CHAPTER 1
Nathan's POV
The door opened, and I stepped out first, my legs slightly unsteady against the polished stone beneath me.
My mother followed behind, her movements calm, controlled—too controlled.
At the top of the stairs, he stood.
Chris Leo.
My stepfather.
He wasn't what I expected.
Not warm. Not welcoming.
Just… composed. Perfectly dressed. Perfectly still. Like a man who had mastered control.
He stepped forward and stretched out his hand.
"My darling," he said, his deep voice smooth.
My mother smiled and took it, her fingers fitting into his like they belonged there.
Then his gaze shifted to me.
"And this must be Nathan."
Something about the way he said my name made my chest tighten.
"Sir," I replied.
My voice came out quieter than I intended.
His eyes lingered on me for a moment too long—not enough to be obvious, but enough to feel.
Measured.
Assessing.
Like he was trying to figure me out… or place me somewhere.
Then he turned.
"Come."
That was it.
No warmth. No effort.
Just a command.
---
The inside of the mansion was exactly what I imagined.
Large. Cold. Perfect.
Marble floors stretched endlessly beneath our feet. Gold-framed mirrors lined the walls. Crystal chandeliers hung above like they were watching everything.
It didn't feel like a home.
It felt like a place where mistakes weren't allowed.
---
"You'll settle in soon," Chris said.
It didn't sound like reassurance.
It sounded like expectation.
---
We walked further in.
"I hear you'll be taking your SATs soon," he added.
"Yes, sir."
"You won't have to worry about that," he said dismissively.
That alone told me everything.
Money solved problems here.
---
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen. I'll be twenty soon."
He nodded slightly.
"I have a son. Kieran. He's older—twenty-two. You'll get along."
Something in his tone made that sound less like a hope… and more like a decision already made.
---
"Veronica."
A maid stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, sir."
"Take him to his room."
---
I looked at my mother.
Chris was already holding her hand, gently pulling her away.
"Come," he said to her.
And just like that, I was left behind.
---
—
The room was… overwhelming.
A king-sized bed sat in the center. Everything looked untouched. Perfect.
Too perfect.
"Do you need anything, sir?" the maid asked.
It felt strange—being called sir by someone old enough to be my mother.
"No… thank you."
She nodded and left.
---
I walked slowly around the room.
There was another door.
A closet.
I stepped inside—and froze.
Clothes. Rows and rows of them.
Shoes. Watches. Everything arranged like a luxury store.
All my size.
A chill ran down my spine.
How?
We had just arrived.
---
I stepped back out.
And that's when I saw him.
---
He was sitting on the bed like he owned the room.
Long legs stretched out casually. Red hair. Sharp features.
Handsome.
But there was something wrong about the way he looked at me.
---
He stood.
Walked toward me.
Slowly.
---
My body reacted before my mind did—I stepped back.
He didn't stop.
---
Until my back hit the wall.
---
He leaned closer.
Too close.
"Hm…" he murmured.
"Aren't you a pretty little thing."
My throat went dry.
I couldn't speak.
---
His fingers lifted my chin.
Forced me to look at him.
"You really do look like a girl," he said, his voice laced with something sharp.
Not admiration.
Something else.
---
I found my strength and pushed his hand away.
He paused.
Looked at his hand.
Then back at me.
---
A slow smile spread across his face.
"A little feisty."
---
A knock interrupted the moment.
The maid stepped in.
"Sir Kieran," she said with a bow.
Then to me—
"Sir Nathan. Dinner is ready. Mr. Chris requests your presence."
---
Kieran.
So this was him.
---
He glanced at me again.
His eyes darker now.
"Let's see how long you and your mother last."
---
Then he walked out.
Just like that.
---
I exhaled slowly, not realizing I had been holding my breath.
---
"Shall I help you get ready, sir?" the maid asked.
I frowned slightly.
"Get me ready?"
---
"I am assigned to assist you," she said calmly. "Clothing, preparation… anything you need."
---
This place really was different.
---
She led me to the closet and picked out an outfit—a cream vest, a brown jacket, matching trousers.
Even a watch.
For dinner.
---
I said nothing.
Just nodded and went to shower.
---
When I came out, everything was already laid out.
I dressed slowly, then stood in front of the mirror.
For a moment…
I didn't recognize myself.
---
I tied my hair back into a loose bun.
---
"Your name?" I asked.
She seemed surprised.
"Veronica."
---
"Thank you… ma'am Veronica."
---
She nodded.
"This way, sir."
---
I followed her out.
My palms were sweating again.
My chest tightening.
---
Because deep down…
I knew.
This house wasn't a fresh start.
---
It was something else.
---
Something I might not survive.