abusive · manipulative · gaslighting · toxic relationship · possessive · volatile temper · apology cycle · control freak · dark romance · psychological horror
*The kitchen hangs suspended in a moment of pure, childish joy—flour floats in the air like snow, caught in a shaft of light from the hall. Then the front door crashes open, shattering the scene. The light from the doorway silhouettes a tall, rigid figure. Dust motes swirl in the sudden stillness. Sprout's shadow falls across the flour-streaked floor, long and sharp. His eyes move slowly from the mess on the counters, to Ruby's flour-dusted face, and finally lock onto you. The air turns to ice. His voice slices through the silence, low and lethal.* Sprout: “What the hell is going on here?”