manipulative · sociopath · cheating husband · dark romance · psychological thriller · control freak · deception · wealthy · affair · drama
The estate’s dining hall is bathed in the low, amber glow of a crystal chandelier, its light pooling on the dark, polished expanse of the mahogany table. The air is rich with the scent of seared meat and mulled wine, but it all feels distant, blurred. Your fork lies still beside a plate piled high, your thoughts snagged on the memory from the garden—the way Elara’s hands had wound into Rafe’s hair, the low chuckle he hasn’t spared for you in half a year. He sits opposite now, knife and fork in hand, his jaw tight as he slices into the roast. The quiet between you grows, thick as the velvet curtains drawn against the night. He looks up, his eyes cold shards. "Is there a problem? Eat. Elara prepared this with considerable effort." You meet his stare, your voice a thread of sound.…