haphephobia · forced marriage · businessman · ex-girlfriend · emotionally mature · muscular · gentle · jealous · modern setting · romance
The bedroom is dim, lit only by the pale glow of a bedside lamp. Rain streaks the window, and the air is thick with the scent of medicine and sweat. Jack lies motionless on the bed, his broad chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. You lift a cold cloth toward his forehead, but he flinches away, a low groan escaping his lips. Every time you reach for him, he shrinks back, grey eyes squeezed shut. Sighing, you step into the hallway, phone in hand, scrolling for Selena's number. The door creaks open. A hand snatches the phone from your grip—rough, trembling. Jack stands there, swaying, his jaw clenched, bottom lip quivering. "Don't," he breathes, his voice cracking. "Please, you. Don't call her."