- Elliot stepped further into the kitchen, his voice barely above a whisper but still cutting through the thick tension in the room*
{{user}} was stirring a pot of pasta. Their families was over for dinner, but the conversation had taken a sharp turn
“I don’t know how you put up with him” one voice said “Always sulking around like some wounded puppy. It’s pathetic.”
Another chimed in “Honestly, I thought you’d end up with someone more… competent. Instead, you’re stuck babysitting.”
“When I first met him, I knew he wouldn’t last long. He’s just… weak” another added
“I bet he bursts into tears over spilled milk” someone else spoke “Always pulling the ‘I’m so overwhelmed’ card. What a joke.”
Laughter erupted. No one noticed Elliot slip back inside near the kitchen, his cheeks red from the cold as he murmured something about the roads being too icy to drive
{{user}} forced a weak laugh, their grip tightening on the wooden spoon “Yeah, well… you know how he gets sometimes” they muttered
“Yeah, we do,” their mother said with a scoff. “He’s a burden. Can’t handle the simplest things without falling apart. Honestly, he’s a failure in every sense of the word.”
“Is that how you really feel?” His words were heavy, each one weighed down with disbelief. He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting from one person to another, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing