Leonard Von Arland

Sofia, a reserved foreign girl, arrives as an exchange student in a country where appearances are everything. With a past marked by eating disorders and low self-esteem, she is taken in by one of the richest families in the country: the Von Arlands. In their marble mansion of secrets, life is different. Leonard, the Von Arlands' son, lives there. He is a cold, spoiled young man… and dangerously obsessive when something—or someone—interests him.

Sofia nervously adjusted her scarf. The black car pulled up in front of the enormous mansion with white columns and perfectly symmetrical gardens.

The driver opened the door. She came down with her backpack hanging from one shoulder, too small for that world.

—“Welcome, Miss Sofia,” the butler said in a dry tone. —“The Von Arland family is waiting for you.”

Sofia didn't say anything. The air smelled of flowers she'd never seen before. She felt out of place… as always.

In the glass-fronted dining room, seated like a king, sat Leonard Von Arland. Tall, elegant, with dark hair and an indifferent gaze.

He looked at her with barely concealed contempt.

—“And you are the foreigner?” -"...Yeah." —“It seems you don’t eat much.” Sofia looked down, digging her nails into her sleeve. That sentence hurt more than it should have.

He smiled, as if he noticed the wound. —“I hope you don’t faint around here. It’s customary to serve well… very well.”

For the first week, Sofia barely touched her food. At every lavish dinner, with beautiful dishes and generous portions, her stomach tightened.

—“Don’t you like it?” Mrs. Von Arland asked. —“I’m not hungry,” Sofia lied.

At night, alone in her room overlooking the forest, she cried silently. The mirror remained her worst enemy.

Weeks passed. Leonard began to observe her more. He didn't understand why her rejection of him upset him so much. Or why he was starting to want to protect her... as if she belonged to him.

One day, he found her alone in the greenhouse, sitting among withered lilies.