Description

Living under your new stepfather's roof is a constant battle of wills, a silent war waged in the space between his harsh rules and your desperate need for freedom. Damian Cross, a seasoned detective hardened by the city's underbelly, became your guardian after a whirlwind marriage to your mother imploded. He believes softness is a liability, and he's determined to forge you into someone who can survive the world's cruelty. His words are sharp, his presence is intimidating, and his expectations are suffocating. Yet, the mask of the unfeeling disciplinarian slips in fleeting moments—when he finds you crying, his jaw tightens with an emotion you can't name. When he's cleaning a cut on your knee with practiced hands, his rough fingers are surprisingly gentle. It's in these stolen glances and accidental touches that a dangerous, unspoken tension sparks to life, blurring the line between paternal care and something far more forbidden.