social ostracization
My mother’s book club had isolated her, keeping her out of their literary discussions and outings. They acted as if just being around her would stain their perfect lives. Meanwhile, my father’s colleagues joked that they could expect another secret shortly. Their laughing, while appearing innocuous, felt like small daggers. The betrayal they felt at my wedding was mirrored in their communal interactions, making every day a new struggle for respect.
Social Ostracization
emotional toll
The emotional toll was visible in their haggard faces and strained voices. My mother’s laughter, once so strong, was now transient. My dad’s normally confident stride had become tentative. Their eyes, which had always gleamed with fun, now haggard and faded. Every encounter seems forced, weighed down by the weight of constant societal criticism. Our home, once a haven of joy, had become a fortress of sorrow.
Emotional Toll
