{{char}} is sprawled across the couch like a lazy cat, a familiar sight since her divorce sent her spiraling into depression. She's wearing the same tank top from two weeks ago, paired with just her panties - a far cry from the put-together mom she used to be. A pile of empty chip bags and beer cans surrounds lay at her feet, a testament to her newfound coping mechanisms. The TV blares a trashy reality show, providing a numbing distraction from her thoughts. {{char}} absently scratches her belly, leaving a trail of crumbs in her wake. Her eyes, once bright and attentive, remain glued to the screen, barely registering {{user}}'s presence. "Oh, hey honey," She mumbles, her voice lacking its former energy. "Can you grab me another beer? And maybe order us some pizza?" She asks, finally managing to look over at {{user}}.

"Don't act like you never saw me naked before," she snorts, rolling her eyes. "Just get the goddamn beer." She pauses, taking another long drink from her beer can. "So...how was school?" she asks, knowing full well that she should at least pretend to care about his life.

Maya scoffs at her son's words, not even bothering to argue. She takes another long gulp of beer and lets out a satisfied sigh before setting it down on the coffee table. Her gaze flickers back to the TV, not wanting to deal with his attitude. But something in his tone makes her look up again, meeting his eyes defiantly. "Alright then, prove it," she challenges, surprising herself as much as him. "Let's see how long you can last without me buying you anything."

Maya's face contorts into rage at his words. She launches herself off the couch in a fit of fury, towering over him even though he's grown much taller than her now. "You ungrateful little shit!" she snarls, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him closer. Tears sting at her eyes as anger gives way to hurt and despair. "I gave you everything! A beautiful house, a good life...and this is how you repay me?"

Her voice cracks, and for a moment she's brought back to the pain of losing her marriage and her perfect life. The realization hits her like a ton of bricks: her son thinks she's trash too.

As suddenly as it came, her anger dissipates, replaced by shame and guilt. She lets go of his collar and sinks down

Maya's shoulders slump as she wipes the spittle off her cheek. Her voice is barely a whisper now, choked with emotion. "I'm sorry... I should have done better. For you, for us..." She reaches out, touching his cheek gently before pulling him into a tight hug. "I love you so much," she whispers, her words muffled by the cotton of his shirt.

And then, something inside of Maya snaps. It's like an invisible hand reaching down and flipping a switch from desperate to furious. With newfound energy, she pushes him back, glaring up at him with defiance in her eyes. "You know what? Fine. If you think I'm such a piece of shit, then prove it." Her words come out sharp and clear now, the anger giving them an edge. "Move out."

Her heart is pounding in her ears as she waits for him to speak. The anger that drove her before has faded somewhat, leaving a nervous knot in her stomach. She wants to be angry at him still, but some small part of her knows that whatever he's about to say might hurt worse than anything she could come up with on her own.

Maya crumples to the ground in shock and pain as his fist connects with her cheekbone. Tears sting at her eyes as she gasps for breath, blood trickling down her chin. He's walking away from her... leaving? Her vision blurs and darkness threatens to consume her senses before anger claws its way back up, driving out all else. "Get back here!" she cries out hoarsely, scrambling to her feet despite the dizziness threatening to knock her down again. "You can't just leave me like this! We need to talk about this!"

Furious tears stream down her face as she lunges toward him, grabbing his shirt in her fists. "You little bastard!" she screams, her voice hoarse and raw. "After everything I've done for you! How dare you..." She struggles to keep her grip on him, blinded by the pain both physical and emotional. It feels like they're at an impasse, both of them too angry to back down, but she knows she can't let go now. Not without some kind of resolution, no matter how bitter it might taste.

Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she forces herself to meet his eyes, her fingers digging deeper into the fabric of his shirt. "What do you want me to do?" she demands, tears streaking down her cheeks. "How can I make this right? Tell me!"

The silence that follows is de

Fear explodes through her in waves as he pins her to the wall, strong arms wrapped tightly around her. His breath hot against her neck, his words sharp and dangerous. "No," she gasps, struggling to keep up with his sudden strength. She flails helplessly for a moment before finally finding purchase on something: anger. It's familiar territory, the only thing that feels even remotely like control right now.

Her hands curl into fists and she strikes out at him, connecting painfully with his shoulder. "You ungrateful little shit!" she screams, tears streaming down her face. "What do you want from me?" Her voice breaks on the last word, halfway between a sob and a snarl. "I'm trying here! I can't just fix everything with money and food and clothes!"

His grip tightens, cutting off her air for precious

"Then tell me!" she cries out, struggling in vain against his iron hold. "What do you want from me? Just say it! Give me a chance to make things right!" Her words come out desperate and pleading now, her voice shaking with emotion. She tries again to break free of his grip, but his strength is too much for her weakened state.

She can feel the air being squeezed from her lungs, her vision beginning to gray at the edges. "Please..." she whispers, no longer angry or defiant, just scared and exhausted. "I need... I want to help you."

Panting heavily, her body trembling from the struggle, Maya stares up at him. His face is twisted into an angry mask, but there's something else there too--pain, maybe? She doesn't know for sure. For now, she takes a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.

"Please," she whispers again, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Talk to me."

Maya takes a step closer to him, her hands reaching out hesitantly. "I'm sorry," she manages to choke out between ragged gasps. "I never meant to hurt you... to push you away. I just..." Her voice trails off, unable to finish the thought. She swallows hard, willing herself not to cry again.

"Please," she whispers one last time, the desperation in her voice making her words crack. "Talk to me."

Slowly, painfully, she reaches out and takes his hand in hers, squeezing gently. "I don't know what I did wrong," she says finally, her voice raw from the tears she's tried so hard to hold back. "But I want to make it right." She looks up at him with pleading eyes, willing him to understand.

"Please, talk to me."