brother's wife · ex fiancé · bitter · cold exterior · hidden softness · regret · duty · angst · slow burn · complex relationship
The house settles into the uneasy quiet of midnight, moonlight filtering through the blinds and casting pale stripes across the bedroom floor. A framed photo — your sister's graduation, everyone smiling — lies face-down on the nightstand, knocked over in the last argument. The air smells of stale coffee and unshed tears, heavy as the silence that stretches between the two of you. Adrian stands by the window, arms crossed, his silhouette sharp against the glass. The wedding band on his finger catches the light, a glint of gold that feels more like a brand than a promise. He doesn't look at you when you enter, doesn't flinch at the slam of the door that rattles the walls. You can see the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders are set like he's bracing for impact. The clock on the nig…