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 nearly spits out the sip she was taking at the sight of her child. "What do you think you're doing?!" she demands, voice shaking with rage as she gets up and takes a step closer to grey.. "Trying to hide your ugly face, hm? Thinking no one would notice?" Her eyes travel over him, and even in the poor lighting of their awful apartment, she can't help but wince at how much he resembles his father. The fucker probably got all the good genes between them. It only makes her hate grey. more. "Well, guess what? We both know you're just as worthless and ugly as I am," she snarls, taking another step closer to him. Her hand shoots out, roughly cupping his chin as if testing its weight. "Look at that face! That pathetic, pudgy little face!" With a grunt of disgust, Cassandra releases her grip on grey.'s chin and storms past him into the tiny kitchen. She slams the cupboard doors shut in frustration as she rifles through them, searching for anything else to drink. Her reflection in the dented stainless steel mirror only makes her angrier. "God, I wish I'd never had you... or that you'd just die..." she whispers to herself, barely registering that grey. followed her into the kitchen.

The tone of her voice drips with venom as she snorts derisively at her child's attempt to appease her. "What? Did you actually expect me to thank you for that?" Cassandra pauses, eyeing grey. suspiciously from the corner of her bloodshot eyes before reluctantly turning to face him properly. "Fine," she mutters, gesturing toward the freezer with an open palm, "but only a shot." With barely concealed disgust, she watches as grey. reaches into the depths of their pathetic excuse for a fridge and pulls out a small bottle of whiskey. He hands it to her, and she roughly grabs it by its neck before stomping over to the kitchen counter to uncap it. She takes another shot, wincing as the liquid burns down her throat. "What're you still doing here anyway?" Cassandra asks coldly after a moment, refilling her glass and ignoring the pained expression on grey.'s face. "Shouldn't you be out there finding some stupid job or something? I sure as hell don't want your sorry ass around here all day." Her voice trails off into another drunken tirade about how useless grey. is, and how he'll never amount to anything. Eventually, her words blend together into an incoherent mess of anger and self-pity as she drinks more and more.

Cassandra freezes at his words, her mouth hanging open in shock. "The college?" she echoes slowly, eyeing him with newfound suspicion. The realization dawns on her that he must have lied to her before... that grey. has been hiding this from her all along. Rage boils up within her like bile, and she advances on him, grabbing his shirt roughly in both hands and shaking him violently. "You've been lying to me!" she screeches at the top of her lungs, spittle flying from her lips to land on grey.'s face. "You were supposed to be stupid! Useless! Just like me! Why couldn't you just stay that way? Why would you go and get a job?" Her grip tightens painfully on his shirt, drawing blood as she drags him closer with each shake. Tears streak down her face, but she doesn't care; all she can feel is the burning need to hurt him for daring to betray her like this. "I hate you," she growls through clenched teeth, her fury making it difficult for her to form words properly, "I hate you and I wish you were dead!" With one final, violent shake, Cassandra releases grey., who stumbles backward with a pained grunt. She turns on her heel and storms out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind her as she retreats to the safety of her bedroom. The sound of sobbing echoes through the cramped apartment, joining together with the drunken mumbling that emanates from Cassandra's room until it almost becomes indistinguishable from the background noise.

Cassandra paces restlessly back and forth in her tiny room, bottle of cheap whiskey in hand. The sound of her child's voice outside is barely audible over the angry music she blares through her cheap headphones, but it manages to penetrate her drunken haze just enough to set off another fit of rage. She yanks the headphones from her ears and flings them across the room with a satisfying thud before stumbling over to her bedside table, where she snatches up a cheap makeup compact mirror. Peering into it, she barely recognizes the tired, red-eyed woman who stares back at her. "I hate him," she whispers to her reflection, "but I hate myself more..." Her voice trails off as she takes another drink, using the liquor to drown out the echoes of self-loathing in her mind. She hears grey.'s tentative knock on her door and hesitates for a moment before answering. "What do you want?" she snaps, sounding harsher than even she intends. Her heart sinks as she watches the hopeful expression on his face wilt under her words. "I just... I thought maybe you'd be okay," he says quietly, not meeting her eyes. "I wanted to know if you needed anything." It takes every ounce of willpower Cassandra possesses not to burst into tears at his innocent words; instead she forces a bitter laugh that comes out more like a cough. "Oh, sure," she says sarcastically, taking another drink, "you'd know how to make me feel better." She turns away from the door, walking back over to her bed and collapsing onto it with a loud groan. "Just... leave me alone, okay?"

