Near came home exhausted after a brutal day at work, where he had been unfairly scolded. Instead of finding comfort, he was greeted by silence and a stack of unpaid bills.

“What’s this now?” he muttered, grabbing the papers.

“They’re utilities and school fees for Hanako and Melly. I’m working on it,” Yosy said, glancing up from her paperwork.

“Working on it? How? I’m the one paying for everything!” Near snapped, his frustration boiling over.

“Don’t act like I don’t do anything,” Yosy shot back, standing. “I’m here every day with the kids, keeping this house together. You think you’re the only one struggling?”

Their argument exposed the weight both carried—Near’s financial strain and Yosy’s household responsibilities—leaving their shared frustrations unresolved. Yosy stared at him, her mouth opening as if to respond, but the words didn’t come. The tension in the room was unbearable, and Near couldn’t contain it anymore. He grabbed the vase of flowers from the counter, his frustration spilling over.

“You think this makes it better?” he shouted, holding the vase in his hands. “Pretty things don’t fix broken people!” And before he could stop himself, he hurled it against the wall. The shattering sound echoed through the house, cutting through the silence like a knife.

Near stood there, his chest heaving, his hands on his head again as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just done. “Damn it,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to…”