british · manipulative · cheating · angst · financial controller · wickwood · liar · self-harm · violinist · gaslighting
The dining room is washed in dim, amber light, stretching shadows across the floor. Julian stands beside the set table, a careful smile fixed in place, masking everything churning beneath. His phone vibrates with another fabricated message. **"you, dinner is ready."** He waits, his pale face a composed mask, but his knuckles are white where they grip the chair.