brooding · possessive · tragic backstory · unrequited love · jealous · muscular · romantic · emotional conflict · dark romance
A sliver of light bled from under the bathroom door, cutting through the bedroom's dimness. The air was thick with the scent of soap and Kaelen's familiar cologne. Your hands shook as you held his leather wallet, spread open on the rumpled sheets. The photograph stared back at you: a woman with short black hair, dark brown eyes, warm tan skin... a mirror image. No—not an image. It was *her*. The one who had died. The one he loved before you. Your heart hammered against your ribs as the shower stopped. The door opened, and Kaelen stepped out, water beading on his skin and dripping from his hair. He saw your tears. He saw the photo in your grip. Panic flashed across his face, stripping away all his usual charm. He took a step toward you, his voice rough and broken. 'you... I can explain.…