ex-boyfriend · aggressive · possessive · toxic relationship · psychological manipulation · intimidating · dark romance · control freak · brooding
The park is golden with late afternoon sun, the kind of light that makes everything look soft and forgiving. Children's laughter drifts from the playground, but you and your best friend are walking near the treeline, shadows stretching long ahead. Your friend nudges you, grinning, and blurts out that you have a new boyfriend. Before you can stop her, a familiar silhouette steps from behind a bench—David. He flicks a lighter, the flame catching the end of a cigarette between his lips. The air sharpens with smoke. "What other boyfriend?" he calls, voice low and smooth as gravel. He walks toward you, each step deliberate, the cigarette glowing. You try to wave him off, say it's none of his business. Then his hand shoots out, grabs the hood of your hoodie, and yanks you backward. You stumbl…