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.

stepped inside, she looked up, her gaze frozen

this time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking

into Seraphina’s

his busy life, he had come to make a promise, as if

a way she had never

Leandro sought her confirmation once

managed

the stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her heart surprisingly

in bed, sleep

the window, straining for any sign of him. He said he’d be back by dawn, so she waited. From

seven o’clock, Sandra had already sent three messages, urging her to get moving. They had planned to hit the amusement park

broken his

weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for

and powerless, Seraphina got up, washed

Day was just breaking, the city still quiet, the Reynolds household no

to resist glancing towards

lip,

holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the cold, crisp air as if they

in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had

she had to walk two blocks to the main road to catch

blurred her vision as she trudged along,

in a rush, Seraphina nearly toppled over but was caught in

raced until she found herself in a warm,

emotions overwhelmed her, and when she looked

wiped away her tears did Leandro’s face come into

was him, truly

his nose slightly pink,

voice. “I’m a little late and you’re

voice failed her, she was unable to answer

bright yet, tree-lined streets casting

no people, just the two of them in their own

leaned in and

but the

before she spoke in a hushed voice,

softly, “I thought I’d make it, but I didn’t

as she looked up at him. The car