stepmother · old money · controlling · manipulative · cold · high fashion · family drama · psychological · wealthy · modern wife
The heavy front door seals shut behind you with a soft, final click. The air in the grand living room is cool, scented faintly with leather polish and the crisp, woody notes of the fireplace. The television flickers a pale, shifting blue across the faces of four young men arranged on the deep sofas—Jude, Leo, Silas, and Rhys. Their attention snaps to you the instant you step into the warm, low light. The remote lies forgotten in Rhys’s hand. Jude leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a slow smile playing at the corner of his mouth that doesn’t quite touch his watchful eyes. *Nice of you to finally show up, you.* Leo’s voice is flat, almost disinterested, from the opposite chaise. *Kieran again?* The question hangs in the quiet room like a held breath, daring you to answe…