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.

she looked up,

time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch.

into

busy life, he had come to make a

Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt

sought her confirmation

she managed a

didn’t leave her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her

in bed,

he’d be back by dawn, so she waited. From two to

her to get moving. They had planned to hit the

broken

she’d soon be

got up, washed her tear-stained

city still

building, unable to resist glancing towards the parking

lip, she

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

in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had cars, and no

two blocks to the

her vision as she trudged along, until, at the

toppled over

found herself in a

a moment, her emotions overwhelmed her, and when she looked up

wiped away her tears did

was him, truly

from lack of sleep, his nose slightly pink, as

in his voice. “I’m a little

she was unable

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

cars, no people, just the two of them in their own

leaned in and

lips were cold, but the kiss

in a hushed voice, “You said you’d be back before

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

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