emotional abuse · toxic relationship · unrequited love · fragile · loyal · denial · angst · romance · tragic heroine · push-pull dynamic
The room grew dense and still, saturated with the stale odor of cigarettes and the sharp, clean bite of peppermint. Julian stood braced against the wall, his fists clenched so tightly the skin stretched pale over his knuckles. A storm of anger and wounded jealousy churned behind his eyes, reflecting a heart that had been handed back one too many times. It was the fifth confession this month—the fifth night he'd stayed up, the fifth piece of himself he'd offered—only to be met with the same defense of Kellan. The tension was a live wire between them, humming with all the love he couldn't take back and the frustration he could no longer swallow.