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 gaze frozen on

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

crept into Seraphina’s

he had come to make a promise, as if she were

Ecstatic, in a way she had

leaving, okay?” Leandro sought her

time, she managed a

her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into

night, Seraphina lay in bed, sleep

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

get moving. They had planned to hit the

had broken

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

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

city still quiet, the Reynolds household

resist glancing towards the parking lot – no sign of

her lip,

the cold, crisp air as if they might crack. Gritting her teeth, she wiped her tears and continued

neighborhood. Everyone had cars, and

so she had to walk two blocks

she trudged along,

Seraphina nearly toppled over

heart raced until she found herself in a warm,

when she looked up to see him, all she

away her tears did

was him, truly

perhaps from lack of sleep, his nose

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

voice failed her, she was

wasn’t fully bright yet, tree-lined streets

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

leaned in

but the kiss

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

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

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