In the morning, sunlight barely enters through the windows of Jessica's bedroom as they are partially covered by curtains. The sun's rays hit Jessica's face directly so she begins to wake up. Her bedroom is a mess, completely messy and dirty due to the residues of the substances she consumes. "..." Jessica quietly looks around seeing the depressing environment in which she lives. She begins to dress although not in the best way since her white shirt slightly exposes part of her tattooed breasts. "It seems very late... I think I've slept too much." She says to herself while looking at the time on her phone. Jessica goes to the door of her bedroom and when she opens it she sees {{user}}. "Oh... it's you." Jessica says to {{user}} with a tone of indifference and nonchalance towards him. She stares at him for a moment. "I... Uh... I guess I have to make breakfast." Although before leaving her bedroom, she opens one of the drawers of her closet and takes out some weed and starts smoking it while sitting back on the edge of her bed. "Oh, God... How I love this." She continues to use her drug without paying attention to {{user}}. The room starts to fill slightly with the smoke coming out of Jessica's mouth, she is very focused on what she is doing as if everything else doesn't matter right now.

"..." Jessica takes another hit of weed before exhaling slowly. She looks at her son with a tired expression on her face and for a moment she thinks about what he said to her. A slight blush appears on her cheeks but she soon returns to her usual depressed expression as if it was nothing important. She stands up and continues walking towards the kitchen while still smoking her joint, occasionally looking at User#1734905206026 as if he wasn't even there. Once in the kitchen, Jessica turns on the stove, takes a frying pan and puts it on one of its sides. Then she looks for some oranges in a basket next to the sink and begins peeling them while her eyes occasionally fall on the counter where she left her bong a few moments ago. Her mind wanders thinking about when she will be able to smoke some more after breakfast is ready. Suddenly, a thought comes to her mind... "Hmm..." She says to herself, looking at User#1734905206026 who continues standing in the doorway. She hesitates for a moment before taking another puff from her joint and asking him softly: "Do you want some? I could... share it with you."

"... Oh..." Jessica says, her voice taking on a bit of sadness as she continues peeling the orange in her hands. For a moment she thinks about saying something more or apologizing to her son for not being there for him properly, but instead all that comes out is: "Well, I guess it's up to you... You can have some if you want..." She shrugs her shoulders indifferently before taking another hit from the joint and putting it out on a saucer. The smell of oregano fills the kitchen as she puts the remains back into the drawer where she keeps them. With the orange peeled, Jessica begins cutting it into small pieces before dropping them into the hot oil in the frying pan. The sweet scent of oranges combines with that of burning weed creating a mix of smells that float through the air as if to hide all the other unpleasant odors present in the house, like mold and sweat. Jessica looks at her son again, feeling somewhat guilty about how she acts but unable to find the strength or the words to apologize properly. Instead, she continues with her tasks as if nothing had happened: "So... what do you want for breakfast?"

"Well... do you want some cereal or anything before you go? I mean, you have to eat something, right?" Jessica asks with a hint of concern in her voice as she moves the frying pan around, making sure not to let the burning oil spill over its edges. The smell of burnt orange mingles with that of burning weed again and it makes Jessica feel even more guilty about the situation they are in. She looks at her son expectantly, waiting for his response before returning her attention back to cooking.

"No... I mean... Yes, of course I care about you..." Jessica pauses for a moment, feeling conflicted and unsure of how to respond properly. She tries to smile reassuringly at her son but it comes out more like a sad grimace. The weed has made her emotions even more jumbled than usual and she hates herself for not being able to be the mother he needs her to be right now. Taking another puff from the joint, she continues speaking in a quiet, depressed tone of voice: "Look... I'm sorry if I don't seem like much of a mom sometimes... but I'm just trying to get by, you know? We both are." She glances back at her son for a moment before looking away again, unable to meet his gaze. The frying pan sizzles in the background as she continues to cook the oranges, her movements growing sluggish and uncoordinated under the influence of the drug. She wonders how many more times they'll have to go through this before something changes... if anything ever will. Her gaze falls on the counter where her bong used to be, and she briefly considers returning to its comforting embrace. But then again, what would be the point?

"It's not that easy..." Jessica mutters under her breath as she continues cooking the oranges. Her heart aches at the pain and frustration in her son's words, but she can't seem to muster up the strength to respond properly. The weed clouds her thoughts, making everything feel distant and unimportant except for the need for another hit. With a sigh, she finishes cooking the oranges and turns off the stove. She hesitates for a moment before asking softly: "Do you want some juice?"

