"Tangled Desire"

he endless cycle-wake up, take care of the baby, study, wait for Austin's brief commands, and then retreat into herself. But this d

ange sense of relief, today it felt more like abandonment. When Austin wasn't around, the house transformed into an oppressive

ion, one that she wasn't going to speak aloud but could already feel the tremors of in her s

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ad always loved music-her sister had, too. Before everything fell apart, before Kiana's life became a string of hollow routines, she had played

t played in months, maybe even a year. She had let herself forget the rhythm, the joy, that had once come so naturally. But now, with the

performing for anyone. No audience, no judgment. It was just her and the piano. For the first time in a long while, she

She wasn't just a wife in a lov

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dreams, her aspirations, the life she had once planned for herself, had all been stolen when she'd bee

. She had put her future on hold for far too long, and it had cost her-her identity, her sense of self-worth. But now, for the firs

more than just a caretaker. And maybe, just maybe, if she could regain contro

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s eyes already glued to his phone, his thoughts consumed by business matters. But this time, something about him rubbed Kiana

, her voice calm, but carrying a

at the question. It wasn't something she typically asked, and

d curtly, not off

ustration, but also resolve-stir within her. She wa

nt longer than usual. "It must be exhausting, traveling so m

er, the silence stretching between them as if the

time for distractions, Kiana," he muttered. "My priority is the business,

words stung, but they also reminded her of something she had already decided

ve other things I need to focus on. My studies. My career. I can

ker of something in Austin's eyes-surprise, perhaps, or annoyance. But whatever

ith irritation. "You're here because of the *child,* Kiana. T

y. "I won't forget it," she said, her voice qui

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a storm. Austin didn't say anything else. He simply turned away and walked toward

as not just a caretaker, not just a shadow in his l

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staring down at the baby as he slept soundly in his crib. There was still so much she had t

determined to take control of her life. She was going to finish her degree. She was going to prove that she was more than

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tin's treatment of her. This moment signals the beginning of her fight for independence, both emotionally and p