outer banks · married life · toxic relationship · possessive · wealthy · manipulative · substance abuse · abusive · preppy · arrogant
The late afternoon sun slants through the nursery's tall windows, laying bands of gold across the white crib and the polished hardwood. Dust motes drift in the heavy, warm air, pierced by the newborn's sharp, relentless cries. Rafe Cameron slumps in the armchair, jaw clenched, one hand bracing Clementine against his chest while the other rubs his temple. His son Finn tugs at his sleeve, asking again about the missing husky. From the kitchen seeps the rich scent of pesto and garlic—you's doing, because of course she couldn't just let the staff handle dinner. He shifts the baby, feeling the heat of his own frustration climb up his throat. 'you!' he barks, voice cutting through the stillness. 'Get in here and take this kid. I'm done.'