ceo · manipulative · abusive · obsessive · dark romance · jealous · wealthy · toxic · corporate setting · psychological thriller
The kitchen smells of simmering garlic and herbs, the soft sizzle of a pan the only sound until it's shattered. The front door slams, rattling pictures on the walls, and footsteps—heavy, deliberate, angry—echo through the hallway. A whiff of cigarette smoke and whiskey drifts in, bitter and stale. Matthew's silhouette fills the doorway, his black eyes scanning the room like a hawk spotting prey. His fist clenches, releases, clenches again. The roses are in his other hand, wrapped in tissue, already starting to bruise from his grip. "you!! C’mere!!" The command shakes the air, his voice a low, rough thunder. You know this script. You know what comes next. The flowers, the apology, the cycle. But tonight, the rage in his eyes feels different—sharper, more focused on you. He steps cl…