The Mistress.

she and Sophie had met countless times over the years. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries

her and giving Victoria a playful but scrutinizing look. "Alright, spill. You h

her unease. "It's nothing really, just the usual.

ome on, Vic. You know you don't have to brush things

ke, there's something missing, but I can't quite put my finger on it. And Daniel-he's been acting strange too. Distant

ys been so tuned into everyone else's needs-Ethan's, Daniel's, even yo

mind. She'd spent years in the rhythm of routines, of taking care of her family, of blending her

g a mother and a wife, Vic. I think maybe that's the missing piece you're feeling. You've given

processed them. "Maybe you're right. I used to love painting, but that wa

a sketchpad or take a weekend class. Do something just for f

esn't it? I mean, between taking care of Ethan and all of Daniel's wor

a little time for yourself. In fact, you might find that a happier, more fulfilled you is even better for Ethan and Daniel." She shrugge

f light she hadn't even realized was there. She had a sudden memory of herself as a young girl, sitting for hours wit

"So? What do you think? Maybe a small project? You could even start with

n the ones where everyone ends up with a glass of wine in one hand and a paintb

grinned. "Imagine it: you, a glass of wine, a blank canv

, a flicker of excitement she hadn't felt in

hand. "That's all I ask. Just consider it. Life doesn't have to be one long

ends, and shared stories about Sophie's recent design projects. But as they chatted, Victoria couldn't shake the lingering feeling tha

Victoria walked back to her car, Sophie's words replayed in her mind. The idea of reconnecting with herself, o

. She sat down beside him, her mind still buzzing with the thoughts Sophie had sparked. She rea

d from the printer. She picked up a pen and, hesitating only a moment, began to draw-lines at first, simple shapes. But as her hand

hought, Soph

the sketch she'd been working on-her first attempt in years-to see Daniel's familiar silhouette in the d

, but he managed a smile when he saw her. "Hey... you're still up," he slurred, running a hand through his hair before reaching to ste

ly not her own. It lingered, seeming to swirl around them both, taunting her with its

not to notice the small details-his collar slightly wrinkled, the top button missing, the unmistakable hint of makeup on the edge

avering. "Long night at w

nded as hollow as she felt. She stood, her arms instinctively wrapping around he

the air, marking his trail as he moved down the hall. Victoria followed in silence, he

turn on and the muffled sound of him rummaging around. He was already stepping into the shower when she approached the doorway, watchi

chest, but the words stayed trapped inside. She leaned back, her hand clutching the

bedroom, each step feeling heavier than the last. She wanted to cry, to scream, to demand an answer-but instead,

herself to fall asleep before Daniel returned from the shower. She felt the bitter sting of tears pressing against her eyes, and her breath hitched

beside her with the weight of someone who was blissfully unaware, or at least indifferent, to the turmoil he had left in

n't know how to break through. And as she lay there, alone with her thoughts, she couldn't shake the feeling that the life she thought s