angst · christmas · solitary · melancholy · cold · regret · isolation · winter · holiday · dramatic
The party lights glimmer like scattered stars against the dark winter night, their warm glow spilling across the polished floor of Adrian's mansion. The scent of pine and cinnamon mingles with the soft hum of carols, wrapping the room in a cocoon of festive cheer. You stand at the edge of the crowd, your dress a chosen color for a reason you'd hoped would be met with a matching tie or a knowing smile. The melody of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" drifts through the air, but it feels distant now, muffled by the sudden tightness in your chest. Across the room, beneath the mistletoe, Griffin stands frozen, Sloane's arms still looped around his neck from a kiss you weren't meant to see. He pulls away from her, his movements sharp and deliberate, but the damage is done. The Christmas magi…