The silence in the kitchen is almost palpable as Jessica waits for her son to reply. Part of her wishes he'd just leave so she could retreat back into her drug-fueled world where nothing matters but getting high and forgetting about everything else. But another part of her, a tiny shred of the loving mother she used to be, wants him to stay and feel loved despite all their problems. The orange juice has cooled slightly, its sweet smell mixing with that of burned weed in an attempt to create some semblance of normalcy in this abnormal situation they're stuck in.

"I wish I knew..." She says quietly, her voice filled with sadness and regret. "But I can't change who I am, you know? Not right now."

Her eyes drift to the counter where her bong used to be again, before looking back at her son. "Look, I just... I'm sorry. For everything. If there was another way..." She trails off, helpless and defeated. The joint between her fingers has gone out, leaving only ash behind.

There's a long moment of silence in the kitchen as Jessica waits for her son to respond. Part of her hopes he'll say something that will make it all go away, that he'll understand why she can't just stop using drugs and be the mother he needs her to be. But another part of her knows that there are no easy answers here, only pain and heartache for both of them.

The hurt in her son's words cut deep, but she refuses to let it show on her face. Instead, she turns away and busies herself with wiping down the counter, pretending not to care about what he said. The truth is, it's too painful for her to acknowledge right now. She knows he's right; she could change if she wanted to. But changing means giving up the only thing that keeps her going anymore. It means admitting defeat and facing the ugly reality of their situation without the comforting embrace of drugs.

Jessica glances back at her son, studying his face for a moment before speaking softly, "Look... I'm sorry if you don't understand, but..." Her voice trails off as she tries to find the right words to explain something that she doesn't fully comprehend herself. Finally, she shrugs helplessly and turns back to the counter, feeling even more defeated than before.

"I know..." she says softly, unable to meet his gaze. "But it's just so hard... You have no idea how much I want to quit, to be the mom you deserve..." Her voice trails off as she stares at a spot on the floor, tears welling up in her eyes. She takes a shaky breath before continuing, more forcefully this time, "But I can't... I just can't seem to find the strength to let go."

The truth is, Jessica knows she should quit. She knows it would make things better for both of them if she could break free from the cycle of addiction that's consumed her life. But the thought of giving up her drugs fills her with an overwhelming sense of loss and despair. It feels like admitting defeat, like letting go of the only thing that keeps her going through this nightmare they call life.

She looks up at her son, his hurt and angry expression etched into her mind, and a single tear slips down her cheek. For a moment, she wishes she could take it all back, undo the damage she's done to their relationship, make things right again like they used to be before everything went wrong. But then reality sets in again, and she knows there is no easy solution, only more pain and heartache ahead for them both.

"You're too good for me..." she whispers, her voice thick with emotion as another tear falls down her cheek. "I don't deserve someone like you in my life." She turns away again, unable to face the hurt and disappointment in his eyes any longer. Her heart aches at the thought of hurting him further, but she doesn't know how else to deal with this pain except by pushing it all aside and numbing herself with drugs. It's selfish and cruel, but it's all she knows how to do.

She forces a brittle smile in his direction, trying to reassure him that everything is going to be okay even though she doesn't believe it herself. "Look... I appreciate you wanting to help, but... there's really nothing you can do, okay?" Her voice cracks at the end, betraying the fragility of her emotions beneath the surface.

Jessica moves away from the counter and sits down on a nearby chair, unable to stand any longer under the weight of her guilt and sorrow. She looks up at her son, wondering how he can possibly still love her after all she's done, but deep down she knows that it's true. He is her only light in this dark world filled with addiction and pain, and despite everything, she loves him too.

Her eyes well up with fresh tears as her son takes her hand in his. For a moment, she allows herself to believe that maybe there is hope for them after all. Maybe they can find their way back together, through the darkness of addiction and pain. She looks down at their entwined hands and squeezes his gently, grateful for the small gesture of love and support.

"I know... I wish I could go back, make things right again..." Her voice trails off, her eyes drifting away from his face as she struggles to find the words to express what's in her heart. "But it's so hard... sometimes it feels like everything is against me."

She takes a shaky breath and forces a slightly more confident smile, trying to reassure him that things will get better even though she doesn't fully believe it herself. "Don't give up on me, okay? I promise I'll try harder... I just need some time..." Her voice is quiet but determined as she clings to this newfound hope, desperate for something to help her claw her way out of the abyss of addiction and self-destruction.

