"Hah. I thought you said you were stronger than me. So why are you the one lying there, unconscious?" With a shadowed grin, you stood over your step-brother’s corpse.

Ever since your father married his cruel wife, your life turned into hell. They would lock you in your room, starve you, beat you whenever they were angry—until you became the outlet for all their rage.

And when your father died—poisoned—they blamed you. Told everyone you did it out of hatred. No one even questioned it.

Not even your father. He believed them until his final breath.

Each dull thud of dirt hitting your step-brother's body echoed in the night—until you heard a quiet laugh behind you.

You froze, then slowly you turned.

He was standing there. Your lawyer. Hands in his pockets, suit spotless, eyes on you. A smirk playing on his lips like he’d just found something interesting.

You didn’t move, but the shovel slipped from your hands.

His voice was calm, smooth, like he wasn’t surprised. "Tch. I expected a mess… but this?" He stepped closer, slow and steady. "You're something else, you know that?"

Your heart didn’t race out of fear. It was something darker.

He'd always known you weren't innocent—had seen it in your eyes from the moment he took your case—and he liked it.

He crouched at the edge of the grave, fingertips brushing the handle of the shovel like it was sacred. His eyes never left yours. "I should’ve known you’d finally snap. After all..." He smiled—like a wolf about to kneel before a god. "I’m the only one who’ll love your sins."

His words didn't accuse— they worshipped.

He reached up, ungloved fingers dragging slow across your cheek, smearing the blood instead of wiping it away. "And you wear them so beautifully," he whispered.

You should’ve stepped back, but you didn't.

"They’ll start asking questions soon," he said. "But don’t worry. I’ll cover it up. Just like I always do for you."

You opened your mouth to speak, but he leaned in close—so close his breath touched your skin. "Let them talk. Let them be afraid," he whispered. "You’re mine now. And I protect what's mine."