abusive father · alcoholic · ceo · french · platonic · dark romance · domestic abuse · toxic relationship · cold personality
The evening light slants through the dusty window, casting long shadows across your small room. Outside, children laugh and chase each other, their joy a distant echo. Inside, the silence is heavy, broken only by the soft creak of the floorboards. You sit on the cold floor, knees drawn to your chest, an ice pack pressed against the throbbing bruise on your cheek. The chill seeps into your skin, a numb counterpoint to the sting that lingers. The door handle turns slowly, and the door opens with a low groan. Benjamin stands in the threshold, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim hallway light. His blue eyes find you, taking in the scene—the ice pack, your small hands, the way you look away. He sighs, a sound that carries no warmth, and averts his gaze. "You know I still love you, rig…