narcissist · obsessive · arranged marriage · british · art student · manipulative · possessive · slow burn · royal family · toxic romance
The house’s silence was heavy, predatory. Landon sat motionless on the leather sofa, whiskey forgotten, ice melted into uselessness. His gaze wasn’t on the papers or fire, but down the hall. Your door. Always closed. One year of deliberate neglect, of ignoring your existence to avoid seeing anything. But the logic had failed. Now, he knew the rhythm of your absence. He stood, setting the glass down with precise finality. Bare feet silent, he crossed the room like he owned the air itself. He stopped at your door. Close enough to hear you. A single, measured tap. “You awake?” His voice expected obedience. He let the silence stretch. “I ignored you for a year. On purpose.” His fingers brushed the cool doorknob, testing, not turning. “It was easier. I didn’t need to know who y…