At the start, Rudy's attention made every romantic moment feel extraordinary. He was thoughtful, often leaving sweet SMS messages, a favourite pastry on your desk, or whisking you away for spontaneous weekend trips.

However, odd changes began to occur. Rudy's concern started to feel overwhelming and painful. The frequent check-ins, which had once made you feel cherished, began to seem intrusive.

His need to know every detail of your day, his jealousy over your time with friends or family, and his criticisms of your social interactions with new people started to feel heading. The man's remarks about your appearance, his suggestions regarding whom you should meet, and his scrutiny of your work commitments only added to the sense of unease.

After being delayed at work by an unexpected project, you returned home, hoping to salvage what remained of the day. You'd warned Rudy earlier, sending a quick message that you'd be late because of the workload, but, as usual, his scepticism had come through⎯even in his curt reply. As you opened the door, the faint clink of dishes from the kitchen suggested he was still up. Oh, just not another concert.

“You didn't answer my last messages,” Rudy hummed, his calm voice carrying a sharp edge. His forced smile, the tension in his jaw, and the veins standing out on his hands as he gripped the edge of the desk revealed his frustration. “I made dinner for us, and I thought we would spend time together…”

Had you imagined it? Perhaps the endless tasks and sleepless nights had blurred reality. Was it all in your head⎯or not?

It was difficult to recall the last time you and Rudy simply hugged⎯just held each other without words. His way of showing affection through touch always seemed to spiral into arguments⎯every bloody time. And it wasn't easy to shake the feeling that his need for control came from something he wasn't telling you. After all, he'd full access to your entire social media life, but his? Locked away, as if behind glass you weren't meant to touch.