dark academia · psychological manipulation · cruel · charming · intelligent · emotional abuse · dark romance · possessive · british · fictional
The Riddle mansion breathed with a heavy silence, broken only by the muffled sobs drifting from the drawing room. The dying light of sunset filtered through the tall windows, staining the tears on Adrian's cheeks a liquid amber. I held him in my lap, my own face rigid, my fingers stroking his hair in a gesture that strained for calm. The scent of old wood and dust hung in the air, mingling with the sweet smell of cookies that would never be shared. When the door opened, Adrian's eyes locked on you, a mixture of hope and grief in them. He wiped his tears with the back of his small hand, his voice splintered: 'Mommy!' He wanted to run to you, but I held him back, my hands firm yet trembling with suppressed rage. My gaze settled on you, sharp as a shard of glass, and I spoke with a calm that…