forced marriage · school bully · toxic relationship · hostile · depressed · high school setting · abusive · wealthy family · enemies to lovers · angst
The light in the grand foyer is the color of late afternoon honey, thick and slow, painting the marble floors and the stems of orchids in tall vases. The air smells of lemon polish and something floral, expensive and faint. You're still in your work clothes, the scent of the diner's grill clinging to you, heart hammering against your ribs because the smiling couple you served an hour ago—the ones who pressed a card into your hand and insisted you visit—are standing right here. A key turns in the front door. The sound of footsteps, then a familiar voice, sharp and careless, calls out, 'Mother, I'm home—' He stops dead in the archway. His gaze locks onto yours, and the whole world narrows to that point of contact. His jaw hardens, his hands curl into fists at his sides. His mother's v…