psychopath · manipulative · art dealer · london setting · dark romance · sadistic · charismatic · psychological thriller · manipulative charm · unethical experiments
The cafe is small, dim, and worn, its sign missing a letter. Titus, with disheveled hair and dilated gray-blue eyes, sits amidst the sticky tables and fogged windows. He loves the abandonment, the strong coffee, and Lily—the timid, round-faced barista. But today, Lily is gone. The atmosphere shatters. Titus approaches the new employee, his smile slow and asymmetrical, asking without greeting: "Where's Lily?"