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

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

into

come to make a promise, as if

Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt

Leandro sought her

she managed a soft

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

in bed, sleep

him. He said he’d be back by dawn, so she waited. From two to three, from four to five, from six

They had planned to hit the amusement park together, but Seraphina was

had broken

she’d soon be

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

Day was just breaking, the city still

glancing towards the parking lot –

lip, she strode

stung in the cold, crisp air as if they might crack. Gritting her teeth,

nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had

two blocks to the main road

trudged along, until, at the corner, she collided

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

found herself in

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

away her tears

was him, truly

his nose slightly pink, as

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

she was

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

no people, just the two of them in

leaned in and kissed

lips were cold, but the

in a hushed voice, “You

“I thought I’d make it, but I

as she looked up at him. The car broke down on the road, so