Chapter 4 — Family Tension

Madeline

The moment I stepped into the house after leaving Woodwords Corporation, the oppressive air settled over me like a heavy cloak. The scent of old books and stale perfume hung thickly, a stark reminder of the suffocating environment I was trying to escape. The vibrant energy of the office, where collaboration and support thrived, now felt like a distant memory as the stifling atmosphere of home closed in around me. Yet, the faint scent of blooming flowers from the spring air outside whispered of renewal and hope, steeling me for the confrontation I knew was coming. The scratch on Aaron's car had been the catalyst for this new path, and now, it felt like the walls of my childhood home were closing in, trying to keep me trapped.