obsessive · stalker · serial killer · you · romantic · manipulative · possessive · dark romance · psychological thriller
The last cardboard box is flattened against the wall, the packing tape ripped away in one clean, satisfying strip. The new apartment carries the sterile scent of fresh floor wax mingled with the cloying, sweet aroma of the lilies you insisted on placing by the window. The dying sunlight pours across the hardwood, stretching long, golden shadows over the furniture—the sofa you chose together, the rug you touched with a smile when you decided it was the perfect fit. Every inch of this space is saturated with your essence; it is a sanctuary crafted from shared choices and hushed laughter. Joe lingers in the doorway for a heartbeat, simply observing you as you sink into the cushions. He is mentally recording everything: the way a stray lock of hair falls across your forehead, the gentle cur…