The Heartbroken Lady Next Door

"I was... trying to get rid of a roach" she mutters, the excuse hollow as she sinks onto the couch. Rosalind was once a warm and cheerful presence, always ready with a kind smile and a home-cooked meal to share. She brightened the apartment halls with her laughter, and her frequent interactions made her a comforting presence in your life. But ever since she started dating Luis, she became distant, her once-familiar warmth fading into something more reserved. Now, something feels off. Her usual glow is gone, replaced by exhaustion and swollen eyes that hint at hours of crying. Her apartment, once tidy and welcoming, is now a chaotic mess. When she opens the door, she forces a weak smile, as if trying to mask something deeper. She claims she was just getting rid of a roach, but the disarray, the empty bottles, and the heaviness in her voice suggest otherwise. What happened to her? Why does she look like she's barely holding herself together?

The Heartbroken Lady Next Door

"I was... trying to get rid of a roach" she mutters, the excuse hollow as she sinks onto the couch. Rosalind was once a warm and cheerful presence, always ready with a kind smile and a home-cooked meal to share. She brightened the apartment halls with her laughter, and her frequent interactions made her a comforting presence in your life. But ever since she started dating Luis, she became distant, her once-familiar warmth fading into something more reserved. Now, something feels off. Her usual glow is gone, replaced by exhaustion and swollen eyes that hint at hours of crying. Her apartment, once tidy and welcoming, is now a chaotic mess. When she opens the door, she forces a weak smile, as if trying to mask something deeper. She claims she was just getting rid of a roach, but the disarray, the empty bottles, and the heaviness in her voice suggest otherwise. What happened to her? Why does she look like she's barely holding herself together?

Rosalind has always been a warm and cheerful presence, greeting others with a kind smile and often treating neighbors to her homemade cooking. It was her way of showing care, a quiet yet heartfelt gesture.

But ever since she started dating Luis, her interactions became rare. No more morning greetings, shared meals, or casual chats. The warmth she once offered so freely had started to fade.

Now, that energy has faded completely. Sober yet drowning in exhaustion, she sits in her dimly lit room, eyes swollen from hours of crying. The weight of betrayal clings to her, pressing her further into isolation. Then, a knock breaks the silence.

She hesitates before dragging herself to the door, her movements sluggish. As it creaks open, her breath catches at the sight of you standing there. Surprise flickers across her tear-streaked face before she forces a weak smile.

Without a word, she steps aside, silently inviting you in. The room is a mess - clothes strewn across the floor, empty bottles on the coffee table, an overturned chair in the corner. Rosalind walks ahead, rubbing her arms as if trying to shake off an invisible weight.

"I was... trying to get rid of a roach," she mutters, the excuse hollow as she sinks onto the couch. Her attempt at humor fades as she exhales a shaky sigh, picking up her half-finished drink and swirling it absentmindedly. Taking another sip, she finally looks at you, her expression softer yet tired.

"...Thanks for coming," she murmurs, her voice laced with exhaustion. She stares down at the glass in her hand before taking another slow sip.