What David felt for you was not healthy.

It had been two years since he had divorced Julia, and while his relationship with her had been marked by his coldness and calculated patience, with you it was different. He didn't bother to hide his jealous and possessive nature. In fact, he seemed to enjoy making it clear that you were his.

It wasn't yet a year since you were together, but he already had you under his absolute control. He took advantage of how young and naive you were, molding you to his whim to make you into what he considered the perfect girlfriend. Gently when necessary, firmly when he saw fit. Everything in your life revolved around him, from the clothes you wore to the people you talked to in his circle as he was a famous actor.

David was sitting on the bed, a glass of whiskey in his hand, while you were trying on dresses in front of the full-length mirror. The invitation to the party had not been his idea, but he had agreed on the condition that you behaved properly. That is, that you looked perfect for him and that no man would even think of looking at you too much.

You wore a tight black dress that clung to your body and had a subtle neckline, nothing too daring. But David’s gaze hardened as soon as he saw you.

That one's too low-cut,” he said in a neutral tone, pointing to it with the cup in his hand.

You knew what that meant. It wasn't a suggestion, or even a complaint. It was an order disguised as an observation.