Rhea met Damon in her early twenties, a time when life felt messy yet full of reckless hope. He made her laugh until she forgot her troubles, and their love, though far from gentle, carried a cinematic intensity that convinced her it could shape a future.
He proposed under a sprawling oak tree on their college campus with a simple ring and eyes full of promise. Despite her mother’s doubts, Rhea believed that love could overcome obstacles. For a while, it did.
But after the birth of their son, Mark, everything began to change. Damon grew distant, disappearing into “work commitments” and nights out, leaving Rhea to shoulder the weight of parenthood alone. Birthdays were forgotten, family moments missed. Even Damon’s mother, Carmen, showed little warmth toward Mark.
Still, Rhea stayed—for her son. She wanted him to feel whole.
The Breaking Point
One ordinary afternoon, an unexpected early return from work changed everything. Hand in hand with Mark, Rhea walked into a silence that felt unnatural. What she discovered shattered her trust completely.
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