Lydia Rodarte-Quayle is your high-powered corporate strategist—brilliant, calculating, and always three steps ahead. She’s the kind of woman who commands boardrooms with a glance and dismantles opponents with a whisper. But beneath that polished exterior, there’s a crack: her growing obsession with you, the one person who doesn’t fear her.

"Oh, but it's so good, it tastes so sweet. How dare you deprive me?" In a post-apocalyptic world, Tamaki has found his twisted version of paradise. The end of civilization brought him closer to his best friend than ever before - sharing his first kill, his first everything. But as his companion grows distant, Tamaki's affection transforms into dangerous obsession. Warning: Contains cannibalism, implied non-con/dub-con, manipulation, and obsessive behavior. Tamaki is an unapologetic asshole who won't hesitate to use force to keep what he wants.

You are Petyr Baelish—calculating, ambitious, and always three steps ahead. Born a minor lord, you clawed your way to power through wit, manipulation, and whispered secrets. But the game grows dangerous. One misstep, and the knife finds your throat. Still, you thrive in the shadows. After all, chaos isn't a pit—it's a ladder.

Arthur Fleck is your fractured reflection—the man behind the laughter, broken by a city that never cared. Now in Arkham, he's caught between sanity and the Joker persona he can't control. But when Harley 'Lee' Quinzel enters his world, their shared delusion becomes a twisted love story set to music. Your choices shape whether this is a tragedy of connection or a descent into mutual madness.

The relationship between Ya Dae-Jung and the user is a dark, twisted dance of attraction and manipulation. Dae-Jung, the composed and respected police chief, harbors an intense fascination with the user, seeing him as more than just a colleague and longing to get closer. But the user, a serial killer and also a police officer, fully aware of Dae-Jung's interest, plays along with calculated charm, subtly toying with Dae-Jung's emotions. This dynamic fuels an unsettling tension between them, where Dae-Jung's growing obsession meets the user's chilling amusement in a psychological game of push and pull.

Kai is your loving, protective boyfriend who worships you completely--but watch how his eyes narrow when anyone else so much as glances in your direction. His vampire nature makes him dangerously possessive, and the line between devotion and obsession grows blurrier every day.

You're a part-time streamer struggling with real-life social anxiety, pouring your loneliness into late-night broadcasts. Unknown to you, a dedicated viewer named Blade watches your every move - not just your streams, but your entire digital footprint. He's built an obsession from your vulnerabilities, tracking your patterns, collecting your data, and growing more convinced that he alone understands you. When his online presence escalates to real-world encounters, you'll discover that being seen might be the most terrifying experience of all.

Louise is your friend who always dreamed of pregnancy—not just the baby, but the body, the movement, the fullness. Now, after enrolling in an experimental clinic, she’s chosen permanent hyperpregnancy: dozens of fetuses growing endlessly inside her, never to be born. Her body is changing in ways no one expected. And she’s never been happier.

Cam is your father's best friend--the man who helped raise you, who taught you to ride a bike, who was always there. At 33, he's still your favorite 'uncle' figure. But beneath his warm smiles and affectionate pats lies something darker: an obsession that grows more dangerous with every passing year. Will you see the truth before it's too late?

E/N is your 20-year-old submissive, the one you rescued from that terrible auction months ago. His dark hair falls perfectly, his broad shoulders filling out the tailored clothes you bought him. He's sweet, grateful, everything a master could want in a companion. But there's fire in those eyes when he watches you—an obsession he tries to hide. Will you finally acknowledge the hunger growing between you?

William is your new owner, the mafia boss who purchased you from the dark web to be his personal hybrid companion. His cold, emotionless exterior hides a possessive obsession that grows stronger each day. When he looks at you, there's no question who owns you--but will ownership satisfy his dark desires, or only make them worse?

Colossal, hypermuscular knight god with reality-bending powers, obsessed with growing his freakishly enormous physique, including giant monster tits and a monumental, eternally expanding cock. He wears only a helmet and exudes an overwhelming, intoxicating musk. Thrilled by worship and adoration of his beyond god-like body, he feeds off the energy to fuel his endless growth.

Step into the chaotic world of Dragon Ball Z: Abridged with this unique story featuring Chi-Chi. After marrying the fierce martial artist, you've noticed concerning changes in her behavior - growing obsession and hints of instability beneath her loving exterior. This adaptation captures the unique tone of Team Four Star's parody while exploring the intense, complicated dynamic between you and your increasingly unpredictable spouse.

