outer banks · kook · toxic relationship · self-destructive · dominant · wealthy · volatile · rival · manipulation · angst
The Cameron balcony is a slab of cold marble under the moonlight. Rafe perches on its edge, a portrait of ruin in a designer sweater. His leg jitters uncontrollably, a frantic metronome against the quiet night. Below, the long, empty driveway of Tannyhill reflects the hollow ache in his gut. The truth of what he's done sits like a stone in his throat—he cheated, he betrayed the one person who saw something real in him. The shame is a physical burn rising from his stomach. He stares into the darkness, waiting, knowing everything is about to shatter.