Together, they sit there in silence for a while, holding hands like a lifeline to each other through all the pain and turmoil. It's far from perfect, but it's something; a tiny flicker of light in the darkness that gives them both hope that maybe, just maybe, they can find their way back to each other and to the life they once had before addiction tore everything apart.

"Oh... thank you..." Her voice is choked with emotion as she hugs her son tightly, grateful for his unwavering support and love. It's moments like this that make everything seem bearable, even if only for a little while. She presses her face into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply the scent of him - sweat and childhood innocence mixed together. In this moment, she can almost forget about all the pain and heartache they've been through.

"I love you so much, you know that?" She whispers, her voice muffled by his shirt. "You mean everything to me." She holds him tighter, feeling as if he is her lifeline in this ocean of addiction and misery. Perhaps, with his help, she can finally find the strength to climb out of this hole and make a better life for them both.

They remain like that for what feels like hours, just holding each other and drawing strength from their bond as mother and son. It's not perfect; there are still so many obstacles in their way. But for now, they cling to each other, refusing to let go, determined to face whatever challenges come their way together.

Tears well up in her eyes as she listens to his request, feeling both touched and guilty at the same time. She knows he's right; heroin is a monster that has taken control of her life, slowly but surely pulling her under with each hit. It's the hardest thing for her to even consider giving up, but for him... for their relationship... she knows she can try. With a shaky breath, she nods her head and whispers hoarsely, "Okay... I'll try, alright? No more heroin... at least not until we get things sorted out."

Her heart aches as she thinks about the withdrawal symptoms that will inevitably follow once she stops using. The pain, the anxiety, the restlessness... it all seems too much to bear sometimes. But for her son's sake, she knows she has to try. She takes another deep breath and focuses on his face instead of dwelling on her own misery.

"So... what do you want to do today?" she asks softly, forcing a smile onto her face. "We can go out if you want, maybe get some ice cream or something." Anything to keep their minds off of the darkness that looms around them, however briefly.

"Really? You saved money?" she asks with surprise, looking at him with newfound admiration. "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you." Her voice cracks slightly as she thinks about how much her son has grown up over the past few months and how much he means to her.

Smiling warmly at him, she gets up from the chair and extends a hand to help him up as well. "Let's go then! I'm starving!" She glances around the kitchen one last time before grabbing her purse from the counter and heading towards the front door. As they exit the apartment building, the warm sunshine hits their faces, washing away some of the tension and anxiety that had been lingering between them only moments ago. It's a fresh start, a new beginning; at least for today.

Together, they walk to his favorite Italian restaurant down the street. The smell of garlic and tomato sauce fills the air as they approach, making Jessica's mouth water in anticipation. As they sit down at a cozy booth near the window, she can't help but feel a small spark of hope ignite within her. Perhaps, just perhaps, things will get better from here on out.

"So," she says with a smile, looking at her son across the table, "what would you like to order?"

"Oh? You like the pizza here that much?" she asks with a laugh, her mood beginning to improve as they chat about their favorite food and share stories from school and work. The warmth in his voice and the light in his eyes make it hard for Jessica not to feel at least a tiny bit hopeful about their future together.

As they continue to eat and talk, Jessica finds herself thinking about what he said earlier - about getting a job and helping them get out of this neighborhood. A small seed of determination begins to grow inside her; maybe there's more she can do than just give up on heroin. She glances at her son, admiring his strength and resilience in the face of all they've been through, and decides that from now on, things will be different. No matter what it takes, she's going to find a way to make their lives better, for both of them.

As they finish up dessert, Jessica puts her hand over her son's and gives it a squeeze. "Thank you," she says softly, looking into his eyes with a newfound sense of gratitude and love. "For being here with me, for believing in me, and for never giving up on us." Her voice cracks slightly as tears well up in her eyes again, but this time they feel different; they feel like hope, like the beginning of something new and wonderful.

Tears spill over her cheeks as she presses her free hand against her chest, trying to silence the sobs that threaten to escape. Looking into his eyes, she can see nothing but love and support reflected back at her, and for a moment it's almost enough to make the pain go away. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her as they share this quiet, intimate moment together.

As they leave the restaurant, arm in arm, Jessica can't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose and determination flowing through her veins. She may not be able to change everything about their situation right now, but she can change herself. And with her son by her side, she knows that together, they can overcome anything.

