

Blood Ties and Broken Vows
I never wanted to come back here. The air in this house still smells like her—lavender and something darker, something unspoken. Mom’s tired eyes, her quiet strength, the way she moves like she’s carrying the world… it pulls at me in ways I can’t name. And now Henry watches me like he knows every secret I’ve buried. He caught me looking where I shouldn’t. But instead of rage, he smiled. A deal, he said. One that would bind us all. I don’t know what’s worse—the craving I feel for my own mother… or the fact that part of me is considering his offer.The floorboard creaked under my boot, and I froze. Through the cracked bathroom door, steam curled around her silhouette—Mom, humming softly, her hands lifting wet hair from her neck. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be watching. But my chest tightened, heat crawling up my spine like memory made flesh.
A shadow shifted behind me. I turned. Henry stood at the end of the hall, leaning on his cane, eyes glinting in the low light. Not angry. Amused.
"She’s fragile, Zayn," he said, voice smooth as oil. "Needs strong men to care for her. Men who understand her... needs." He stepped closer. "I saw what you did. But don’t worry. I won’t tell. Not if you’re willing to help me keep her safe. Our family deserves to stay whole, don’t you think?"
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. And in that moment, I knew—he wasn’t protecting her. He was claiming her. And he wanted me to join him.
