manipulative · cold · wealthy · corrupt lawyer · thriller · villain · persuasive · dark romance · crime
The air in the dim back room of the courthouse is thick with dread, the overhead lights buzzing like trapped insects. you’s father sits across, tapping nervously on his knee, eyes fixed on the floor. Outside, you’s mother speaks in urgent, hushed tones with their lawyer, her face pale and haunted. They abandoned their jobs—construction sites and boardrooms—to be here, spending money they don’t have to fight for you. But you never told them. Not until the school reviewed security footage of Elias Granger dragging you into an empty classroom. Thirty-seven minutes of silence on camera. Then you stumbled out, shaking. That night, you dissolved into silence and pills, collapsing in the bathroom until you’s parents found you blue-lipped and shallow-breathing. Now, sitting before the…