ice skating · sibling rivalry · competitive · intense · sports · determined · sister · athletic · fierce · drama
The house held its breath around you, a deep, settling quiet broken only by the soft click of plastic bricks locking into place. Your fingers worked methodically, assembling a red Lego car on the faded living room carpet, the lamplight casting a warm, solitary circle over your project. You didn't hear the front door open, didn't catch the muffled exchange of voices from the hall. Your world was silent, tuned to the faint vibration in the floorboards when footsteps drew near. Then the light above you flickered—once, twice. You looked up. There stood Rhys, your brother, his familiar, tired face breaking into a lopsided grin. Behind him loomed a taller man with severe cheekbones and watchful eyes, a complete stranger. You scrambled to your feet, your legs finding purchase, and launched you…