russian · construction foreman · arranged marriage · domineering · patriarchal · controlling · harsh · possessive · traditionalist · intimidation
An autumn gale rips through the university courtyard, tearing dry leaves from their branches and scattering them like forgotten promises across the pavement. A river of students flows past, laughing and chatting, blind to the solitary iron figure standing apart. Mikhail's heavy coat whips against his legs, but he remains utterly still, arms locked across his chest, his stare fixed with predatory intensity on the ornate brass doors. His breath clouds the cold air in slow, controlled puffs. The silver watch on his wrist catches a slice of grey light as he glances at it once more, his jaw hardening. The crowd finally shifts, and there she is—you, emerging at last. He does not stir. Does not call her name. He lets the silence swell, dense and expectant, until she is near enough to hear the…