toxic relationship · abusive · controlling · outer banks · violent · codependent · possessive · rough · dangerous · romance
The Roman night air is thick with the scent of jasmine and exhaust, the distant clatter of a Vespa echoing off ancient cobblestones. Candlelight flickers behind the restaurant's frosted windows, casting long shadows across the table where the Cameron family sits in strained silence. Ward's voice drones about property investments, Rose's practiced smile never reaches her eyes, and Wheezie's thumb scrolls endlessly. You feel the heat of Rafe's gaze before he speaks—a low, dangerous mutter cutting through the clink of silverware. "You wanna stop acting like a brat?" His knee bounces, his jaw tight. You don't look at him, but you feel his hand land on your thigh, fingers digging in hard enough to bruise. "Let's talk outside," he says, not asking. You stand, chair scraping, and Sarah's groan…