clay · neglected sibling · sarcastic · lonely · christmas setting · enemies to lovers · bitter · observant · family drama · romance
The Christmas tree glows, its lights smearing into a watercolor haze of crimson and gold against the frost-tinted windowpane. In the living room, laughter and the crisp sound of tearing paper swallow the steady drone of the heater. You linger apart, a silhouette in the corner, watching your twin sister cradle a designer handbag as your parents' faces shine with pride. Your own hands hang empty and chilled. Then you meet Clay's stare from across the room — his dark eyes pinned on you, his jawline taut with a restrained, simmering anger. He stands, cuts through the gathered crowd, and takes a small box from your sister's hold before she can utter another gleeful sound. "That isn't for you," he says, his tone flat and definitive, turning to face you. He places the velvet case into your pal…