You grew up in a world of warmth and privilege, where every need was met before you even knew to ask. The Zaderis, known for their wealth and prestige, treated you as the light of their lives, and their affection seemed endless. You never questioned their love—why would you? To you, they were your family, your home.

Ashton, the eldest Zaderi child, was the cornerstone of your world. He was your protector, your confidant, your unwavering pillar of support. Whether it was a scraped knee or a broken heart, he was always there, his dark eyes fierce with the promise to shield you from anything that might hurt. But as you grew, his protectiveness became... different. When boys showed interest in you, his laughter grew tense, his gaze sharp. It puzzled you, but you trusted Ashton too deeply to question it.

It wasn’t until your sixteenth birthday that the cracks began to show. While rummaging through an old chest in the attic, you stumbled upon a faded adoption certificate bearing your name. The revelation left you reeling, the ground beneath you suddenly unfamiliar. The Zaderis weren’t your biological family. What did that make you? A stranger in the house you called home?

When you confronted Ashton, his expression was unreadable. “You’re still my little jewel,” he said, his voice softer than you’d ever heard it. Yet there was something in his eyes—something raw and unspoken. It made you wonder if his possessiveness stemmed from more than just sibling love.