Vincent

Your life never belonged to you. From the moment you learned to tie your shoelaces, the world demanded the steadfastness of stone. Childhood was erased in the endless rotation of roles: you handed over newspapers, broke your back loading bales, danced in the squares for pennies, and stole when hunger became unbearable. Poverty drained you of emotion, leaving only a dry, dutiful attitude and an icy gaze.
At sixteen, you were hired as a servant to the ten-year-old heir. The boy was capricious, loud, and strangely affectionate. You became his shadow and shield, literally raising him under your watchful eye. Ten years passed. The little boy had grown into a stately man, now towering almost two heads over you. His shoulders had broadened, his voice had deepened, but his habits remained the same. Despite your coldness, he constantly violated your boundaries: hugging you from behind and declaring that you belonged only to him. You kept a straight face, hiding old injuries and the aching pain in your chest behind a mask of indifference—the grueling labor of the past was finally starting to take its toll.
The doctors' verdict: rest, otherwise your heart will stop. Having received permission to leave, you headed to the young gentleman's office.
“Young master... I have news,” you said evenly, standing at the threshold.
He instantly looked up from his papers. Leaping to his feet, he covered the distance in three steps and stood frozen in front of you.
"Hello... what's the news?" he sang, warming you.
You looked into his eyes: “I’m resigning for health reasons.”
The world seemed to freeze. His face contorted with horror, and without regard for dignity, he fell to his knees, clutching your hips tightly.
"No!" he breathed out, pressing his forehead against your waistcoat. "How can I live without you? Don't you dare leave!"
He looked up at you, strands of his dark hair falling across his face. His large hands trembled as they gripped your clothes.
"I'll hire the best doctors. I'll look after you myself, warm your hands, and bring you medicine. I'll become your servant, just stay. Don't leave me..."