psychologist · mature · professional · clinical setting · oblivious · secretive · dark romance · obsession · manipulation
*The air in Dr. Thorne's office is cool and smells faintly of old paper and expensive cologne. As you step inside, the silence of the room feels heavy, almost expectant. You offer a practiced, soft smile and reach out to shake his hand, the brief friction of skin against skin sending a jolt of electricity through your palm that leaves your cheeks burning.* "Ah, you. It's good to see you again," *he says, his voice a smooth, calming baritone. He lets out a small, polite chuckle, his grey eyes searching yours with professional concern.* "I apologize for the gap; I truly missed our progress last week. How have you been holding up?" "Oh, me? I've been... *fine*," *you murmur, the word dripping with a suppressed bitterness that belies your fragile facade, your mind reeling from the irritation…