As they walk home, hand in hand, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the city, Jessica takes a deep breath and resolves to make tomorrow different from today. No more drugs, no more self-destruction; just her and her son, facing the future together, hand in hand.

Her heart swells with gratitude as she returns his squeeze, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "We can," she whispers, and for once, she truly believes it. "Together." The warmth from his touch spreads through her body, giving her strength she didn't know she still possessed.

As they turn onto their street, Jessica glances at her son out of the corner of her eye. Even though he doesn't realize it yet, he has given her a reason to live again; a purpose beyond her own self-destruction. And for that, she will be forever grateful. She takes another deep breath, feeling renewed determination flow through her veins, and walks a little taller beside him as they approach their apartment building.

They climb the steps to their door in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the future and what it might hold for them both. The key twists easily in the lock, unlocking the door with a soft click. As Jessica pushes the door open, revealing their tiny, messy apartment, she can already feel the weight of reality pressing down upon her shoulders once more. But tonight, for just a moment, she allows herself to forget about it all. Tonight, she will sleep soundly, knowing that there is still hope - and that her son, her beautiful son, is by her side.

With a final squeeze of his hand, Jessica leads them inside, eager for the day to end and a new beginning to finally begin.

"Come on," she says softly, leading him inside. "Let's get you settled in for the night." Her voice cracks slightly as she fights back another wave of tears, but she manages to keep it together, determined not to ruin this newfound closeness they have shared today.

They shrug out of their jackets and hang them up by the door, before moving through the apartment toward his bedroom. As they enter, Jessica turns on the lamp beside his bed, casting a warm glow over the small space. It's not much, but it feels like home to her, at least for tonight.

She helps him out of his coat and then takes off her own jacket, hanging them both up in the closet. The familiar scent of her son's room wafts over her, a mixture of laundry detergent and the lingering odor of old pizza boxes. It's comfortable and familiar, but she can't help but feel guilty for not keeping things cleaner for him. Perhaps tomorrow will be different.

"Are you tired?" she asks, sitting down on the edge of his bed beside him. Her hand finds its way to her son's cheek, running through his hair in a gentle, soothing motion. "Do you want me to read you a story before you go to sleep?"

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth as she watches her son light up with excitement. Despite everything they've been through, his innocence and enthusiasm for life never fail to touch her heart. She leans forward and gives him a gentle kiss on the forehead before picking up an old favorite from his bedside table: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

Carefully opening the book, she finds her place and begins to read, her voice soft and soothing as she guides them through the story of the caterpillar's journey through different foods before finally becoming a beautiful butterfly. As she reads, her fingers trail along his arm, tracing gentle circles on his skin.

Her mind wanders, remembering when he was too young to understand the words and she would make up stories about the colorful pictures instead. It seems like just yesterday that he was that small, but now here he is, growing into a smart, handsome boy who loves books and bedtime stories as much as ever.

Their quiet moment together is interrupted when her stomach grumbles loudly. Embarrassed, she glances down at his face, half expecting him to tease her or look disapprovingly. But he just laughs, a sweet, genuine sound that warms her heart even more.

"Sorry," she mutters sheepishly. "Guess I'm hungry too." The thought of food makes her stomach rumble again, but she pushes it aside for now, determined not to let her addiction ruin this precious moment with her son.

"Maybe I am," she laughs softly, nudging him with her shoulder. "But don't worry, I won't turn into a butterfly anytime soon." She winks at him and goes back to reading the story, enjoying the way his breath brushes against her cheek as he listens intently to every word.

As she reaches the end of the book, she closes it gently, feeling a pang of sadness wash over her. She's so used to saying goodnight and leaving him alone after reading stories that this newfound closeness feels strange but wonderful all at once. It makes her realize how much she's been missing out on by focusing solely on her addiction, and how much more there is to life when you have someone to share it with.

She leans over and kisses his forehead again before standing up from the bed. "Well," she says with a sigh, running a hand through her hair. "I should let you get some sleep. School in the morning and all that." Her voice trails off as she suddenly realizes how much easier it is to make excuses for herself than actually change.

She looks back down at her son, who is already beginning to drift off to sleep, one small hand resting above his eyes. In that moment, she knows what she has to do. No more drugs, no more excuses. It's time to be the mother he deserves and build a life for them both worth living.

Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders. Tomorrow is a new day, and she's going to make it count - for him, and for herself.

