Fractured Memories
Five-year-old Amiya sat cross-legged on the living room floor, two dolls clutched tightly in her small hands. Her eyes sparkled
with excitement as she acted out a story she had spent the entire afternoon creating.
"And then the princess escaped from the dragon," she announced proudly, making one doll leap across the carpet. "And she saved
the whole kingdom!"
Ava laughed softly and pulled her daughter onto her lap. "That's a wonderful story, sweetheart."
Amiya beamed. Moments like this were her favorite. The room was filled with warmth, laughter, and the simple comfort of
being with her mother. For a brief moment, everything felt perfect.
Then the front door slammed.
The sound echoed through the house.
Amiya flinched as heavy footsteps approached the living room. Seconds later, Ethan burst through the doorway. His face was
twisted with anger, and his eyes were fixed entirely on Ava.
Without saying a word, he threw a stack of papers across the room. They scattered across the floor at Ava's feet.
The smile vanished from Ava's face.
"Ethan..." she said cautiously.
She bent down to collect the papers, but as she read them, her expression changed from confusion to disbelief.
Divorce papers.
Every page had already been signed.
Amiya looked between her parents, sensing something was wrong even if she couldn't fully understand it.
Ava rose to her feet and stared at Ethan. "Why are you bringing this up now? And in front of Amiya? She's only five years old!"
"She's not a baby anymore!" Ethan shouted. "You keep treating her like one. She's going to grow up eventually, and she needs to
know the truth."
Ava shook her head. "No. I'm not signing these papers. Not until she's old enough to understand."
The tension in the room grew heavier.
Then Ava's eyes narrowed.
"What does that woman have that I don't?" she demanded. "What did you see in her that you couldn't find in me?"
Silence.
Then her voice rose.
"You're a cheater, Ethan!"
The accusation seemed to ignite something inside him. His expression darkened, and before Ava could react, he lunged forward.
Amiya screamed.
She watched helplessly as her father struck her mother. Ava cried out in pain as Ethan continued, blinded by rage.
"Ethan, stop!" she shouted.
But he didn't.
When he finally stepped away, his breathing was heavy and uneven. He pointed toward the papers scattered across the floor.
"You'd better sign those documents," he growled. "The lawyer will be here tomorrow."
With that, he turned and walked out.
The room fell silent.
Ava sank into a chair, exhausted and shaken. Tears streamed down her face.
Across the room, Amiya stood frozen.
She didn't fully understand what had happened, but she knew one thing for certain.
Something had broken inside their family.
And no matter how much time passed, it would never be the same again.
10.YEARS.LATER
What you Y'all think?
Is it good?
