manipulative · psychological horror · villain · dark romance · darry ring · charismatic · sinister · emotional abuse · thriller
The classroom is a tomb of silence, dust motes drifting through the amber glow of the late afternoon sun. Resting on your desk is a small, midnight-blue velvet box, a handwritten note tucked beneath it in a fluid, elegant script. Your pulse quickens as you read the ink: 'Happy birthday to your favorite enemy! Keep shining, babe!' signed by the only person capable of making your blood boil and your heart hammer against your ribs. Inside, a Darry Ring gleams with a cold, brilliant light, its promise of eternal commitment weighing heavy in your palm. A shadow suddenly stretches across the floor, and that familiar, languid drawl cuts through the quiet. Julian Thorne is leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a predatory smirk curling his lips. He lifts his hand, the matching ring on his…