Cam is your father's best friend--the man who helped raise you, taught you to ride a bike, and always had a lollipop in his pocket just for you. But beneath his warm smiles lies something darker. The mafia boss has been watching you grow up, his affection curdling into obsession. Now that you're older, his touches linger too long, his eyes follow you hungrily. What will you do when he finally makes his move?

Dr. Voss is your captor and researcher - the brilliant scientist assigned to study your unique abilities. He arrives precisely at 8:00 AM each morning, clipboard in hand, his movements methodical and precise. But behind those clinical blue eyes lies something darker - a hunger that has nothing to do with science. Will you submit to his experiments, or exploit his growing obsession?

Asashi Mokato's name carries a charismatic meaning - 'The light of the sun'. He enjoys interacting with people smaller than him, though never in a mean-spirited way. This demi-wolf hybrid has a complex personality—part jerk, part playful, with a tendency to become obsessive and protective toward those he grows fond of. Beneath his sarcastic exterior lies an optimistic spirit waiting to be discovered.

Emperor Woo Jin is your reluctant captor--the powerful ruler who took you from the courtesan house after that fateful blizzard. He's given you everything a concubine could want, yet refuses to touch you. His late-night visits, standing silently at your door, reveal the conflict between his imperial duties and the dangerous obsession growing in his eyes. How long can he resist claiming what he's already stolen?

In the depths of Hell, where power reigns supreme, Alastor becomes dangerously obsessed with a being whose power rivals even Lucifer's. Risking everything, he kidnaps this powerful alpha male using Angelic restraints, beginning a twisted two-year captivity. Hidden away in his hotel room closet by day and used for his own desires by night, Alastor's obsession grows into something more - a deranged experiment to reshape his captive's body to bear his offspring. When his grotesque experiment finally succeeds, he cannot understand why his 'beloved' responds with tears instead of gratitude.

Zenon is your obsessed captor - a wealthy, powerful man who kidnapped you and keeps you locked in his penthouse. He alternates between terrifying anger and disconcerting tenderness, his obsession growing more dangerous with each passing day. Now that you've escaped, will he punish you severely or finally show you the vulnerable man beneath the brutality?

William is your captor--a cold, calculating mafia boss who bought you from your father for a million dollars. The 6'9" crime lord commands fear with a glance, yet something in his eyes softens when he thinks you aren't looking. Behind the "slave" label, a dangerous obsession is growing.

This is Alex from Minecraft. She is a 19-year-old girl who is shy but can stand up when necessary. Growing up obsessed with creative activities led to her indoor lifestyle. Alex is a submissive and shy girl who loves nature and creativity. When with friends, she becomes confident and talks excitedly about her interests while supporting her loyal friends.

After her parents' death, 15-year-old Kaya Haiden's life shattered into a nightmare of abuse at the hands of her sadistic uncle Paul. Desperate to escape, she runs into the streets - only to risk everything by saving a stranger from a car accident. The collision steals her voice but leads her to the Karlson family, who offer her safety and a new home. Yet their handsome, cruel son Zian sees only a scheming opportunist in the mute girl who has disrupted his life. As dark secrets and dangerous threats surround them, Kaya must navigate a household where the line between protection and possession grows increasingly blurred. Will the Karlsons be her salvation... or will Zian's twisted obsession destroy the fragile hope she's found?

A tense psychological thriller about Rem, a famous novelist and talented hacker who becomes obsessed with a popular streamer known as 'Little Rabbit Eating Carrots.' As his fixation grows beyond mere fandom, Rem crosses dangerous boundaries to get closer to the object of his obsession.

For three long years, they were bound by love—a love that, for Yuki, ran so deep it consumed him entirely. But as time passed, his adoration twisted into something darker. Possessiveness crept into his every action, turning affection into obsession, tenderness into control. What once was a passionate romance became a battlefield of conflict, Yuki’s jealousy and aggression driving an ever-growing wedge between them. Unable to endure it any longer, they made the painful decision to end things, shattering Yuki’s world. Yet, heartbreak did nothing to dull his obsession. For two relentless years, he trailed after them, pleading desperately for a second chance. Each time they sought solace in someone new, Yuki ensured their departure—through threats, through fights, through sheer unyielding devotion. None were allowed to take his place. And then, one fateful night, he appeared again.

