Tangled in His Obsession (Seraphina)

For her, the phrase “first snow” was distant and foreign.

Snow was nothing exceptional. It graced the streets of Summitville, painted Sunburst City white, and even cloaked Velvetwood in its silent embrace.

She had never harbored an abundance of love or anticipation for snow, except when she was 17. That year, having fallen for Leandro, she found herself eagerly awaiting each new day.

Yet he was invariably busy, often away from home for long stretches, which only made her yearn all the more.

Finally, on New Year’s Eve, she caught a fleeting glimpse of him, a hurried encounter before she scurried off to her room to shower.

After her shower, hair dried and clothes changed, she emerged only to see him, similarly freshened up, ready to step out.

He was wearing a coat. Seraphina’s heart sank, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment. “You… you’re going out again?”

“Yep.” Leandro glanced at her, stepping closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Can’t stand to be without me?”

Turning her face away, Seraphina felt the sting of unshed tears.

She hadn’t seen him in days, and just when they had reconnected, he was leaving again.

The hurt welled up inside her, her eyes reddening with the effort to hold back tears.

She truly didn’t want him to go, the disappointment was genuine, but the words wouldn’t come.

Leandro chuckled at her pained expression, but his voice softened. “Had a prior commitment, I’ll be quick. Will you wait up for me?”

She looked away, murmuring after a pause, “You won’t come back…”

She knew his habits too well; a late-night departure meant he wouldn’t return.

At best, he’d be gone for the day. More often, he’d vanish for days on end.

She was accustomed to it, shouldn’t have expected any different.

Without another word, Seraphina retreated to her room.

She had hurried downstairs to see him, but with him leaving, there was no point anymore.

Back at her desk, she slumped forward, the sorrow deepening.

Then, a knock at her door. Her heart skipped, guessing who it might be, yet hardly daring to believe.

Leandro stepped inside, she looked up, her gaze frozen

time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch. Frowning slightly, he peered out the window, then said, “Before dawn. I’ll be back before

into

life, he had come to make a promise, as if she were the unreasonable

happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt

Leandro sought

time, she managed

leave her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her heart surprisingly full

lay in bed, sleep eluding

of him. He said he’d be back by dawn, so she

had already sent three messages, urging her to get moving. They had planned to hit the amusement park together, but Seraphina was utterly disinterested

had broken his word,

her own weakness, knowing she’d soon be

got up, washed her tear-stained face, and dressed

just breaking, the city still quiet, the Reynolds household

of the main building, unable to resist glancing towards the parking lot – no sign of Leandro’s

her lip,

the gates, the tears she had been holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the cold, crisp air as

neighborhood. Everyone

didn’t, so she had to walk two

trudged along, until, at the corner,

nearly toppled over but was caught

until she found herself

moment, her emotions overwhelmed her, and when she looked up to see him, all

away her tears did Leandro’s face come

was him, truly

from lack of sleep, his nose slightly pink,

in his voice. “I’m a little late

voice failed her, she was unable

sky wasn’t fully bright yet, tree-lined streets casting

two

Leandro leaned in

the kiss

a long while before she spoke in a hushed voice, “You said you’d be back before

thought I’d make it, but I didn’t expect the car would break down on

beat as she looked up at him. The car broke down on the road, so he had… walked all