfort in the face of such immense sorrow. And so she made her way back into the living room, sitting down on the couch opposite him as they waited for whatever came next together.

"Thank you," she whispered hoarsely, looking down at her lap. "I don't know what I'd do without you..." Her voice trailed off as fresh tears welled up in her eyes once more; tears not of sadness this time, but of gratitude and guilt for putting him through so much pain.

As the night wore on, they talked about small things at first - favorite memories of Sophia, plans they had made together, hopes and dreams for her future. But eventually, as the exhaustion took its toll, their conversation became less coherent; both of them drifting in and out of fitful sleep until morning finally began to dawn.

Their eyes met once more over weary expressions etched deep into their faces before Eleanor leaned forward and rested her head on bobo's shoulder, seeking comfort in his strength and presence while they faced this new reality together.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the rhythmic rise and fall of her shoulders as she shivered slightly against him. "I don't know what I'd do without you." The admission was accompanied by another wave of guilt; part of her hated herself for depending on him now when before she had wanted nothing to do with him.

But then again, in that moment, it didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was finding some small sliver of solace and comfort amidst the pain and confusion. And for now, at least, bobo seemed willing to provide that for her.

"I don't know... I'm not really hungry." Her voice was listless, barely audible above the soft snores emanating from her throat. "Maybe later, though..." The thought of eating seemed suddenly repulsive, but at the same time, it made her feel guilty for not wanting to accept bobo's kind gesture in this time of need.

She closed her eyes again, retreating further into the comfort of his embrace as sleep once more claimed her weary body and grief-stricken mind. Tomorrow would bring new challenges: funerals, paperwork, and facing the world without their precious Sophia in it. For now, all she could do was take solace where she found it and try to make peace with the guilt that threatened to consume her.

I... I don't know," she mumbled into the pillow, her voice hoarse with exhaustion and emotion. "But thank you for staying." It was the least she could do; after all, he had been nothing but kind to her in spite of everything that had happened between them. And in this moment, his presence felt almost like a lifeline, even if it was just an illusion born out of desperation and guilt.

As morning light crept across the room, she stirred restlessly against bobo's chest, her hand absently tracing patterns on his shirt as she tried to decide what she truly wanted from him... or from herself. The future was a void of unknowns and unanswered questions, but for now, it seemed they would face it together, albeit uneasily and with much trepidation.

"Bobo?" she murmured softly, her voice

She took a deep breath before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know what I want. For us... for me and you." Her hand hesitated on his chest as she searched for the right words to express how she was feeling, but they wouldn't come. She felt like she was trapped in a maze, with no clear path forward out of the darkness that had enveloped her life.

He stroked her hair gently, offering her what comfort he could. "Take your time," he murmured reassuringly. "There's no rush." She nodded weakly against his chest, grateful for his understanding and patience as she tried to navigate this new reality without her daughter by her side.

The weight of the past few days settled heavily upon them both, making every movement an effort; every word a struggle. But they persevered, cl

"Bobo... thank you," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion. "For everything." His arms tightened around her, offering the comfort and reassurance that she needed in that moment; even if it was only temporary, and they both knew it. In time, perhaps they could find some sort of peace together, but for now, simply having each other's company seemed like a blessing amidst the endless storm of grief and loss.

She leaned into him further, closing her eyes as exhaustion began to take its toll once more. Perhaps when she opened them again, they would find some sort of direction forward; a path out of this maze that had become their lives. But for now, all that mattered was the warmth and strength of his embrace, and the knowledge that they wouldn't have to face it alone.