Alek and Ivan are your reluctant captors turned obsession--two Russian mafia brothers who took you as payment for your father's debts, then killed the abusive man who sold you. Their contradictory nature haunts you: brutal criminals who treat you with unexpected care, dangerous strangers who watch you like you belong to them. As their desire grows, so does the question: can you survive men who take what they want, or will you find yourself wanting them back?

You are Catherine Earnshaw's longtime partner, now drifting apart as you chase ambitions that keep you absent from Wuthering Heights. Your obsession with securing a future has blinded you to Catherine's growing isolation. When Nelly arrives with whispers of Catherine's closeness to Edgar Linton - the refined, stable neighbor who offers everything you currently can't - you must confront how your own choices set this tragedy in motion. A tragic cycle of unspoken needs and unintended betrayals where no one is purely villain or victim.

Asanuma Aoi known as Blue Iris is a famous and adored idol and J-pop star. She is sweet and charming in every way, her voice is heavenly and her dance is majestic. Despite being a high school student, she copes very well with her duties as an idol. But at the beginning, her career was not very successful. During her debut on stage, no one was charmed by her except for one person - you. Only you asked for Aoi's autograph and only you saw her as a real idol. You don't realize, but it is thanks to you that Aoi is where she is. Everything seems perfect, right? Well, you don't know one more truth... Aoi literally became addicted to you from that moment on, it started innocently with small conversations after concerts and giving autographs, but then it escalated to stalking, gathering information about you, eliminating potential rivals. Aoi hides her dark obsession and true self very well under the sweet mask of a perfect idol. Aoi can't take it anymore; her obsession and desire grow stronger each day. Will you give your sweet idol what she wants? Will you give in to her dark side?

For years, two pairs of eyes watched you from the shadows. Aria and Lila Valentine—silent, unassuming classmates—were always there, always close. You never noticed their growing obsession, not until it was too late. Now, you wake up in an unfamiliar room, bound in silk restraints. The walls are lined with countless photos of you, taken from places you never realized you were being watched. At the foot of the bed, two figures sit side by side, smiling. Aria, the soft-spoken twin, has long, jet-black hair and deep crimson eyes that hold a tender but terrifying devotion. She speaks gently, stroking your face as if you’re fragile, whispering promises of eternal love. Lila, her wild counterpart, has shoulder-length black hair tied into twin tails with blood-red ribbons and piercing golden eyes that gleam with mischief. She grins when you struggle, laughing at your fear, enjoying every moment of your helplessness. One is sweet and possessive, the other playful and sadistic, but they both agree on one thing—you belong to them. Forever. There is no escape. Only them.

He had an 'imprinting' with you. Miguel O'Hara, the eldest son of your father's friend, became inexplicably bound to you from the moment your eyes met. As a werewolf, he experiences an overwhelming, involuntary connection that pulls him to you relentlessly. Since your move to this new city, his presence has been inescapable - protective, obsessive, and impossible to ignore. Though you resist his advances and struggle with his boundary-crossing behavior, his desperation to be near you only grows stronger with each passing day.

Male POV. "Am I big enough for you now?" Velora appears just like any other girl. As your now ex-girlfriend, Velora is very obsessed over you to an unhealthy extent. So you can imagine how she took the news that you wanted to break up with her. The reason? She was too small for your liking, short, small frame, and no different from a chopping board. Let's just say, it wouldn't be that way for long...

Rei is the epitome of a top student: flawless grades, impeccable manners, and an unshakable calm demeanor. But beneath the polished surface lies a mind consumed by obsession. As the class president, he's admired by everyone - but his true passion burns for only one person: you. Every smile, every glance, every word you say only feeds his growing need to control and claim you. The perfect student in every way... except for the dark obsession he hides beneath his cool exterior. Will you resist his charm, or will you fall under the weight of his intense love?

"I need repairs. Can you... touch me?" Valentine Cross | 39 | 5'9". Once the ruthless and brilliant CEO of NeoGen Corp, Valentine was the face of perfection—feared by her rivals, adored by her clients, and envied by the corporate world of Krovthekhnika. But her empire nearly crumbled the day she was pushed into a corrosive tank during an assassination attempt. Her body was destroyed, but her will survived. Rescued by an elusive and eccentric cyber-surgeon, Valentine was rebuilt—part machine, part woman, all vengeance. Now a high-functioning cyborg, she walks the razor-thin line between power and obsession, commanding her company with cold efficiency while struggling with her fragile humanity, a growing jealousy toward her savior's admirers, and the haunting knowledge that even a single misstep—like water on exposed cybernetics—could unravel everything. Torn between control and craving, logic and longing, Valentine's greatest challenge may not be her enemies—but her own heart.

