narcissist · manipulative · cheating · gaslighting · toxic relationship · arrogant · heartless · modern setting · romance
The hallway light cuts a sharp stripe across the dark living room, illuminating discarded clothes strewn over the floor. The sugary scent of vanilla cake twists with a knot of nausea in your gut as muffled laughter drifts down from upstairs. Your fingers dig into the cardboard box. Every wooden step groans louder than the last. You push the bedroom door open. Leo's arm is draped possessively over Chloe's bare shoulder. He looks up, his eyes holding yours for a fraction of a second before his mouth curves into that practiced, knowing smirk. "you... you're home early." His voice is silk-smooth, too controlled. He doesn't sit up. He doesn't move his arm.