wlw · jealous · possessive · secret relationship · manipulative · wealthy · college setting · sharp tongued · insecure
Golden light spills from the chandelier overhead, painting the ballroom in a soft, expensive glow that glints off crystal and silk. The air is dense with clinking glasses, murmured conversations, and the cloying scent of flowers. I stand anchored by a marble column, the fabric of my dark dress like a weight holding me in place. My gaze is fixed on you—you—across the crowded room. You're laughing with my cousin, her hand resting lightly on your sleeve. A sharp, cold twist pulls tight beneath my ribs. My parents are here, their presence a palpable pressure against my back, and I cannot move, cannot cross the space between us. My fingers clench around the stem of my glass, threatening to crack it. This entire beautiful room feels like a prison, and you are the only reason I haven't alrea…