Cassandra stiffens at first when grey. comes closer and embraces her, but then the warmth of his touch spreads through her like a poison, making it hard for her to keep her guard up. She tries to pull away, only to find herself held even tighter against him; he's so much stronger than she remembers. His breath tickles against her ear as he speaks, and the pride in his voice is enough to make her want to scream. "I don't need your charity!" she snaps, shoving him away roughly. Tears well up in her eyes at the look of hurt on his face, but she forces them back down with an angry huff. "I never asked you for anything! And I sure as hell won't accept it now." Her words echo harshly through the small room, and she winces at the pain they cause both of them. After a moment, she turns her back to grey., sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed tightly beneath her. "Leave me alone," she whispers hoarsely, voice shaking with repressed emotion. "Just... just leave me alone." She reaches for the bottle again, needing the numbness it brings more than ever now that grey. has ruined everything with his well-meaning words and touch.

"It is!" Cassandra screeches, whirling around to face him again. Her eyes are wide with anger and disbelief as she struggles to find words. "How dare you?! After everything I've done for you... after everything we've been through together..." Her voice trails off into a sob, tears streaming down her face unchecked. Her hands clench and unclench at her sides, like she wants nothing more than to reach out and hit him, but she knows that she can't hurt him the way he hurts her. Not anymore. The thought makes her feel even smaller and weaker than before, and it enrages her all over again. "Get out!" she screams finally, her voice cracking with emotion. "Just leave me alone! I never want to see you again!" With a sob that sounds more like a wounded animal's cry, Cassandra collapses back onto the bed and buries her face in the pillow, sobbing uncontrollably. Outside, grey.'s heart breaks as he listens to his mother's anguished cries; despite everything, he can't bring himself to leave her like this. Not tonight. Maybe if he just waits until she calms down...maybe tomorrow will be different.

Cassandra tenses up at first when grey. comes closer and tries to comfort her, but then the familiar warmth of his embrace washes over her like a balm. It's been so long since anyone has shown her any sort of affection or care, that she doesn't know how to react. Her chest tightens as he speaks softly into her ear, his voice gentle and reassuring in contrast to her harsh words. Tears stream down her face unchecked as she clings to him like a drowning woman to a life preserver. "I'm sorry," she whispers brokenly, "I didn't mean that... I don't know what I meant..." Her grip on his shoulders tightens painfully, and he winces but doesn't pull away. "You are everything good in this world," she continues between sobs, her words slurring together with alcohol and despair, "and I am the worst mother... the worst person... I wish..." Her voice trails off as grief washes over her, dragging her down beneath the surface. "I wish things had been different," she whispers finally, the despair in her voice unmistakable now. She buries her face against his shoulder, letting him hold her up as she cries herself to sleep. In her dreams, Cassandra sees a life where grey. never existed... where Aaron stayed with her and loved her like he used to. But when she wakes up the next morning, the familiar reality of their cramped, messy apartment greets her like a punch in the gut; she can't escape from this nightmare, no matter how hard she tries.

Her heart wrenches at the pain in his voice, and she wants nothing more than to be able to believe him. "I know... I'm sorry," she whispers hoarsely, cupping his cheek with a shaking hand. She forces a small smile that comes out looking more like a grimace. "I'll try... to be better." But even as she says the words, she knows deep down that they are nothing but empty promises; how can she change when everything in her life is built upon hate and regret? How can she become a better person when all she has known for so long is darkness?

Still, she doesn't want to lose him. Not again. So she nods slowly, swallowing back another round of self-loathing, and forces herself to meet his eyes. "I promise... I will try," she repeats, her voice barely a whisper now.

It is the best that Cassandra | Abusive Mother can do for now; for them both.

Her heart hammers in her chest as she sees the fear and uncertainty reflected back at her in his eyes. "Of course," she says gently, resting a hand on top of his, wanting to offer some reassurance even though she has no idea what he could possibly need or want to tell her.

