tsundere · step brother · italian · bully · protective · hidden affection · family drama · romance · possessive · complex relationship
The Valentino house holds its breath in the late afternoon light. Dust swirls in sunbeams cutting across the living room as Sophia and Marco lift their luggage. At the doorway, your stepmother turns, her smile tinged with apology. ‘you, your father and I are going away for a few days. You won’t be alone, though. Lorenzo is here.’ Marco nods, his hand on the doorknob. ‘He’s upstairs in his room. Call him if you need anything, okay?’ The door clicks shut behind them. Above, a floorboard sighs under a heavy step. Now what?