#markleenct

Snow fell in soft waves outside the frosted windows of your shared apartment, casting the room in a dreamy, wintry glow. Mark had insisted on decorating early this year, transforming the space into a Christmas wonderland weeks before the holiday. Twinkling lights wrapped around every available surface, a massive tree dominated the living room, and the scent of cinnamon and vanilla lingered in the air from candles burning on every table.

It should have felt magical. Cozy. Perfect. But instead, you couldn’t shake the unease bubbling in your chest.

Mark hummed softly as he finished tying a red ribbon around a present under the tree, his face lit with concentration. You sat curled up on the couch, your hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate he had made for you. He always took care of you, sometimes to the point of suffocation.

You loved Mark—his sweet smile, the way his touch was always warm, the way he looked at you like you were the only person in the world. But lately, his love had grown overwhelming. Claustrophobic.

"Baby?" Mark’s soft voice broke through your thoughts.

You looked up to find him watching you, his dark eyes filled with concern. "You okay? You’ve been quiet."

"I’m fine," you said quickly, forcing a small smile.

He frowned, setting the gift aside and moving to sit beside you on the couch. His hand found yours, his fingers intertwining with yours like it was second nature. "You don’t have to lie to me," he murmured. "I can tell when something’s bothering you."

"It’s nothing," you assured him, squeezing his hand.

Mark studied you for a moment, his gaze so intense it made your heart race. Then he sighed, pulling you closer until your head rested against his shoulder. His other hand stroked your hair gently, soothing yet somehow possessive.

"You’ve been stressed," he said softly. "I don’t like seeing you like this."

You didn’t respond, not knowing how to explain the complicated tangle of emotions inside you. Mark loved you fiercely, obsessively, and while part of you reveled in his attention, another part of you felt trapped.

"I just want to make you happy," he continued, his voice almost a whisper. "Tell me what I can do to make it better. I’ll do anything for you, you know that."

"I know," you said, your voice barely audible.

Mark tilted your chin up, his lips brushing against your forehead in a tender kiss. "You mean everything to me," he murmured. "More than anything else in this world. I hope you realize that."

You nodded, your throat tight. His words were sweet, but the intensity behind them left you feeling on edge.

---

The evening passed quietly. Mark insisted on making dinner, guiding you to the table and pulling out your chair with a smile. He served your favorite dishes, pouring you a glass of wine before sitting beside you. The conversation flowed easily at first, but it wasn’t long before Mark’s questions grew more pointed.

"So, who was that guy you were talking to at work the other day?" he asked casually, though his tone was anything but.

Your stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"

"You know who I mean," Mark said, his smile still in place but his eyes sharp. "The one who keeps hanging around you. I saw him walk you to your car the other night."

"It’s just a coworker," you said quickly. "He was being polite."

Mark’s smile faded, replaced by a look of thinly veiled frustration. "I don’t like him," he said flatly.

"There’s nothing to like or dislike," you said, trying to keep your voice calm. "We barely talk."

Mark reached across the table, taking your hand in his. His grip was firm, almost too tight. "I just don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea," he said softly, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. "You’re mine, and I don’t like sharing."

"I’m not going anywhere, Mark," you said gently, though your voice wavered.

His eyes softened at your words, and he brought your hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to your fingers. "I know," he murmured. "But I can’t help worrying. You’re too important to me."

---

After dinner, Mark led you back to the living room, pulling you onto the couch and wrapping you in his arms. He kissed the top of your head, murmuring sweet nothings as the fireplace crackled softly. For a moment, you allowed yourself to relax, letting the warmth of his embrace chase away the unease.

"I have a surprise for you," Mark said suddenly, his voice filled with excitement.

He got up, disappearing into the bedroom before returning with a large box wrapped in shimmering gold paper. He set it on the coffee table, his smile wide and boyish as he gestured for you to open it.

"Mark, you didn’t have to—"

"Of course I did," he interrupted. "It’s Christmas."

You hesitated before unwrapping the gift. Inside was a beautiful sweater, soft and luxurious, in your favorite color. You smiled despite yourself, running your fingers over the fabric.

"Do you like it?" Mark asked eagerly.

"It’s perfect," you said honestly.

"There’s more," he said, pulling another box from behind his back. This one was smaller, wrapped in red paper.

You opened it carefully, revealing a delicate necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. Inside the heart was a tiny photograph of the two of you, smiling and happy.

"It’s beautiful," you whispered.

Mark took the necklace and fastened it around your neck, his fingers brushing against your skin. "Now you’ll always have me close to your heart," he said softly.

Your throat tightened, the weight of his words settling heavily on your chest.

"And one last thing," Mark said, his tone darker now. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope.

You opened it slowly, your hands shaking. Inside were photos—of your coworker. The first showed him walking to his car. The next showed him slumped on the ground, blood staining his shirt.

Your breath caught. "Mark… what did you do?"

Mark crouched in front of you, his hands resting on your knees. His expression was calm, almost tender, but his eyes burned with something unhinged.

"I took care of it," he said simply, sitting beside you and pulling you close. His grip was firm, unyielding. "He was getting too close to you. I couldn’t let that happen."

"Mark, this isn’t—"

"Love," he interrupted, his voice steady but intense. "I love you more than anything, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect us."

Tears welled up in your eyes as you stared at him. Mark’s face softened as he reached for the largest gift box under the tree, setting it on the table in front of you.

"This," he whispered, his voice low and calm, "is my final gift."

Your hands trembled as you unwrapped it. Inside, surrounded by red tissue paper, was something that made your breath catch in your throat—a severed head. It was your coworker, his lifeless eyes staring up at you.

Mark’s arms wrapped around you from behind, his breath warm against your ear. "Now no one will ever come between us," he murmured, pressing a kiss to your temple.

As the snow fell outside and the fire crackled, you realized that Mark’s love wasn’t just suffocating—it was inescapable.