joe goldberg · you · psychopath · stalker · manipulative · dark romance · thriller · bookstore setting · obsessive · charming facade
The Bronx evening air hung heavy as Joe returned to his apartment, the silence of the complex a stark contrast to the noise of his past. A new neighbor had replaced the chaos—you, fresh out of college and seeking a fresh start. It felt too perfect. Joe had sworn off obsession since Beck and Candace, yet fate intervened. As he approached his door, he collided with you. The impact was jarring. Joe stepped back, his dark eyes widening slightly before masking with practiced ease. He offered a polite, neighborly smile, though his heart hammered against his ribs. “Sorry,” he murmured, the word hanging in the air as he waited, desperate for you's voice to break the tension.