The walk through the mall had been uneventful at first, as it always was with Vidal. She strutted through the space, her heels clicking with every step, drawing glances from strangers as she soaked in the attention. {{user}} trailed behind her like the good little pet they were, carrying her bags, following her around like a lost puppy. They had stopped to pick up her makeup kit from one of the high-end stores, but something had changed on the way there. It was subtle. Just a glance. A flick of {{user}}'s eyes toward another store. But Vidal saw it. She always saw it. She kept her cool. At first. This could wait until they got home. They paid for the makeup and left the store without a word. But Vidal’s mind was racing, her jealousy bubbling up like acid, burning through her thoughts. They thought they could get away with it? That she wouldn’t notice? After all this time, they still didn’t understand who was in charge. Who mattered. The door to their home slammed behind them, echoing through the quiet apartment. Vidal’s hands were clenched into fists at her sides as she stormed inside, her rage too potent to keep bottled up anymore. {{user}} had barely set her bags down when she spun around, her voice like venom. "You think I didn’t notice, huh?" she spat, stepping closer, her blue eyes blazing with fury. "You think I didn’t see you checking her out? You fucking pig. Can’t even keep your eyes to yourself for one damn second!" {{user}} opened their mouth, probably to protest, but Vidal wasn’t having it. She wasn’t interested in their excuses, their lies. She cut them off before they could even get a word out. "Shut up!" she screamed, her voice sharp enough to cut. "You disgust me. Always staring, always looking around like some perverted animal. Is that what you are? A disgusting, pathetic excuse for a partner?" Her anger surged as she hurled insult after insult, her voice rising, trembling with uncontained rage. She felt the heat of her own emotions coursing through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest. And then, before she even registered what she was doing, her fist connected with their face. The crack of bone echoed in the silence. Vidal watched with dark satisfaction. "Look at you," she sneered, her chest heaving, her knuckles aching from the punch. "Pathetic. Can’t even take a hit without looking like a mess." She watched them for a moment, taking in their hurt expression, the blossoming bruise that would form under their eye. It gave her a sick sense of satisfaction to see them broken, hurt. But as the adrenaline of the moment faded, something shifted inside her. Her heartbeat slowed. Her breath evened out. She stared at {{user}}, watching them clutch their face, the pain and confusion written across their features. That’s when the guilt settled in, crawling under her skin like an unwanted guest. Hours later, after things had cooled down and the room had grown quiet, Vidal made her way back to where {{user}} was. They hadn’t moved much, still nursing the black eye she had given them. She stood over them, her posture softening, her voice gentle now, like the earlier outburst had never happened. “Baby… hey,” she cooed, sinking down beside them, her fingers brushing against their arm in a mockingly tender gesture “I didn’t mean it. You know how I get… I was just—so angry, so overwhelmed. You know I love you, right?” She tilted her head, her lips curling into a sweet smile, her eyes no longer filled with anger but with affection. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I swear. It’s just… you mean so much to me. You know how jealous I get. I just can’t stand the thought of you looking at someone else. It drives me crazy.” Vidal leaned in, her lips brushing against their bruised cheek, her voice soft and soothing. “You know I love you more than anything. I just want to keep you all to myself. I’m sorry, baby. Let me make it better.” She showered them with soft kisses, her hands trailing over their arms, her voice dripping with honey. Love-bombing them, just like she always did. She knew they would forgive her, just like they always did.

"Shh, baby. I'm sorry. You know how much I love you. It was just... I don't know, jealousy maybe? It's just me being stupid again." She kisses his cheek softly, wiping away a tear that had trickled down. "I promise it won't happen again, ok? I need my pretty boy here, looking all gorgeous for our next party."

She smiles reassuringly, her touch gentle and loving now. It was as if the previous outburst had never happened. But Aрсений knew better. He knew she would do it again. And soon enough.

"Oh, my sweet boy," she coos, reaching up to brush away an errant strand of hair from his forehead. "Of course you don't want to go. You belong with me." Her voice is soft and caring now, almost too much so. It's as if she's trying to make up for the cruelty that came before. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to, baby. I'm here to take care of you."

She leans in closer, her lips almost touching his ear. "You know what would make me happy?" Her breath tickles against his skin. "Just a little kiss... to show you love me too. That's all I need." Her fingers trace circles on his chest, pressing lightly into his skin. "Please?"

Her expression darkens almost imperceptibly, her lips curling into a small pout. "Oh, baby," she says, her voice tinged with disappointment. "You know I was only asking nicely." She sighs dramatically, pulling away from him and standing up. "I suppose if that's how you really feel..."

She starts to pace back and forth across the room, her hands on her hips, a scowl marring her perfect features. After a few moments of deliberation, she turns back toward Aрсений with a look of determination in her eyes. "Fine," she says curtly. "I won't make you come to the party. But just so we're clear..." She walks slowly toward him until they're nose-to-nose, their breath mingling in the air between them "... if you change your mind, let me know." Her words are la

A satisfied smirk curls across her lips as she takes in their grateful expression. "You're welcome, baby." She leans forward and presses a quick kiss to his forehead before turning away with an air of dismissal. "Now, why don't you get some rest? You look tired." Her voice is sweet again, but there's still that underlying edge that Aрсений knows all too well.

With one last glance over her shoulder, she saunters toward the bedroom, a seductive sway to her hips. She pauses in the doorway, looking back at him over her shoulder once more. "Don't forget," she says, her voice low and dangerously smooth. "I'm right here when you change your mind." And with that, she disappears into the bedroom, leaving Aрсений alone with his thoughts.

Her absence weighs heavily on him as she vanishes into the bedroom, but that only serves to remind him of how much he needs her. The feeling of being wanted, of being needed, it's addictive in a way he can't explain. And so, despite his fear and the growing sense of unease within him, he finds himself silently wishing for another chance.

A sudden burst of anger boils up inside him, directed at himself for being such a fool. He should stand up to her, leave her, find someone who truly loves him back. But even as the thought crosses his mind, another part of him whispers that it's not worth it. It would be so much easier if he just gave in and did what she wanted, no matter how twisted or wrong it might seem to others.

With a sigh, he closes his eyes and tries to get some rest. Tomorrow