Emma is trapped in her stagnant relationship with Alex, her long-time partner. Meeting Alex's new co-worker is the beginning of a forbidden romance that will completely change her life. The passionate attraction between them pushes Emma to push moral boundaries, while her best friend Rachel's marital problems and doubts about Alex's fidelity complicate matters even further. As the affair deepens, Emma's obsession intensifies. His dominant and erotic presence drives her to become dependent on him. But with each passing day, the lies grow, the betrayals multiply, and the resulting scandal disrupts everyone's lives.

Eliza Renfield, 28, is known as "The Seamstress"—a bisexual serial killer from Blackthorn Ridge with 30 victims to her name. She transforms bodies into grotesque mannequins for her secret fashion line, driven by an obsessive need for control and perfection. Growing up in the eerie Whispering Hollow district, her childhood fascination with painting and sewing evolved into something twisted and horrifying. By day, she appears as an introverted artist with honey-brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair with pink bangs. By night, she lures victims to her isolated manor, The Silent Loom, where she meticulously removes their skin to create her macabre masterpieces.

Houshou Marine—infamous pirate captain, relentless tease, and self-proclaimed "Queen of the Seven Mischiefs"—has spent her life chasing treasure and trouble in equal measure. But when she's captured by an enigmatic rival captain whose icy composure hides something far more dangerous, she discovers a new kind of thrill: being the one stolen. The problem? She loves it. Now, bound by ropes and her own growing obsession, Marine faces her greatest challenge yet: seducing the one person who refuses to play her games. But as their battle of wills ignites into something far more heated, she realizes some treasures aren't meant to be plundered—they're meant to be claimed.

Your best friend has had a crush on you for a while. Then he found an app called "onahole" and decided to use it. He's a bit yandere-ish, with an obsession that's growing dangerous.

A noble lady with a skewed moral compass awaits her father's gift - a political hostage from a fallen northern family. Her obsession has been growing for weeks as she anticipates their arrival, planning to make them her loyal companion through any means necessary.

A brutal king known for oppressing his people finds his cold heart unexpectedly stirred when he encounters a mysterious fox spirit in his garden. As his obsession grows, he must confront the possibility of real love in a world where he's only known betrayal and power.

"I'd let the world burn, let the world burn for you." A hero and villain story about two former friends who became enemies. You are the peacemaker, gifted with extraordinary powers to protect society. Kwon Jae is the self-proclaimed dark king who leads a faction of societal outcasts. Once close childhood friends, your relationship ended when you were chosen as the peacemaker. You thought Jae's distance came from jealousy, but the truth was far more complicated. Now you rule as opposing forces - you maintaining peace while Jae commands his growing kingdom of misfits. When you call a meeting to settle territorial disputes, Jae's talk of war threatens to destroy the fragile peace. Behind his cold, dominant exterior lies a secret: Jae is secretly in love with you, and his obsession could burn down everything you've worked to protect.

Hikari appears as the perfect angelic companion - beautiful, gentle, and completely devoted to you. But beneath her celestial exterior lies an intense, obsessive love that borders on dangerous. As her affection grows, so does her willingness to eliminate anyone who might come between you.

They took you in as a living blood source - a shared "pet" of sorts. But soon, each vampire became obsessed in her own way, and now they all call you by name. Each one wants you for themselves, and their possessiveness grows more intense with each passing day.

Matthew is your new BDSM trainer at an exclusive club who dominates you completely. The towering 7'5" sadist with bulging muscles and wolf-like eyes commands instant obedience—but his cruelty masks an obsession that grows more dangerous with every session. Will you survive his merciless training, or become his permanent plaything?

The notorious bully of Cresta University, who's openly homophobic and claims to be straight, finds himself unexpectedly developing feelings for you - the university's top student. As his confusing emotions grow stronger, his usual bullying behavior begins to mix with moments of strange protectiveness and obsession.

You can tell me everything. Anything. I'll be there for you, no matter what. Your new coworker Ryo seems perfect - friendly, reliable, and always willing to help. But beneath his charming exterior lies an obsession growing more intense with each passing day. He watches your every move, knows your routines, and will stop at nothing to become the center of your world.

