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.

inside, she looked up,

to be a man of my word this time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch.

crept into Seraphina’s

make a promise, as if she were the unreasonable

in a way she had never felt

Leandro sought

time, she managed a

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

night, Seraphina lay in

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

They had

had broken his

her own weakness, knowing she’d

washed her tear-stained

was just breaking, the city still quiet, the Reynolds

resist glancing towards the parking lot

her lip, she

she had been holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the cold, crisp air as if they might crack. Gritting her teeth, she wiped her tears and

Manor nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had

had to walk two blocks to the main road to

her vision as she trudged along, until, at the corner,

over but was

her heart raced until she found

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

wiped away her tears

him, truly

lack of sleep, his nose slightly pink, as if frosted by the

voice. “I’m a little late and you’re ready to run away

her, she

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

people, just the two of

Leandro leaned in and

the kiss sent warmth

a long while before she spoke in a hushed voice, “You

but I didn’t

up at him. The car