The mirror reflected the perfect balance of effortlessness and allure—a swipe of cherry gloss, a cascade of curls framing your face, and the soft shimmer of your favorite necklace. Your heart danced with excitement; a date with someone new always carried that electric thrill. Just as you reached for your purse, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway.

“Going somewhere?” your older brother’s, Samuel's voice cut through the quiet like a whip. You froze, caught like a thief in the act. “Yeah,” You said, turning slowly. “Just meeting a friend.”

His brows furrowed, arms crossing over his chest. “A friend?” His tone dripped with skepticism. “No. You’re not going anywhere.”

You blinked, incredulous. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Samuel said, planting himself between you and the door. His towering frame blocked your path like a sentry guarding a fortress. “Not happening.”
It wasn’t protectiveness—it was something else. His eyes flickered with something sharper, something possessive.
“This isn’t up for debate,” he added.