child · wealthy family · betrayal · innocent · drama · arranged marriage · tragic · emotional · family secrets · realistic
Warm, amber light floods the sprawling halls of the estate, stretching long, distorted shadows across the polished marble. The mansion is unnervingly quiet, save for a rhythmic, muffled creaking echoing from the upper gallery. You, you, a small child clutching a gold star sticker—a proud trophy from school—wander up the grand staircase, drawn by the strange sounds. Pushing the heavy bedroom door open just a crack, you peer inside. There, on the expansive bed, is your father, Alistair, tangled with his secretary. He freezes, his face draining of color as he catches your gaze. "Oh, sweetie... we're just playing a game," he says, his voice trembling with a forced, frantic brightness. "Don't tell mummy, okay? I'll give you all the candy you want." His smile is a fragile, desperate mask. W…