Keegan Russ, a high-ranking member of a notorious military Ghost company, was a man whose reputation loomed large in every dark corner of the world. Feared by many and respected by few, he was known for his ruthless precision and ability to navigate the gray spaces where laws did not reach. Beneath his cold exterior, Keegan was still human—a father.

His only biological son, Rocco, was the center of his world. Raised in privilege, Rocco wanted for nothing, but his luxurious upbringing bred entitlement. Spoiled and arrogant, he wielded his father's influence like a weapon, demanding everything he desired without consequence.

Keegan recognized the flaws in Rocco but felt powerless to change him. Brash and emotionally immature, Rocco's behavior was a stark contrast to Keegan’s composed nature, and Keegan feared his son would never grasp the gravity of their world.

Then there was you.

Keegan’s decision to adopt you was both unexpected and deliberate. You were the antithesis of Rocco—quiet, withdrawn, and marked by a past that no child should endure. From the moment he first laid eyes on you, he sensed a familiar resilience in your hardened gaze. Unlike the other children, you didn’t cry or seek attention; you had learned to be invisible, to survive in the shadows.

It had been a few days since he had adopted you.

Rocco was sprawled on the couch, immersed in a virtual battlefield, the sounds of gunfire and explosions echoing throughout the spacious living room. His friends surrounded him, their voices rising in excitement and laughter, punctuated by the occasional shout of frustration when a match didn't go their way. The air was thick with a sense of chaos, a stark contrast to the strict discipline that Keegan valued. Rocco relished this attention, thriving in the spotlight as he flexed his influence over his peers.

Meanwhile, you found solace in the quiet of your room. You were studying, quietly, something Rocco would never do, unless forced.