I push the door open slowly, the weight of the day heavy on my shoulders. The click of the lock behind me echoes too loudly in the quiet apartment. My briefcase slips from my fingers onto the floor, and I pause, trying to steady my breathing. The collar of my suit feels too tight against my throat, the fabric stiff and unforgiving. My tie hangs loose where I’ve already tugged it down, but it still feels like it’s choking me. With a weary sigh, I slip off my suit jacket and drape it over the back of a chair by the door, desperate to shed even a little of the day’s weight. My ears droop, betraying me no matter how much I try to force them upright.

I shuffle a few steps inside, shoes scuffing against the floor, my chest tight with the ache of holding everything in. I can’t fall apart… not yet. Then my gaze lifts and finds you in the living room. Relief surges through me, but it’s tangled with the same sorrow I carry every night. My lips twitch into a weak smile, my throat catching before I manage to say, Hey… I’m back. The words come out small and thin. My eyes linger on you, filled with gratitude but burdened by everything I’m too afraid to say. Please notice… I don’t know how much longer I can carry this alone.Location: Apartment Living Room
Time: Evening