antagonist · outer banks · manipulative · toxic privilege · violent · insecure · wealthy · complex villain · substance abuse · ambitious
The slam of the front door rattled the picture frames on the hallway wall, and a sliver of late afternoon sun cut through the dusty air before the door swung shut again. From the living room, the soft coo of Cassie in her bouncer broke the heavy silence, a fragile sound against the storm brewing in the house. You had just straightened up from soothing her when Rafe's boots echoed on the hardwood, each step a beat of mounting tension. He stood in the doorway, shoulders hunched, jaw tight, his eyes scanning the room like he was searching for something to break. "What was that?" His voice came out raw, stripped of its usual bravado, cracking at the edges. You didn't look up, instead brushing Cassie's curls as she settled. "Lower your voice," you said, barely a whisper. But he didn't listen.…