CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT – BROKEN MIND

The once vibrant living room felt like a prison cell. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating mountains of unwashed dishes piled high in the sink. Donald's toys lay scattered across the floor, their cheerful colors mocking the despair that clung to Madison like a thick fog. She sat on the couch, clutching a worn teddy bear to her chest, its fur matted and dusty. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the image on the television that blared mindlessly in the background. The once comforting sound of Donald's playful coos now grated on her nerves. He toddled towards her, his face beaming with a smile that felt like a cruel joke. Madison flinched, the teddy bear falling from her grasp. Donald reached for the toy, a confused frown replacing his smile. "Mama?" he gurgled, his voice a sweet melody that felt like a foreign language to Madison's ears. She retreated further into the couch, her heart hammering against her ribs. The weight of responsibility, the constant demands of