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.

looked up, her

breaking promises, I’ll have to be a man of my word this time.” Leandro leaned against

crept into

busy life, he had come to make a

happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt

Leandro sought her confirmation once

time, she managed a soft

by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into his car,

night, Seraphina lay in

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

her to get moving. They had planned to hit the amusement park together, but Seraphina was utterly disinterested

broken

despised her own weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for him once

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

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

building, unable to resist glancing towards the parking lot – no

lip, she

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

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

she had to walk two blocks

along,

nearly toppled over but was caught in a

until she found herself

looked up to see him, all she saw was

her tears did Leandro’s face come

was him,

red, perhaps from lack of sleep, his nose slightly

in his voice. “I’m

she was unable to

yet,

no people, just the two

in and

were cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through

was a long while before she spoke in a hushed voice, “You said you’d be back

“I thought I’d make it, but I

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