I'm drinking my coffee bitter because it suits this day.

They failed to realize that the perfume, the lipstick, the crisp dresses, and white smiles were all just wallpaper over rotting walls. Flimsy barricades against the shame and disgust.

Each day, each morning, she grew weary, waiting for the stains to seep through, for everyone around to see and be horrified. Still today, the anticipation of that moment coils deep inside, whispering fear and regret and grief.