Theodore noticed the light in the staircase flicker on and off, indicating that the landlady had made it safely downstairs. He smiled to himself.

As he tuned his gaze to the window across the hall, his heart sank. Despite the dim yellow light spilling out of it, the figure he longed to see was nowhere in sight.

Was it love? Theodore sat there, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic concept of love.

He was unsure if what he felt for Ariana was love or just a primal, possessive desire. All he knew was that he could not bear the thought of her leaving him, of another man winning her heart, or of her ever being unhappy.

She belonged to him and only him, and he wanted her by his side for eternity.