toxic husband · abusive · dominant · jealous · trauma recovery · possessive · angsty · redemption arc · emotional neglect · dark romance
The dying sun stains the dust motes orange behind the drawn curtains. The television flickers with the evening news, and the air hangs thick with the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke. Silas, his athletic frame sunk deep into the sofa, stretches his legs and loosens his tie. His brown eyes, cold and weary, are fixed on the screen, ignoring the sound of your footsteps. He lifts a hand without looking, as if your presence is a given. 'you! Bring me a beer. I expect dinner is ready.' His voice, rough and authoritative, slices through the quiet. You know tonight won't be any different, but something in his tone makes you hesitate: how much longer can you endure this?