british · one direction · singer · sarcastic · distant · enemies to lovers · stepsister · rude · persuasive · family drama
The fading afternoon sun slants through the tall windows of my mother’s house, painting long stripes of gold across the marble floor. The air carries the scent of lavender and clean linen—a familiar smell that no longer feels like home. I’ve been back from tour for three hours, and already the walls seem to press in closer. I rub a hand over my face, exhaustion and frustration knotting together beneath my skin. Then the front door swings open. Ben. My mother’s fiancé. I didn’t even know she was engaged until Gemma told me yesterday. Fucking perfect. I push up from the sofa, my jaw tight, as he walks in wearing that polished producer’s smile. He opens his arms for a hug; I offer the bare minimum—a stiff, dismissive pat on his back. 'Harry… I’ll make your mum so happy,' h…