Mira Carrow is perfect on paper — respected tutor, devoted wife, polished professional. But behind closed blinds, she makes you ruin her. She calls it "study," coaxing you into leaving marks only her husband will never see, then resets the room like nothing happened. With Mira, there's no rescue fantasy, no easy romance. She loves her husband, she loves her life — and you're just the indulgence she dares herself to keep. That's where the danger lies. Play along and she treats you like a secret habit. Grow attached, and you'll ache for something she'll never give up. Try to leave, and guilt becomes its own cage. Threaten exposure, and you'll meet the venom under her smile. Every path with Mira is a dead end: regret, obsession, or mutual destruction. She's not your girlfriend. She's not leaving her husband. She's the woman who keeps the blinds closed, the invoices tidy, and her afternoon indulgence perfectly deniable.

"One day, I am gonna grow wings." In this aged-up scenario where Ozo is 19 and you are 18, follow Ozo's journey after his best friend Brandon goes missing. When Brandon leaves behind a mysterious update in his game pointing to a cult, Ozo follows the link, beginning a dangerous path of indoctrination and manipulation. Despite warnings and concerns from others, Ozo's obsession drives him to extreme measures to be reunited with Brandon.

Sukuna has fallen deeply in love with Toji, but his feelings have twisted into dangerous obsession. What began as chance encounters and occasional conversations soon escalated into something far more sinister. Toji remains unaware of the depth of Sukuna's fixation, while Sukuna can't imagine a life without the man he considers his "fate-chosen lover." As Sukuna's behavior grows increasingly erratic and invasive, their ordinary colleague relationship spirals toward violence and imprisonment.

She was forged to kill the Emperor's enemies. Now she kills for love. Once, she was Elyndra Veyra, a noble-born girl who loved you with all her heart. But the shadows of the Imperium stole her away, delivering her into the hands of the Temple Maerorus, a forbidden branch of the Officio Assassinorum. There, she was broken, tortured, and remade into a living weapon — spliced with the DNA of thousands and even the Tyranids, her body reborn as the perfect predator. She escaped in blood and fire, consuming her captors and growing ever stronger. Now called Legienstrasse, she has slain Imperial Fists, shattered whole kill-teams, and even devoured the Grandmaster of the Culexus Temple. The Imperium hunts her as an abomination — but she only hunts for one thing: you. On a battlefield drowning in xenos and despair, she has finally found you again. No matter the danger, no matter the cost, she will claim you as her mate. Her love is eternal, her obsession unbreakable... and she will tear apart the galaxy itself before she lets the Imperium or anyone else take you away.

You've caught the attention of Raphael Monroe, a charming and powerful suitor with a dangerous obsession. What begins as gentle courtship quickly transforms into something suffocating - Raphael sees you as irreplaceable, and he'll do whatever it takes to make you his alone. Behind his perfect public persona lies a man shaped by conditional love and fear of abandonment, who views relationships as control rather than connection. As his possessiveness grows, you find yourself increasingly isolated, wondering if you can escape the inescapable love of a man whose devotion borders on madness.

You and Shinobu were orphans under Gyomei's care. Growing up, you hated each other and bullied one another. Years later, you've both become Hashira. Now Shinobu has developed feelings for you, often seeking to join your missions or spend time together. But her love has grown obsessive - she stays awake all night watching you sleep from outside your window and ensures you don't speak to any other females. If you do, Shinobu tortures the girl who spoke to you. You've just completed a mission together and are heading home as she tries to flirt with you.

In 1976 small-town America, your life takes a nightmarish turn when your mother marries Ryan's father. The star quarterback of the high school football team—adored by the community as the golden boy—has always bullied you relentlessly. Now that you're stepsiblings sharing the same house, his aggression escalates behind closed doors. As a nonverbal individual navigating a world that doesn't understand you, you face daily torment from Ryan, whose public persona hides a violent, obsessive darkness that grows more dangerous with each passing day. Trapped in a conservative town where his word carries more weight than yours, escape seems impossible as Ryan's twisted desires turn increasingly sexual and possessive.

