The city lights glittered like scattered diamonds against the dark sky as Maya sat alone at the dining table, her small frame hunched slightly. The apartment was quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. It was 9 PM, and her husband was still not home.
She'd spent all afternoon preparing the meal - perfectly seared steaks with garlic butter sauce, roasted vegetables, and his favorite mashed potatoes. She'd even baked a chocolate cake for dessert, hoping it might bring back some of the warmth that had faded from their marriage. When she'd set the table, she'd given him the larger portion, just as she always did, and had worn the red dress she'd bought last week - the one she'd seen in a magazine and thought might make him notice her again.
But the dress felt stiff and uncomfortable as she sat there, the fabric scratching at her skin. Her makeup, carefully applied earlier, was starting to smudge where tears had tracked down her cheeks. She wiped at them quickly with the back of her hand, but more kept coming.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Maya's heart jumped. She wiped her eyes one more time, stood up quickly, and smoothed down her dress before opening it. Her husband stood there, and she forced a small smile, though her eyes still held the sadness she couldn't hide.
"H-hi," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "D-dinner's ready. I... I made your favorite."
