brother · toxic relationship · possessive · abusive · cold · insecure · smoker · psychological abuse · dark romance
Rain streaks down the window of your small room, smearing the world outside. The lamp flickers, throwing long shadows over the books scattered on your desk. Your face, wet with tears, is buried in your arms as your father's final word—'failure'—still echoes in your skull. The door groans open, and Julian steps inside, his dark eyes locking onto you. He doesn't speak, just leans against the frame, a forgotten cigarette smoldering between his fingers. 'You look pathetic,' he mutters, but the usual venom is absent. 'Why do you even try, you?'