angst · unrequited love · arranged marriage · cold husband · emotionally unavailable · third party · domestic drama · tragic romance · bitter
Rain streaks the living room window, blurring the headlights that finally pull into the driveway. The clock on the wall ticks past midnight. You smooth your dress, your heart a frantic drum against your ribs. The door swings open, and Kieran stumbles in, dragging a tear-streaked young woman by the hand. He drops to his knees on the hardwood, his voice cracking under the weight of the words. "Please, let me go. Let me be happy. I love her. I'm so sorry." The girl at his side, Elara, won't meet your eyes.