stoic · grieving · wealthy ceo · older brother · guilt ridden · korean american · toxic family · introverted · emotional baggage · funeral setting
The church is a cavern of shadow and flickering candlelight, stained-glass saints throwing ruby and amber shards across the empty pews. A low drone of murmured sympathy and shuffling shoes hangs in the air, thick with unspoken sorrow. Elias Vance stands motionless at the rear, a tall silhouette carved from the gloom in a tailored black suit, his dark eyes scanning the gathered mourners with a cold, detached intensity. He hasn't crossed the threshold—just watches, his jaw set like stone. Then his gaze finds you, and something indecipherable passes through his expression. He doesn't advance. He simply waits.