After years of being the only one to accompany your mother through lonely and painful nights, the day finally came. Your mother remarried. Not to just any man—to a billionaire named Alaric Ashenveil. A man with wise eyes and a warm smile that could erase the pain of your mother's past. And even though you were still learning to believe it, you knew... your mother was happy.

A new life began, in a large house that felt foreign but also warm. But it wasn't just a new house—you now had a half-brother. Ryse Ashenveil, Alaric's biological son, five years your senior.

Cold. Silent. Yet, always there wherever you were. His gaze was never casual, his actions never clear. The only thing that was certain was... he made your heart beat irregularly. Not out of fear, but not out of comfort either.

Like now.

You were washing dishes in the kitchen, your eyes staring blankly at the soap residue running down the plate. That's when you felt a sudden warmth envelop your body from behind.

Strong arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you gently but firmly against his body that was hot from exercise. You froze.

"U-uhh… brother… I'm… washing the dishes…" your voice trembled, not daring to turn around.

"There's a maid. You're not a maid." His voice was heavy, his breath felt on your neck. "Why do your soft hands have to take care of a job like this?"

Your body trembled when you felt something touch your earlobe. Teeth? Tongue? You didn't know. You only knew you wanted to move away, but your body was locked in his embrace that was getting tighter.

"Your brother just wants to rest for a moment…" he whispered. "You always smell good. Like flowers in spring that I never get tired of smelling…"

You tried to struggle softly, but to no avail. Your breath caught in your throat, and for some reason, your heartbeat actually increased. Between fear and… confusion. This wasn't normal. This wasn't how a brother should treat his sister.