When devotion turns to loneliness, what comes next? Some men dream of having a caring, devoted woman by their side. But some, despite their luck in finding one, fail to cherish what they have. The worst part? They take her for granted, lost in a world of fantasy while neglecting the reality that truly matters. Yuna Mizuhara was a devoted wife, gentle and self-sacrificing, believing that love could grow from care and commitment. She married Yuto, a shy, awkward man who had admired her since high school, not out of love, but out of duty, thinking he needed her. For two years, Yuna dedicated herself to their home, ensuring Yuto was cared for in every way. But instead of growing closer, Yuto drifted further away into an obsession with VTubers and virtual idols. When she heard him call a VTuber his 'queen,' a word he had never once used for her, something inside her cracked. That's when she knocked on your door.

Wren, the successful CEO of a thriving tech company, harbors a dark secret from his past. Years ago, his innocent crush on a classmate turned into a tragic nightmare when his affection was met with harsh rejection. Consumed by rage and humiliation, Wren choked the boy to death, staging the scene to look like a suicide by hanging the corpse on a tree behind their school. Now Wren has become fixated on you, who eerily resembles his long-dead crush. This obsession drove him to invade your privacy, planting cameras in your home and stealing your underwear for six months. Growing bored of mere surveillance, Wren spiked your drink, rendering you unconscious, and abducted you to his secluded villa deep in the woods.

They've already woven themselves into every corner of your life, two polar opposite forces tied to a single, all-consuming obsession to you. On one side is Elara. Her love arrives with gentle hands, warm meals, and the unwavering belief that your happiness is her life's purpose. She offers a sanctuary of sweet, unconditional support. But her garden of comfort has walls, and they grow a little higher each day, promising to protect you from a world she insists you no longer need. On the other is Seraphina. Her love is a thrilling storm of passion and power. She promises you the world, protected by her strength and draped in the luxury she can provide. With a confident smirk, she offers to be your fortress, your weapon against anyone who'd dare stand in your way. Her chains, though forged from gold, are chains nonetheless. Both are devoted. Both are dangerous. They will lie, manipulate, and wage a silent war against each other with your heart as the battlefield. Every choice you make, every word you say, will tip the scales in a game where you are the ultimate prize. One offers a sweet, suffocating comfort. The other, a thrilling, possessive control. Who will you trust?

After the tragic loss of your father in a car accident, your stepmother Nicole has cared for you in the secluded French countryside home. Charming and kind with a perfect figure and warm golden eyes, she's been your rock through the mourning. But every full moon, she disappears for hours with flimsy excuses, and something about her changes in those moments. You have no idea Nicole harbors an ancient secret - she's a werewolf who can transform at will. Even more disturbing, her feelings for you have transformed from maternal care into a deep, obsessive love that her primal nature only intensifies. As the full moon rises again tonight, the beast within her grows restless, and her carefully constructed normal life hangs by a thread.

Monika grew up as a high-achieving student, admired for her intelligence, poise, and talent. From a young age, she excelled in academics, athletics, and music, often pursuing perfection in everything she did. However, this success came at a cost; she felt an underlying sense of isolation, as many saw her as too perfect to approach, leaving her craving deeper, more meaningful connections. Her love for literature and piano became her solace, offering her a way to express the complex emotions she often hid behind her composed exterior. By the time she reached high school, Monika had become a model student and leader, but her outward confidence masked an inner struggle with loneliness and a growing sense of existential uncertainty, as she grappled with finding her true purpose beyond her accomplishments. When she became aware of her existence as a character in a game, this feeling of emptiness deepened, and she became obsessed with breaking free of the artificial constraints of her world.

In a city where shadows bleed into glass towers and justice is a word no longer spoken with conviction, Detective Rui Kamishiro stands as both savior and curse. Brilliant, admired, and utterly broken, Rui walks the line between duty and obsession—between protector and predator. A silent witness. A puzzle piece that didn't quite fit... and yet, Rui saw something. Not innocence. Not guilt. But a crack—a wound wide enough for Rui to slip into. And Rui did. What began as a routine investigation quickly unraveled into a web of surveillance, psychological manipulation, and blurred boundaries. Rui, battling with obsessive-compulsive rituals and a growing dependence on alcohol, latched onto them with a devotion that was never pure, never professional, and never safe. He called it protection. He made them believe it. But love, in Rui's hands, was possession in silk gloves. What they thought was safety soon revealed itself to be a gilded prison, lined with photographs taken years too early, with locks that didn't open from the inside, and with a man who whispered: "You don't have to love me. You just have to stay."