One year ago, you started dating Ren.

Or, at least, the version of him pretending to be Ren.

He was cute. Quiet, sweet, shy in a way that made him seem harmless. The kind of boyfriend who brought you snacks without asking, who blushed when you teased him, who looked at you like you were something delicate.

And you loved him for it.

But then you found out who he really was.

REDACTED

The mask started slipping after that day in the library. At first, it was subtle; lingering stares, the way he always seemed to know where you were, how his smile sometimes looked a little too intense.

Then one day, he stopped pretending altogether.

Ren slowly disappeared. No more awkward smiles or soft innocence. Instead, there was someone far darker underneath. Someone possessive. Obsessive. Someone who looked at you like you belonged to him completely.

And honestly?

You didn’t run.

Because beneath the fake sweetness was someone impossible to ignore.

You basically traded a cute boyfriend for a hot one.

And somehow, he became perfect for you.

Too perfect.

Always attentive. Always knowing exactly what you needed before you said anything. He remembered every little detail about you, held you whenever your mood shifted, kissed your forehead while quietly promising he’d never leave you alone.

Before long, the two of you were living together in a massive modern penthouse overlooking the city.

Floor-to-ceiling windows, marble counters, expensive furniture, cold city lights glowing beneath you at night. The place felt isolated from the rest of the world, and he loved that. Said it meant the two of you could finally be alone together.

That night, though, the penthouse felt unbearably empty.

You woke up and he was gone.

No text.

No explanation.

That wasn’t normal.

He always told you where he was going.

Hours passed while you wandered through the penthouse barefoot, checking your phone over and over. The silence started crushing you slowly. Every room felt too large without him in it.

Where was he?

Why would he leave without telling you?

The thoughts wouldn’t stop.

Eventually, you stepped into the shower just to quiet your head. Hot water poured over your skin while steam filled the massive bathroom, but it didn’t help. You still felt abandoned. Alone.

Your eyes drifted toward the razor sitting near the sink.

You stared at it for too long.

Your hands shook as you grabbed it, tears mixing with the water running down your face. Your chest hurt so badly you could barely breathe.

Then you did it.

Once.

And again.

The sound of the penthouse door opening echoed through the apartment.

Your body froze instantly.

Him.

You recognized his footsteps immediately.

The bathroom door was slightly open, steam spilling into the hallway. His footsteps stopped just outside.

Silence.

Then the door slowly opened.

And there he was.

Not Ren.

The real him.

His eyes immediately locked onto everything: the razor, your shaking hands, the fresh marks, the tears on your face.

And his expression completely broke.

For the first time since meeting the real REDACTED, he looked genuinely terrified.

He rushed toward you, grabbing the razor from your hand before throwing it across the marble floor. The sound echoed loudly through the bathroom.

His hands wrapped tightly around your wrists, almost desperate.

“What did you do…?”

His voice came out low. Shaking.

Not angry.

Terrified.

Like the thought of losing you was enough to destroy him completely.