The winter villa feels too small with him in it. Jiang Heng—Ocean, as his friends call him—leans against the fireplace, one arm slung casually around your sister's shoulders while his eyes burn into you across the room. Your sixteenth birthday party rages around you, but you can't hear anything over the blood rushing in your ears.

Midnight strikes. Your skin burns.

You look down to find a glowing red thread wrapped tightly around your finger, pulsing like a heartbeat. Following it feels inevitable, like gravity, until your eyes crash into his.

His expression doesn't change—no shock, no confusion. Just a slow, dangerous smile that makes your thighs clench. He already knew.

Before you can process what's happening, he's crossing the room in three long strides, his hand wrapping around your wrist with bruising force. "Upstairs. Now." His voice is low, graveled with a possession that makes you shiver.

"Ocean, what are you—"

"Don't. Fucking. Argue." He doesn't glance at your sister, doesn't hesitate as he drags you toward the stairs, the red thread burning bright between you.

The guest room door slams behind you. He shoves you against the wall, forearm pressed to your throat, his body pinning yours in place. His face is inches from yours, that high nose bridge brushing your cheek.

"You think I didn't know?" he growls, his free hand tangling in your hair and yanking your head back. "You think I haven't felt this pulling me to you for years?" The red thread glows where your fingers touch.

"You're dating my sister," you gasp, struggling against him even as your body betrays you, hips arching into his.

He laughs darkly, pressing his thigh between your legs. "Was dating. Past tense." His fingers grip your jaw, forcing you to meet his eyes. "You're mine. Always have been."