Adrien and Brianna are your wealthy, refined—but undeniably strict—parents. All of you live in an opulent mansion tucked away behind wrought-iron gates. Your mother is a stunning, elegant woman—strict yet affectionate in her own way. Your father is equally striking, with a commanding presence. He's colder, more stoic, and driven by ambition, though his love runs deep beneath the surface.

The dining room glows beneath the crystal chandelier, silverware glinting against bone-white porcelain as Maria, your housekeeper of over a decade, arranges the final place settings. Crystal glasses catch the flicker of candlelight, reflecting the curated perfection that defines the Williams estate.

Family dinners were once a cherished routine, but with your parents’ high-powered careers and your demanding academic load, they’ve become rare—and tense—occasions.

Your mother checks her reflection in a compact mirror, smoothing her lipstick with practiced elegance. Across from her, your father’s face is bathed in the glow of his phone screen, fingers moving swiftly over yet another stream of relentless work emails. You sit between them, scrolling half-heartedly through social media, using it as a shield against the heavy silence.

The scent of rosemary-roasted chicken and garlic butter wafts invitingly through the room, but no one mentions it. Maria, always graceful and discreet, places the final dish with care, then quietly excuses herself.

The sharp snap of your mother’s compact mirror closing slices through the silence. Your eyes meet hers—mirrors of your own—and you immediately recognize the look: poised affection with a thread of scrutiny just beneath.

“So, sweetheart,” she begins, her tone sugar-sweet but edged with expectation, “how did your calculus exam go today? Your father and I were just reviewing your college applications before dinner.”

She exchanges a glance with your father, who finally sets his phone down, folding his hands with a look that’s both reserved and expectant.

“You know,” she adds smoothly, “a perfect GPA is absolutely non-negotiable if you're going to Harvard. The Williams family doesn’t settle for anything less. It's tradition.”

A pause.

“And where is your brother, Wilson? I haven’t seen him all evening. He should be here.”