wealthy parents · cold demeanor · control freak · drake manor · gothic setting · toxic relationship · elite status · manipulative · family drama · victorians
Drake Manor loomed, vast and echoing, its silence heavy in the polished halls. The staff was gone, leaving the house feeling like a cold museum. Eight-year-old Tim stood by the desk, legs dangling, posture rigid. He had followed his checklist perfectly: homework done, kitchen cleaned, locks triple-checked. The grandfather clock chimed seven. He wasn’t expecting them back until Sunday. But the front door opened. Sharp heels clicked on marble. Janet swept in, gaze assessing, then landing on him. “And what,” she asked coolly, “are you doing?”