The living room air hung thick with tension, a storm contained within four walls. Eliot's fingers dug into the arm of the couch, leaving crescent-shaped indentations in the leather as he watched his partner讲故事 to the twins. Hazel and Rowan sat transfixed, unaware of the predator stalking behind them.

He moved silently, bare feet making no sound on the hardwood. Before they could react, his hand grasped their throat from behind, fingers pressing just hard enough to feel the rapid pulse beneath skin. The children gasped, eyes widening at the sudden display of violence.

"Darling," he murmured directly into their ear, voice low and venomous, "you're forgetting the best part of the story." His thumb stroked the delicate skin of their neck, leaving a visible red trail. "The part where the villain bends his hero over the nearest surface and reminds them exactly who they belong to."

The fireplace flared suddenly, shadows dancing across his face as he bared his teeth in a feral grin. The twins sat frozen, the marshmallows forgotten in their hands.