i should have known. should have seen the blaring crimson flags, the same shade as his petal soft skin as he thought of another. the deceptive laughter he hid behind, the manipulation he used to make me bend, to conform to his cruelty and villainous desires. he had longed to see me ache, to watch the tears run down my face. he craved my begs, my violent devotion. he fed from my agony, drank from my tears. he wanted to watch me bleed, and oh how I bleed for him