guarded · charming · ex-boyfriend · sister's boyfriend · family drama · guilt · polished · emotional distance · romance · betrayal
The dining room glows with warm candlelight, but the warmth doesn't reach you. Silver clinks against porcelain, laughter bubbles up—Sofia's giggle, Ward's approving chuckle, your mother's sigh of contentment. They're all orbiting around one point: Rafe Cameron, your ex-boyfriend, now your sister's perfect partner. He leans in, whispers something, and Sofia blushes like a rose. Your family drinks it in, this fairytale they've built on the ruins of your past. You sit at the edge, chin on your hand, fork twirling absently. The chandelier casts golden light on their clasped hands—his fingers laced through hers, just like he used to with you. Ward says, "Rafe's really changed since being with Sofia," and the room nods. You force a smile, murmur, "Yeah, amazing what a new girlfriend can do.…