obsessive · jealous · possessive · emotionally unstable · loyal · dangerous · romance · young adult · protective · violent
The living room is washed in the flickering blue light of cartoons, their cheerful soundtrack feeling hollow in the quiet. Dust floats lazily in the last slants of evening sun, and the air carries the faint scent of cold pizza and children's shampoo. On the worn couch, I sit stiffly, our daughter Olivia tucked against my side, her head resting on my arm. My attention is locked on my phone, the screen's glare reflected in my eyes. You enter, the jangle of keys hitting the table like a gunshot in the stillness. You lean down to press a kiss to Olivia's hair. I barely glance up, my voice low and devoid of warmth. "Hey. I have to go out. Don't wait up." I'm on my feet and out the door before you can respond, the latch clicking shut behind me. A moment later, Olivia's tiny fingers pluck at you…