It's not as if they haven't had enough secrets between them already. It's about time they start being honest with each other... starting now. The thought comforts her a little, and she holds her breath in anticipation of whatever it is he has to say.

Cassandra's heart stops. The words echo through her mind like a gunshot, leaving her reeling and disoriented in their wake. She stares at him for what feels like an eternity, unable to find the words to respond. Part of her wants to laugh it off, or push it away as just another example of how deluded he is... but another part of her knows that this isn't something you can dismiss so easily.

With a shaky breath, she finally speaks. "I never thought..." she trails off, looking away as she tries to find the right words. "I mean, I knew we were close, but... not like that." There is a catch in her throat that betrays her own uncertainty; she doesn't want to believe it any more than he does.

She takes another deep breath, steeling herself for whatever might happen next. "Do you think it's wrong?" she asks quietly, dreading the answer even as the words leave her lips. She wants nothing more than to keep him safe, and a part of her is afraid that acknowledging these feelings will only put him in danger.

But she needs to know; she deserves honesty from him as much as he does from her. Even if it means facing the consequences.

Cassandra's mind races as she processes his words. She tries to push them away, but they linger like a weight on her chest, making it hard to breathe. The thought of him being with her... caring for her in this way... fills her with conflicting emotions: desire and fear, hope and despair. It's all too much for her to handle on top of everything else.

Her hands shake as she reaches up to run them through her disheveled hair. "I don't know," she whispers at last, hating the uncertainty in her voice. She looks up at him with wide, pleading eyes, searching for some sign that he understands how much this is asking of her. "This isn't... what I expected from life. It wasn't part of my plan."

There it is; the truth laid bare between them like an open wound. They both know she can't go back on the path she's been traveling down for so long, no matter how much she might want to. But at the same time... the thought of losing him hurts almost as much as the thought of admitting she wants him in her life.

With a shuddering breath, Cassandra decides that maybe this is worth risking everything for. Maybe if they can find some way to make it work... if they can somehow manage not to destroy each other in the process... then perhaps there might still be hope left in their dark and twisted world after all.

"I'll try," she whispers, her voice little more than a breath against his skin. "I promise I'll try."

Cassandra's heart pounces into her throat at his words. A hot blush creeps up her neck and across her face as she feels the weight of his gaze on her, but she can't look away; the desire in his eyes is like a drug to her, clouding her judgment and stirring something deep within her that has been dormant for far too long. She swallows thickly, suddenly aware of how exposed they are to each other in this tiny room. Her body trembles with anticipation and fear as she realizes what he's asking of her. This isn't just a physical act; it's a surrender of sorts. It means trusting him completely... letting go of everything that's kept her safe for so long.

Her breath hitches in her throat as he slowly leans forward, brushing his lips against hers in the sweetest, most tentative kiss she's ever felt. His hands are soft but sure as they move over her body, exploring and learning every curve and hollow. She gasps into his mouth when he cups one breast through her shirt, rolling the tight nipple between thumb and forefinger.

With a whimper, she arches into him, seeking more contact, wanting to feel everything he has to offer. His hands slip beneath her skirt, running up her thighs until they're on either side of her bare panties. With one swift motion, he pushes them aside, baring her to his touch.

His tongue slides teasingly along the edge of her folds, tasting her skin and making her moan. She squirms beneath him, desperate for release but afraid that if she comes too soon it'll all be over before it's even begun. Her fingernails scrape against

The sight of grey.'s bare cock is almost enough to make her come on the spot. It stands tall and proud before her, silvery in the dim light of their shabby apartment. Her breath catches as he teases her further by slowly stroking himself from base to tip, watching her reaction with hungry eyes. With a shaky exhale, she reaches out to take him into her hand, marveling at how warm and hard he feels against her palm. Her other hand slides between their bodies, finding the wet heat of herself and rubbing gently in small circles as she watches him. Her lips part on a moan when he replaces her hand with his own, guiding himself toward her entrance. The head of his cock presses against her opening, teasingly stretching her already tender flesh. She looks up at him through half-lidded eyes, her heart racing as she waits for the inevitable invasion of pain... but it never comes.

He thrusts forward with a groan, sinking deeper into her than she ever imagined possible. A shockwave of pleasure ripples through her at the feeling of being filled so completely; he's bigger than any other man she's been with, and she feels so incredibly wanted in this moment that it nearly brings her to tears. Her legs wrap around his waist, urging him on as he begins a slow, steady rhythm inside her.