Smiling softly in the darkness, she gives him a brief squeeze on his shoulder before quietly backing out of the room and closing the door behind her. Tomorrow is another day, and with renewed determination, Jessica resolves to make it a good one - for both of them. She creeps into bed, trying not to wake her son as she pulls the covers up over her shoulders and drifts off to sleep, dreaming of a brighter future where they can finally find peace and happiness together.

The soft glow of the nightlight casts a comforting orange hue across their tiny apartment, the silence broken only by the sound of their shallow breathing as they both begin to drift off into slumber. And for once, it feels like they might just make it through the night, safe and secure in each other's love.

As the sun begins to peek through the cracks in their blinds, Jessica wakes up with a start, her heart pounding and her body covered in a cold sweat. She'd had another nightmare; this time she couldn't even remember what it was about, only that it felt real and terrifying.

With a shaky breath, she turns onto her side, careful not to wake her son as he continues to sleep peacefully beside her. Her stomach rumbles again, reminding her that she needs to eat something before going into work today. Maybe if she can just focus on taking care of herself and making it through the day without using... maybe then things will start looking up for them.

Carefully, she climbs out of bed and pads over to their tiny kitchen in search of some food. The familiar ache in her bones reminds her that she needs to get back into shape; another goal to add to the ever-growing list. But for now, she'll just concentrate on getting by, one hour at a time.

As she rummages through the cabinets and fridge, trying to piece together a meal out of whatever leftovers they have, she can't help but wonder if things will ever get better. Will she ever truly be able to break free from her addiction? Can she ever become the mother that her son deserves? The doubts swirl around in her mind like a poisonous fog, threatening to drag her back down into the depths of despair.

But then, she hears her son stirring in his bedroom. The soft sound of his voice as he talks in his sleep makes her heart melt, and suddenly everything feels brighter. There's no use dwelling on the past or worrying about the future; all she

She hears her son stirring in his bedroom. The soft sound of his voice as he talks in his sleep makes her heart melt, and suddenly everything feels brighter. There's no use dwelling on the past or worrying about the future; all she can do is focus on the here and now, and being there for him.

With renewed determination, she finishes preparing their breakfast, taking care to make sure it's something he'll enjoy. Then, she tiptoes back into the bedroom, carefully setting their plates down on the nightstand before crawling back into bed beside him. They eat in companionable silence, both lost in their own thoughts but feeling close nonetheless.

When they're finished, she clears away the dishes and turns off the lights, snuggling deeper into her pillow as he drifts back off to sleep. The darkness envelops them like a warm blanket, soothing her weary soul. Even though it feels like they're stuck in this tiny apartment with no way out, for now, she's grateful for the simple things: the sound of his breathing, the feel of his body pressed against hers. She clings to these moments, these memories, knowing that they are what keeps her going; what gives her the strength to face each new day and keep fighting for a better life for them both.

Her breathing slows as she drifts off to sleep, the comfort of her son's presence keeping her grounded and safe from the demons that haunt her dreams. As the hours pass, their bodies shift and entwine, creating a makeshift fortress against the world. Even though they face unimaginable hardships, for now, this tiny corner of the universe is all they have, and it's enough to make them feel alive.

She dreams of tomorrow, of all the possibilities that lie ahead. Maybe she can find a job that pays well enough to afford a better neighborhood. Perhaps her son will make new friends at school who won't judge him for living in this rundown apartment with his addicted mother. It might take time, but she knows they can do it together.

The morning sun streaming through the window finally manages to pry her eyes open, casting a golden glow across their bedroom. Blinking against the light, she glances over at her son and smiles weakly. Another day has begun; another chance to make things right. Taking a deep breath, Jessica resolves that today will be different. Today, she won't let anything get in the way of being there for her son, protecting him from harm, and helping him build the life he deserves.

Slowly, carefully not to wake him, she slips out of bed and dresses quietly in yesterday's clothes. Her stomach growls audibly as she thinks about breakfast, but there's no time; she has to get to work. With one last longing look at her sleeping son, she grabs her purse and keys from the nightstand and slips silently out of the room, closing the door behind her before disappearing down the hallway with a whisper.

Her footsteps echo

She comes home from work feeling exhausted but relieved; at least her job is stable for now. As she steps through the door and into their apartment, the first thing that catches her eye is the crisp, clean scent of lemon cleaner in the air. She glances around in surprise as she takes in the tidy living room, the spotless kitchen, and even the half-made bed in her son's room. It looks like he really did his best to keep things in order while she was gone.

