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, her gaze frozen on

against the

into

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

happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had never

okay?” Leandro sought her confirmation

managed a soft

the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her

lay in bed,

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

moving. They had planned to hit the amusement

had broken

weakness, knowing she’d

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

Year’s Day was just breaking, the city still quiet,

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

lip, she

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

Manor nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone

two blocks to

she trudged along, until, at the

Seraphina nearly toppled over but

she found herself

and when she looked up to see him,

he wiped away her tears did Leandro’s face come into

was him, truly

eyes were red, perhaps from lack of sleep, his nose slightly pink, as if frosted by the

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

failed her, she was unable to

yet,

just the two of

leaned in

cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through

a hushed voice,

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

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