His mind was racing, his jaw clenched, hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.

    The ckwell Mansion stood tall in the distance as he approached, its tall gates opening automatically at the scan of his te. Everything about the estate was pristine, rehearsed, controlled-just like his father. But inside, there were people he loved, people he had to protect.

    He pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine and rushing out. His footsteps echoed through the halls as he made his way

    toward the kitchen.

    His mother was standing near the ind, overseeing the chef as he prepared dinner. She turned as she heard his footsteps and smiled instantly.

    “Alex,” she said softly, her face lighting up. “What a surprise. I didn’t know you wereing.”

    “Mom,” he said, his voice quiet.

    She frowned immediately. The smile fell from her face as quickly as it hade.

    “What’s wrong, baby?”

    “Where’s Julian?”

    She looked startled by the question, ncing toward the hallway. “In his room”

    Alex didn’t exin. He simply took her hand gently.

    “Come on. Please, just trust me.”

    “Alex,” she started, but he was already leading her upstairs. She didn’t resist. She never did when he held her hand like that.

    “What’s going on?” she asked again, anxiety rising in her voice.

    He didn’t answer until they reached Julian’s door.

    Alex knocked firmly.

    “Mom?” Julian’s voice called out.

    “Open the door, Julian. It’s Alex,” he said, louder.

    The door opened a secondter, revealing his confused brother.

    “Alex?” Julian asked, blinking.

    Alex gave him a quick nod and gently pushed them both inside. He closed the door behind them and locked it with a soft click.

    “Okay,” his mother said, her voice now filled with concern. “What is going on? You’re scaring me.”

    Alex exhaled slowly and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at both of them-his mother standing near Julian’s desk, Julian sitting on the edge of his bed, eyes fixed on him.

    He didn’t know where to begin.

    Rubbing his palms together slowly, almost like he was trying to buy time before speaking again.

    Julian tilted his head. “Alex, what’s going on?”

    “Well,” Alex started, voice tight, “Father found out the identity of the girl I’m dating.”

    Julian raised his brows. “The girl from the unicorn party? I saw the photos online. She’s pretty.”

    Alex stared at him for a beat too long.

    Julian noticed. “What?” he asked,ughing nervously.

    Their mother, who had been sitting quietly by the desk, finally spoke again. “I’ve seen her,” she said softly. “She was at your house. She seems… sweet. Down to earth.”

    Alex nodded slowly. “She is. She’s amazing.”

    “And I’m guessing she doesn’te from money,” his mother said gently.

    Alex let out a hollowugh. “No. She doesn’t. And Father… isn’t having it.”

    “You should know what to expect by now, Alex,” she murmured, her voice soft, sympathetic. “Your father has always been… precise about what he will ept and what he won’t.”

    Alex looked away for a second.

    “Well,” he said finally. “There’s more.”

    He looked at them both-his brother still perched on the edge of the bed, his mother watching him closely from the desk.

    Neither spoke.

    They waited.

    He exhaled slowly, pressing his hands together.

    “She’s a Turner.”

    The room went utterly silent.

    Julian blinked.

    Their mother stared at him, her lips slightly parted.

    “Ethan Turner’s sister?” Julian asked, his voice unusually quiet.

    Alex nodded.

    “Her name’s Mia.”

    His mother sat back like she’d been physically struck. Her eyes moved quickly, back and forth, searching Alex’s face like she was trying to understand if he was serious.

    “Ethan Turner?” she asked, a note of disbelief in her voice. “The boy who got your brother addicted to drugs?”

    Alex didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

    He just nodded.

    “Mom,” Julian said suddenly, breaking the silence. “He didn’t get me addicted. I was already using. Ethan just… gave me what I asked for.. He was doing his business.