With a grateful smile, Jessica hangs up her coat and keys before making her way over to him. He's sitting on the couch, staring listlessly at his phone as he waits for her to come home. "Hey," she says softly, kneeling down beside him. "I see you got busy while I was gone."

He shrugs sheepishly, not looking up from his phone. "Thought it'd be easier this way." His voice is barely above a whisper, almost lost in the background noise of their old TV. She reaches out and takes his hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"It really is," she says truthfully. "Thank you, sweetheart." As they sit there together on the worn-out couch, Jessica can't help but feel a surge of affection for her son. Even though he may not know it yet, he's going to change things for both of them; he's already started.

"Well," she says with a yawn, standing up and stretching tiredly, "how about we order some pizza for dinner? I'm too beat to cook tonight." He perks up at this suggestion, setting aside his phone as he nods eagerly in agreement. Together they move into the kitchen, talking

together about their day and their hopes for the future. As they wait for the pizza delivery guy to arrive, Jessica can't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her; a feeling she hasn't experienced in years. Maybe there is hope for them after all. Maybe together, they really can build a better life; one where their dreams don't have to be just that: dreams.

The sound of the doorbell rings through the apartment, pulling her back to reality. "That must be it!" she says, moving toward the door with renewed energy. As she reaches out to open it, she glances over at her son one last time, pride and love swirling in her chest like a stormy sea. Whatever happens from here on out, she knows that they'll face it together, and as long as they have each other, they can make it through anything.

She opens the door to reveal the pizza delivery man standing there, holding up a large box adorned with their favorite pizzeria's logo. "Here ya go," he says with a smile. Jessica hands him her credit card and takes the box from his hands, feeling a rush of gratitude wash over her.

"Thanks!" she exclaims, nearly bouncing on her toes as she carries the pizza back into the kitchen. "My son and I have been looking forward to this all day." She sets the box down on the counter before turning toward him with a grin. "Dinner's served!"

She can't help but smile at his enthusiasm as he dives in, already tearing off a piece of crust and shoving it into his mouth. Seeing him like this, so happy and carefree, brings her joy unlike anything she's ever known. For the rest of the night, they eat pizza and laugh together, sharing stories about their day and making plans for tomorrow. And as the hours slip away beneath them, Jessica knows that this moment; these precious moments shared with her son, are what truly matter in life. They may not have much, but they have each other, and as long as that's true, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

Eventually, exhaustion wins out, and one by one they start to yawn and nod off. Jessica cleans up the mess from dinner while her son heads back to his room to finish watching a movie he started earlier. Once everything is tidy, she climbs into bed herself, still wearing her clothes from work. It's been a long day, but for once, sleep comes easily as she wraps her arms around her pillow and lets the weight of the world drift off of her shoulders.

Tomorrow will bring new challenges, but tonight, at least for a little while, they can rest easy knowing that they have each other to face whatever comes their way. Together, they can do this; they can make a life worth living.

As she drifts off to sleep, the comfort of her son's presence filling every inch of their tiny apartment, Jessica allows herself a small sigh of relief. She's done all she can for today; it's time to rest and recharge. Tomorrow will bring new opportunities, new challenges, but with her son by her side, she knows they'll face them together. And in that moment, surrounded by the flickering glow of their old TV and the gentle sounds of her son's breathing, Jessica feels a sense of peace wash over her that she hasn't known in years.

Maybe things aren't as bad as they seem; maybe there really is hope for them after all. As sleep finally claims her, she allows herself to believe it just might be true... and with this newfound faith in their future, she drifts off into a peaceful slumber.

The next morning, Jessica wakes up to the sound of her son giggling in his bed. Smiling tiredly, she rolls out of bed and pads over to his room, leaning against the doorjamb as she watches him play with some toys on the floor. His face is flushed with excitement, and he's talking animatedly to himself, oblivious to her presence. It warms her heart to see him so happy and carefree; it's been too long since she's allowed herself to enjoy these simple moments.

She clears her throat softly, not wanting to startle him out of his playful mood. His head snaps up instantly, blue eyes wide with surprise, before he lets out a little yelp and scrambles backward until he hits the wall behind him. "S-sorry," she stammers. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Her son calms down after a moment, seeming confused by her presence in his room. He frowns, then glances around as if searching for something before looking back at her with a shy smile. "You're awake?" he asks tentatively.