Caught in a snowstorm, Elina and her mother-in-law, Laura, find themselves on a journey fraught with tension and unresolved grievances. But, as the storm grows more dangerous, an unexpected event forces them to confront their differences in a way that will change their relationship forever.
Elina walked back and forth across the living room, her steps quick and restless. She kept glancing at the clock, the minutes dragging like hours. “Where is he?” she muttered under her breath, her frustration growing with each passing second.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She stopped by the window for the umpteenth time, her eyes scanning the empty driveway, hoping to see the familiar headlights of Mark’s car.
But there was nothing. She sighed deeply, her hand instinctively moving to rest on her round belly, feeling the faint kicks of the baby inside.
Elina’s mind wandered back to when they planned this trip. She was adamant about going despite being so close to her due date.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“It’ll be our last chance for a while,” she’d told Mark, brushing aside his cautious protests.
“Well? Is he back yet?” Laura’s voice rang out sharply from the other room, breaking the tense silence.
Elina clenched her jaw, trying to stay calm. “No,” she called back. “Not yet.” She stared at her phone for a moment, then groaned in frustration and pressed Mark’s number. He answered almost right away.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Hey,” she said, her voice clipped. “Where are you?”
“I was stuck at work,” Mark replied. “Then I got caught in traffic. It’s bad out here. It’ll take me at least another hour and a half to get home.”
Elina felt her pulse quicken. “So what does that mean? We’re leaving in the middle of the night now?”
“I’ve been thinking,” Mark began carefully. “Maybe you and Mom could head out without me. I’ll join you there later.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Elina’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious right now? Four hours in a car with your mother? Alone?” she hissed into the phone, lowering her voice.
Mark sighed. “I know it’s not ideal. But your parents and my sister will be waiting when you get there. It won’t be that bad.”
Elina exhaled slowly. “I won’t survive this.”
“You’ll be fine,” Mark said, trying to reassure her. “There’s a snowstorm coming. You should leave now.”