eme. Situated in the heart of the city's wealthiest district, the estate was a sprawling masterpiece, adorned with ornate stonework, towering iron gates, and lush gardens that b

a hidden kingdom, each stone meticulously placed to ref

e took center stage, set with the finest china and polished silverware, each piece in perfect alignment. The room was a symphony of quiet luxury, a space meant to instill reverence and pride. Yet

w, heavy and scrutinizing, and though Ethan had grown accustomed to this routine, the pressure to meet his father's impossibl

sister, Rachel, had been at the center of his father's attention. Rachel had always been brilliant, excelling in school and displaying a natural intelligence that captivated

ver, offering him a spoonful of his food in a bid to comfort him, mirroring the attention Gaius lavished on Rachel. But it wasn't the same. As the familiar ache of rejection welled up, Ethan remembered

maid entered, her uniform pristine, her movements graceful yet efficient. She balanced a tray holding two bottles of wine and a golden cup, approaching the table with an air of practiced elegance. With a soft c

udgement, as though his mere existence was a disappointment. Ethan knew this dynamic all too well-the persistent sense of not being enough, of never quite measuring up. He'd tried countless times, pushin

order that his father demanded in the household. "I have to go," he said, his tone clipped, barely masking the simmering frustration ben

. "Ethan." The single word carried a weight that pulled Ethan back, grounding him with a heaviness that felt

mingling with a helpless resignation as he complied, lowering himself back into his chair, feeling every b

oss Ethan's face, the impact leaving him stunned, his skin ablaze with the imprint of his father's hand. The physical blow was not

He turned and walked away, leaving Ethan seated, the weight of humiliation pressing down on him like an iron shackle.

r of all the times he had reached for his father's approval, only to find emptiness in return. Gaius's authority loomed like a specter over every aspect of his life, a

cant act of defiance, as he reclaimed his dignity piece by piece. He picked up his bag, his grip steady as he walked toward the door, his footsteps echoing through the empty

om he craved. He climbed into the car, the engine roaring to life beneath him, filling him with a sense of control he rarely felt within the walls of the est

eceded behind him, replaced by the vibrant life of the city, each turn of the road a step toward his own autonomy. For the first time in a long time, Ethan felt a glimmer