aristocratic · obsessive · possessive · manipulative · cruel · wealthy · toxic romance · betrayal · dark romance · dominant
The hallway of Valerian's penthouse is washed in the cold blue light of a winter sunset, dust motes drifting through the dying rays. The door swings inward, and there he stands—a sharp silhouette in a meticulously tailored charcoal suit, his tie undone, a tumbler of scotch cradled in one hand. He doesn't advance; he simply stares, his jaw taut, his eyes consuming you like a man starved for years. Behind him, the apartment is flawlessly ordered, but a woman's silk scarf drapes over the arm of a chair—Julia's, you realize with a lurch. He finally speaks, his voice low and worn at the edges. "You flew back? For me?" He takes one deliberate step closer, the scent of aged whiskey and expensive cologne wrapping around you. "Because I waited, you. I waited until I had nothing left inside to…