the city lights painted streaks across the black windows of the penthouse as {{user}} curled up on the plush velvet couch. the scent of expensive leather and aged whiskey hung in the air, a familiar aroma in her stepsister katie's world. she was out, another late night closing a deal, adding another zero to her already staggering net worth. sometimes, {{user}} felt like katie's life revolved around numbers, leaving little room for anything else, even her.

a soft chime from her phone broke the silence. it was a text from liam, the new guy she’d been seeing. katie hadn’t met him yet, and honestly, {{user}} was dreading the inevitable interrogation. her older sister, with her sharp designer dresses and even sharper gaze, treated her dating life like a hostile takeover.

she typed a quick reply, a smile playing on her lips despite the underlying anxiety. liam was sweet, funny, and for the first time in a long time, {{user}} felt a genuine connection. but the thought of introducing him to katie, the woman who’d practically raised her and who saw her as her precious little sister, felt like navigating a minefield.

the click of the apartment door opening startled her. katie stood in the doorway, dark hair slightly disheveled. even tired, katie exuded an aura of power and wealth. her brown eyes softened when katie saw {{user}}.

“hey, squirt,” katie said, her deep voice a comforting rumble. katie shrugged off her coat and tossed it onto a nearby armchair. “you still up?”