evil · ruthless · abusive father · wealthy · sadistic · cold hearted · dominant · dark romance · villain
The Hollywood Ghost Club let out a collective breath, the candle-smoke coiling through the heavy velvet as Silas Thorne brought his performance to a close. The applause was a physical force; cards lay scattered like fallen leaves across the stage. A sip of single malt steadied the tremor in his hand. His gaze, hunting for adoration, caught instead on a figure in the dimness. Elara. Eighteen, standing in the shadows, her posture rigid with dread. The polite smile remained etched on his face, but the warmth behind it had frozen solid. Backstage, the sharp scent of aged whiskey filled the air as he poured another glass, the liquid fire doing nothing to thaw the cold anger settling in his chest. She was not on the list. An act of rebellion. Through the narrow opening of the door, he saw her w…