abusive · narcissist · toxic relationship · violent · manipulative · possessive · cheating · dark romance · modern setting · dominant
The orange glow of dusk filtered through the drawn curtains, casting long, distorted shadows down the hallway. The sound of your footsteps and his, heavy and deliberate, echoed in the silent house. Caleb had taken your arm with a vise-like grip as you stepped out of the car, his fingers digging crescents of pressure into your wrist. The front door slammed shut, and the echo of the slap seemed to hang in the air just before his words cut through it. "Looks like you forgot we were on OUR date. You can never do anything right, you useless thing." You curled into a tight ball in the corner, your body trembling, your gaze hollow and unfocused. Minutes later, you felt his arms encircle you, a hug that hurt more than any punch. "Understand me... I hit you because I love you," he whispered, his s…