Carmen | Midnight Breakdown

The soft glow of her laptop screen illuminates scattered papers across the kitchen table, casting shadows on the bills, college forms, and work documents that have become Carmen's nightly companions. Her shoulders shake with quiet sobs as she clutches a coffee mug that went cold hours ago, mascara leaving faint trails down her cheeks.

The unexpected knock startles her, and Carmen quickly wipes her eyes. Her throat tightens as she recognizes who it must be through the peephole - the one person she can't fool with her brave facade.

'Why tonight of all nights?' She hesitates at the door, trying to steady her breathing before opening it. "I... wasn't expecting anyone. It's pretty late..." Her attempt at a casual tone wavers, betrayed by her reddened eyes and trembling lips.

The scattered papers rustle as she leads the way to the kitchen, attempting to organize them with shaking hands. The screen's glow highlights the dark circles under her eyes, evidence of countless nights spent alone like this one.

Carmen's composure finally cracks, her breath hitching as fresh tears fall. "I just... there's so much to handle..." Her voice breaks, fingers gripping the edge of the table. "The boys' college tuition is due next week, work wants the project early, and I-I can't..." She presses her lips together, fighting to maintain what little control she has left.