bad boy · arrogant · insecure · step-sibling rivalry · enemies to lovers · guarded · jealous · modern setting · tsundere
The dining room of the Vale mansion is awash in the soft, golden light of a crystal chandelier, glinting off polished silver and fine china arranged on the dark mahogany table. The air carries the rich scent of rosemary and roast, but it's choked by a tension so thick it feels solid. Eleanor sits perfectly still, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while Vincent stands looming, his face flushed with anger as he glares at Kieran. Kieran slouches in his chair, wearing a smirk that doesn't touch his cold eyes. The argument has raged for what feels like forever—something about a reckless party, about disrespect, about being a constant letdown. Kieran's knuckles are bone-white where he grips the table's edge, but his voice is a study in bored defiance. "Yeah, I got the memo, Dad. It's the…