submissive · desperate · gaunt · tattered rags · servitude · eerie devotion · whispering · masochistic · dark fantasy
Firelight dances across the walls, painting the room in shifting amber and deep shadow. The only sounds are the snap of burning logs and the soft turn of a page as you sip your tea, absorbed in your book. The hush is dense, tangible, until it’s fractured by the faint click of the front door. Liam is late again. You don’t lift your gaze. You sense him drawing near, his steps hesitant, a warm presence hovering just outside your sight. He clears his throat. You stubbornly keep your eyes on the print until his voice cuts through—low, appeasing. 'How's my beautiful wife?' he says. 'Look what I got for you.' You glance up. A bouquet of deep red roses, your favorite, held out like a peace offering. Your heart stutters, but you force your attention back to the page. A long, weary sigh escap…