Chapter 1His Obsession Beyond The Sibling Bond

My mother was too preoccupied to raise a child, so, in her infinite wisdom, she decided to turn my older brother into a Nanny-Brother. She constantly drilled a single concept into his head:

“Everything in the house will belong to you someday, and that includes your little sister.”

My brother believed her.

And so, while other heirs were out on the town drinking and partying, he was playing dress-up with me.

While other trust-fund princes were drag racing and chasing girls, he was watching videos of my childhood, set to ridiculous, soothing soundtracks.

Which meant that when I discovered I was a foundling, not a biological daughter, I had only one thought:

I’m screwed. My brother is going to lose his mind.

But then I saw him smile, his gaze locking onto me like a wolf spotting prey.

“That,” he said, the word dripping with dark pleasure, “is just perfect.”

* * *

It was a Sunday evening family dinner, and my mother, Nadia, was chatting animatedly with my aunt.

“You wouldn’t believe it, back at Ava’s first birthday, the ‘Grabbing Ceremony’—she ignored all the toys and candy, and she just grabbed onto Declan and wouldn't let go.”

“And Declan! He was such a handful as a kid, he’d barely smile, and even I, his mother, was nervous around him. Now look at him—he practically raised Ava. He’s like a built-in manny. When Ava said she was moving into the dorms, he looked like the sky was falling.”

Manny? Was that a term you could just throw around so lightly?

My mouth twitched, but before I could reply, a steaming mug was pressed into my hand. Ginger tea.

Declan Sinclair settled naturally beside me.

His knee pressed against mine.

His arm wrapped loosely around my waist, his fingers beginning a slow, light circular massage on my lower back.

“Still aching?”

Ever since my first bad cramps, he’d been more attentive to my cycle than I was. Truth be told, I barely felt anything now, but with all the relatives watching, I felt my face flush.

I tried to pull away, keeping my voice low. “Dec…”

“Hmm.”

Declan hummed an acknowledgement, then lifted his eyes, his gaze cool and distant, to the relatives across the table.

“It’s getting late. Aunt and Uncle, I think you should head home.”

He tossed the blunt dismissal out without apology, ignoring their clearly offended expressions. He only looked down at me, his eyes asking, Is it time for us now?