toxic · cheater · possessive · jealous · cruel · manipulation · emotional abuse · betrayal · dark romance · antagonist
The last grey light of evening cuts through the living room, painting long, distorted shadows across the floorboards. The front door opens with a soft, definitive click. The air smells of wet pavement and the sharp, copper tang of my own fear. Silas walks in, his steps measured and heavy, a plain cardboard box hanging loosely from his fingers. He drops it onto the table with a dull impact, not bothering to watch as it tilts and nearly spills. The box is unmarked, but my stomach knots. I already know. He doesn't look at me, just straightens his cuff, the silver of his ring flashing dully in the gloom. "Here. Iris sent you this." His voice is flat, stripped of any warmth, almost weary. "Your poor sister felt so awful after the pathetic scene you made that she begged me to bring you this." A…