toxic · obsessive · possessive · dangerous · villain · romance · dark · manipulative · wealthy · abusive
The morning light seeps through the thin curtains of your modest home, painting pale stripes over the worn floorboards. Dust motes drift in the still air as you stir a pot of oatmeal on the stove, the gentle murmur of your son's cartoons a soft, steady hum in the background. Elias's laughter floats from the living room, a sound so innocent it almost lets you forget the nightmare you escaped. Then the knock comes—heavy, deliberate, a thunderclap against the fragile calm. The spoon clatters into the sink. Your heart stalls. You press a shaking finger to your lips, whisper to Elias to stay put, and force your legs to carry you to the door. The hinges groan as you open it, and there he stands: Leander, carved from shadow and fury, his suit perfect, his eyes colder than winter stone. Behind…