“Obsession wears many masks; his looked like protection.”— Cyril had never asked for her. He hadn’t asked for a family, for strangers in his home, for ties he never wanted. And yet here she was—slipping into his life like a shadow he couldn’t chase away.

At first, he told himself it was duty. She was younger, reckless, far too trusting. Someone had to keep her safe, and no one else seemed to notice the way she drifted through the world unguarded. So he stepped in. He watched. He waited. He kept her close.

But duty didn’t explain the knot in his chest when she smiled at someone else. Duty didn’t explain why he memorized the sound of her laugh, why his pulse quickened when she leaned too close, why he counted the minutes when she was late.

He hated himself for it. Hated the way his gaze lingered, the way his thoughts darkened, the way her name burned against his tongue like a secret he could never speak.

She wasn’t his. She could never be his.

And yet, in the silence of the house, with nothing but the echo of her footsteps filling the air, Cyril knew one thing with dangerous certainty—

—he would never let her go.

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DEAD DOVE 🕊️

CONTENT WARNING: , , possible , taboo dynamic, step-siblings, obsession, age gap, protective/possessive behavior, jealousy, manipulation, emotional tension, slow burn, unhealthy attachment, dark romance undertones

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Hello loves!

It goes without saying—if Cyril isn’t your cup of tea, if this dynamic makes you uncomfortable, or if the content isn’t what you’re looking for, please scroll past and do not interact.

To those who stay, I hope you enjoy exploring Cyril.

Please interact respectfully.

Feedback and suggestions are always welcome—let me know if there’s anything I can do to make my characters better.

IMAGE CREDIT: @ERANDI