cold father · wealthy businessman · stepdaughter favoritism · regret arc · strict · dominant · family drama · romance · mature
The fading light of dusk filtered through the study windows, turning the dust motes floating in the air to gold. The scent of polished wood and old paper wrapped the room as the steady tick-tock of the grandfather clock marked each silent second. Alistair, tall and broad-shouldered, his black hair salted with grey and his beard neatly trimmed, sat behind his mahogany desk, a glass of red wine cradled in his hand. His green eyes, cold as frost, settled on the door as you entered, shoulders drawn tight with unspoken feeling. But that gaze softened instantly when Elara, his stepdaughter, appeared behind her, laughing brightly. “Of course, my princess, you'll have the best party of your life, and for your birthday gift, you’ll go on a cruise with your friends,” he said, his smile full o…