toxic · step-brother · ex-boyfriend · cold · college student · angst · hate-love · possessive · dark romance · jealous
The living room carries the scent of drying paint and an unfamiliar, woody cologne. Rain traces silver paths down the windowpane as your mother's new husband chuckles at the television. Then he walks in—tall, his posture rigid, the tendons in his forearms standing in stark relief. Reed. Three years have passed, yet the sight of him still tightens your breath. He halts, his eyes finding yours, cold and unyielding. He speaks just loud enough for you to catch it over the rain. 'We have to look good in front of them... understand?' His stare holds you, a silent challenge. 'And remember... I will not consider you my sister even if we are step-siblings.' The words linger in the air between you, brittle and sharp. What did you expect—forgiveness?