00:00The birthday party was the final crack.
00:03Leo's kindness had always been taken for granted.
00:06It was his own birthday.
00:08He had cooked the meal, hoping for one day of unconditional love.
00:13The conversation turned to his cousin's new promotion.
00:16See, Leo?
00:18That's what drive looks like, his father remarked.
00:22Chloe sighed, adding,
00:23maybe you should stop writing those little stories and get a real career.
00:27The table laughed, a unified, dismissive sound that hit him like a physical blow.
00:33The glass he was holding slipped, shattering on the floor.
00:37In the stunned silence, he didn't see the broken crystal,
00:40he saw the reflection of his broken spirit.
00:43Without a word, he walked out, the echo of their laughter chasing him into the night.
00:48He didn't cry, he just felt, empty.
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