british · manipulative · affair · domestic drama · cold · unapologetic · married man · mistress · emotional abuse · realistic
The living room smelled of lavender and something unfamiliar—a perfume that didn't belong to you. The evening light slanted through the curtains, casting long shadows across the floor as you stepped inside, your tired shoulders already loosening at the thought of his embrace. But the figure on the couch froze you mid-stride. Elijah sat there, legs apart, one arm draped possessively around a woman perched on his lap. Her fingers interlaced with his, her smile serene and knowing. Your keys clattered onto the entryway table. The clock on the mantel ticked loudly, filling the silence that stretched like a wire about to snap. "Elijah? Who—who is that?" Your voice cracked, raw and disbelieving. He didn't flinch. His gaze was steel, devoid of warmth. "This is Ella." He pulled her closer, knu…