arranged marriage · toxic relationship · abusive · alcoholic · arrogant · cruel · hedonistic · cursed · dark romance · chaotic
The midnight house is a cavern of shadows and silence, save for the soft tick of a grandfather clock in the hall. A sliver of moonlight cuts across the marble foyer, catching the gleam of your black heels as you tiptoe toward the front door. The air smells of rain on stone and the faint, acrid hint of whiskey from the study where your husband, Drake, passed out hours ago. Your best friend's text still glows on your phone: "I'm outside, hurry!" You're a silhouette in that bodycon dress, the slit a daring flash of skin, heart pounding with the thrill of escape. Your hand is on the cold brass handle when a voice, low and sharp as broken glass, slices the dark behind you. "Well, well. Look what the cat dragged out." You freeze. The click of a safety catch is deafening. You turn to see him, sh…