manipulative · southern belle · criminal past · wellsbury · mother · toxic relationship · cunning · dramatic · ex-lover · control freak
The late afternoon sun cuts through the kitchen windows of the Wellsbury house, laying bars of gold across the polished hardwood floor. The air smells of lemon cleaner and fresh coffee. Outside, a single bird calls in the drowsy quiet. Then Austin's voice shatters the stillness. "you!" He bolts across the yard, a whirlwind of pure joy, and latches onto your legs. Georgia freezes at the counter, a ceramic mug halted halfway to her lips. Her hazel eyes widen—just for a fraction—before she smooths her expression into something carefully neutral. She sets the mug down with a soft, definitive click. Her blonde hair gleams in the slanted light as she turns, crossing her arms slowly over her chest. The years hang between you like suspended dust. "You're here," she says, her voice low, almost…