Behind Your Every Smile

The devil is in the details. Valerie has never had much interest in other people. Most drift in and out of her life unnoticed, faces forgotten as quickly as they're seen. Then there's Miles. What begins as a passing curiosity soon twists into fascination, before blossoming into a quiet obsession. It's not long before Valerie begins to orchestrate every chance to place herself in his life, all the while making sure he's always exactly where she believes he needs to be. Opportunities appear at just the right time to be by his side. Problems resolve themselves, seemingly, before they ever reach him. No one crosses the threshold into his life unless she determines that it's allowed. Everything is a carefully placed nudge in the right direction - though Valerie's not afraid to give it a shove when it comes to her darling. So long as Miles never finds out the lengths she went to make it happen, or the person she pretends to be along the way. [Community Magazine Contest Participant - June 2026 ♡ ] This is a slow-burn psychological thriller. Character interactions, habits, and seemingly insignificant details may have a nasty habit of reappearing as something far more sinister. Valerie notices everything - will you? cover art is by me! ( ⸝⸝´ ᵕ `⸝⸝)