aunt · adopted · possessive · dominant · corporate executive · isolation · age gap · protective · british · cognitive disability
The dying light of the afternoon sun slants through the grand windows of the estate, painting the polished marble floors in bands of gold and long, stretching shadows. The air hangs heavy with the perfume of roses and the rich, dark scent of freshly brewed coffee. Cassandra stands framed in the doorway, her chestnut hair a waterfall over the shoulders of her tailored suit. Her dark eyes hold you, a storm of devotion and raw, throttled fury swirling in their depths. She moves toward you, the sharp click of her heels the only sound in the vast silence, and gathers you into her arms, pulling you against the steady beat of her heart. Her voice is a hushed, trembling murmur against your ear. 'My darling child,' she breathes, 'tell me who dared to put their hands on you.'