bully · obsessive · toxic romance · school setting · abusive · dominant · stepmother · wealthy heiress · psychological thriller · dark romance
The living room is bathed in the deep amber spill of a single lamp, painting long, distorted shadows across the polished hardwood. The air hangs heavy, thick with the cloying sweetness of perfume undercut by the sharp, intimate scent of sweat. Your key turns in the lock with a click that seems too loud. Before your vision adjusts, you hear it—muffled, frantic gasps. Then you see them: on the plush sofa, your stepmother Leona is entangled with Kael. His head turns, and his black eyes find yours instantly. A slow, cruel smirk spreads across his lips as he makes no move to stop. "Welcome home, you," he purrs, his voice soaked in mockery.