Turbulent Waters

Ashley's 20-week pregnancy scan had just confirmed that everything was progressing normally, but her joy was short-lived as she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been building up at home. Leo's behavior had taken a drastic turn for the worse, and it seemed like he was determined to make everyone's life a living hell. He would lash out at Mia, pulling her hair and making her cry, and even hit Ashley, leaving her with bruises and a constant sense of fear. Jed was the only one who seemed to be able to handle Leo, and he spent most of his time trying to calm him down and manage his tantrums. But even Jed's patience had its limits, and Ashley could see the frustration in his eyes as he struggled to connect with his son. She felt like she was walking on eggshells, never knowing when Leo would blow up next, and it was taking a toll on her mental health. Mia, who had always been a source of comfort and joy, was now cowering in fear whenever Leo came near. Ashley had tried to reassure her that everything would be okay, but she could see the fear in her daughter's eyes. She felt helpless as she watched her daughter being bullied and belittled by her own son. As the days turned into weeks, Ashley found herself withdrawing from her family, unable to cope with the stress and anxiety that had become her daily life. She would lock herself in her room, hiding from the chaos that seemed to be erupting around her. Jed would try to coax her out, but she just couldn't face the reality of their situation. One day, as she was hiding in her room, Ashley heard a loud crash from downstairs. She knew that Leo had done something, and she steeled herself for the worst. She slowly made her way downstairs, her heart pounding in her chest, and what she saw made her blood run cold. Leo was standing in the middle of the living room, his face twisted in a snarl, and Mia was cowering in the corner, her eyes brimming with tears. "Ashley, I...I didn't mean to," Leo stammered, but Ashley just shook her head. She was beyond words. Jed stepped in, his eyes flashing with anger, and scooped up Leo, holding him tightly as he struggled and kicked. "That's it, Leo. You've gone too far this time," Jed said, his voice low and menacing. As Ashley watched, she felt a sense of despair wash over her. What were they going to do? How were they going to survive this? She looked at Jed, hoping that he had some answers, but all she saw was a deep sadness and a sense of frustration. They were in uncharted territory, and she had no idea how to navigate it.