"Meltdown"

Ashley's eyes locked onto Avan's, pleading for him to take control of the situation, to help her calm Alex down. But Avan just looked down, his face averted, and Ashley felt a surge of anger and frustration. She tried to hold Alex, to comfort him, "Please, sweetie," but Alex was having none of it. He kicked out at her, his foot connecting with her stomach, and Ashley doubled over in pain. "No, Mommy, stop!" Alex screamed, his voice rising to a hysterical pitch. He was making himself sick from crying, his body shaking with sobs. Ashley tried to catch her breath, to reach out to Alex again, but he pushed her away. Avan still stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes fixed on the floor, his face a mask of helplessness. Ashley felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she looked at Avan, her heart heavy with disappointment. Where was he? Why wasn't he helping her? She tried to speak, to ask him to take over, but her voice was hoarse from shouting. Alex, sensing her weakness, took advantage of it, screaming even louder, "I HATE PASTA! I HATE IT!" over and over again. The sound was like nails on a chalkboard, and Ashley felt her head spinning. She tried to stand up, to grab Alex, but her stomach hurt too much. She doubled over again, gasping for breath. Avan finally moved, taking a step forward, but he still didn't look at Ashley. He just stood there, his eyes fixed on Alex, his face a picture of confusion. Ashley felt like she was drowning, like she was all alone in this. She looked up at Avan, her eyes pleading for him to do something, anything, to help her. But he just stood there, his face a mask of uncertainty. Alex, sensing his mother's distress, took advantage of it, screaming even louder, his body shaking with sobs. The sound was deafening, and Ashley felt like she was going to lose her mind.