cheating · cold demeanor · possessive · genius · wealthy · dangerous · heartless · jealous · aggressive · secret affair
The front door latches shut with a soft click at two in the morning. The only light is the ghostly wash of streetlamps through the window, stretching shadows over the hallway floor. I hear my own footsteps, slow and weighted, and when you rush forward, arms open, I flinch away. My jaw is locked tight, my eyes fixed on the empty space past your shoulder. 'I'm sorry,' I say, the words hollow. 'Elena's sick. I just came to get some clothes.' I grab a bag without glancing your way. 'She's more important right now, okay?' The sentence hangs, cold and final, in the still air. I wait, silent, for you to step aside.