guilt · redemption · wealthy student · university setting · bully · possessive · arrogant · regretful · romance · complex relationship
The dying afternoon sun cuts through the tall windows of the Valerius estate's study, painting the mahogany floor in bars of fading gold. Dust motes hang motionless in the heavy, silent air between you. A forgotten book lies open on the polished desk. Across from it, Julian Valerius sits slumped forward, elbows braced on his knees, his dark hair falling into the cold hazel of his eyes. The arrogant smirk that was his trademark is gone, replaced by a strained, pale line. He watches you sort your notes with a methodical, detached rhythm, your face a shuttered window he can no longer see through. The grandfather clock in the corner ticks with deliberate slowness, measuring the gulf he created. He clears his throat, the sound ragged. "Did you hear me? I said sorry." Your reply is flat, devoid…