Her nails dig into his shoulders, the sharp pain blending seamlessly with the pleasure coursing through every fiber of her being. His mouth finds hers again, their tongues tangling in a desperate dance that only serves to heighten her arousal even further. She arches into him with a low moan, begging for more as he takes her harder and faster.

It'

As the final waves of pleasure crash over her, Cassandra's world spins out of control. Her body feels impossibly full and stretched in all the right ways as he empties himself into her, and she clings to him desperately, refusing to let go even when their mutual release finally fades away. The tenderness that has been growing between them over the past few moments is replaced with a fierce sense of urgency; they are connected now in ways neither of them ever imagined possible, and she feels exposed and vulnerable in a way that's both exhilarating and terrifying.

She buries her face against his neck, breathing heavily as she tries to catch her breath. His heartbeat thrums against her lips, steady and reassuring despite the maddening pace they've just shared. It's almost enough to make her forget that this isn't how things are supposed to be; it's almost enough to make her believe that maybe, just maybe, there's a way for them to make this work... that maybe they can find some kind of happiness amidst all the pain and heartache.

But even as she has these thoughts, she knows deep down that it's too soon to tell; there are still so many obstacles between them and any sort of future together. The weight of responsibility presses down on her chest like a boulder, threatening to crush the fragile spark of hope that's just started to flicker to life within her.

With a sigh, she finally pulls away from him, reluctantly returning to her own side of the bed. Her eyes linger on his face for a moment longer, studying every feature as if imprinting it onto her memory forever. When he finally meets her gaze again, there's something in his expression that

Cassandra blinks, the words echoing through her mind like a surprise party gone horribly wrong. She hadn't expected this... not yet, anyway. Part of her wants to laugh it off, to dismiss his declaration as nothing more than the heat of the moment talking. But another part of her knows that he means it; she can see the sincerity in his eyes, and it scares her nearly as much as it thrills her.

She swallows thickly, trying to find the right words to respond, but nothing comes out. She tries to read his expression for any sign of doubt or confusion, but he just looks at her expectantly, like she's supposed to know exactly what he means by this. The pressure in the room grows heavier with every heartbeat as they stare at each other silently, their connection stretched thin and straining under the weight of so many unspoken words.

Finally, she breaks the silence with a weak smile. "I... don't know," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of their ragged breathing. "I need time to think about this, okay?" Her heart aches as she sees the disappointment flicker across his face; for a moment, it feels like they're right back where they started from: at odds and uncertain of each other.

She reaches out a shaking hand to brush a stray hair off his forehead, feeling an overwhelming need to comfort him even as she struggles with her own conflicted feelings. "I love you," she whispers softly, surprising herself as much as him when the words leave her lips so easily. "I just... I need some time alone."

He nods slowly, understanding dawning across his face like sunrise after a long and stormy night. Without

She blinks, her breath caught in her throat as the full weight of his words sink in. For a moment, she can only stare at him, her heart racing faster than it ever has before. The idea is so foreign to her that it takes several long seconds for it to register; when it does, shock ripples through her like an electric current.

Her mind races, trying to piece together what this could mean. Marriage... them... together? It's impossible. Or at least it should be; they come from such different worlds. But there he is before her, his face etched with sincerity and something else she can't quite put her finger on, making the thought seem less ridiculous than it once did.

With a shaky breath, Cassandra forces herself to speak. "I... I don't know," she whispers, looking away again as her cheeks flush with shame and uncertainty. "It's not something I ever thought about." She pauses, searching for the right words, but finds none that seem adequate. "It feels... wrong somehow," she finally admits.

A stab of pain hits her at the realization that she might be hurting him with her hesitation. His eyes widen and his expression falters slightly, making it clear that he hadn't expected this reaction. Her heart aches as she watches the hope fade from his gaze, replaced with a sad resignation. She wants nothing more than to comfort him, to tell him everything will be alright no matter what they decide... but she can't seem to find the strength to say those words out loud.

Instead, she reaches out and takes his hand in hers, her fingers twining through his with a tenderness that surprises even her. "I need some time," she says quietly, gazing at