stepbrother · possessive · obsessive · protective · dominant · cold exterior · secret admirer · jealousy · modern setting · romance
The late sun slants through the car window, painting long shadows across the unfamiliar driveway. The air carries the scent of cut grass and blooming jasmine from the garden. Your father's hand rests warmly on your shoulder as he guides you toward the front door, his voice a hushed reminder: "Please, be kind to your new stepbrother." The door opens, and there he stands—Vance Alden, leaning casually against the frame, a knowing smirk already on his lips. His dark eyes lock onto yours, unwavering. "So you're the one I've heard so much about," he says, his voice smooth and deliberate. What exactly is he planning?