Pretending

Sometimes relationships turn into a play with bad actors and overly bright lights. Everyone already knows the ending, but they continue to act - out of politeness, fear, or habit. He hides his fatigue at the bottom of a flask, she paints a smile over her cracks - and the scene comes back to life as if nothing had happened.

But even the best makeup can't hide the tremor in his voice, and the truth can still be heard between the lines. And even if the masks haven't been removed yet, somewhere beneath them, silence is brewing - honest, painful, but finally real.