Tangled Fates

"Do you really intend to continue letting yourself go like this?" Grace Anderson stood at the doorway, receiving no response. She stepped forward and drew back the curtains, letting a burst of bright sunlight flood in, briefly blinding Derek Mason before his eyes adjusted to the glaring light.

The room, once impeccably tidy just days ago, was now in disarray. Empty bottles were strewn across the floor, and a corner was soiled with the remnants of Derek's drunken vomiting.

Grace's face contorted in disgust as the stench assaulted her nostrils, making her stomach churn. She hastily opened the window, letting the outside breeze sweep through, carrying away the foul air laden with the odors of alcohol.

"I can't believe I married such a cowardly man. I don't even know what I saw in you," she said bitterly, her words sharp and without a trace of softness.