`𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬`

𝐅irst 𝐍ight

The car rolled past the long iron gates and into the driveway that looked more like a movie set than a home. The kind of place that smelled of polished money and silence — both heavy in their own way.

Rain from earlier still clung to the trees, glinting against the porch lights as she stared through the window, suitcase on her lap like armor. Her mother sat beside her, pretending to fix her lipstick in the reflection, pretending she wasn’t nervous.

When the car stopped, she stayed still for a second too long. The house in front of me was too big, too perfect, the windows glowing warm against the dark sky. I didn’t belong here — she could already feel it.

She called her name softly, voice lined with hope and guilt all at once. she forced a smile, opened the door, and stepped out. Her shoes hit the wet stones, and the cold air cut through my jacket.

A man stood near the entrance — tall, confident, wearing that calm smile rich people seem to be born with. Her new stepfather. He said something polite, something like “Welcome home.” She nodded, though the word home didn’t fit in her mouth.

Inside, the marble floors echoed every step she took. Everything smelled like new furniture and rules. Her room was upstairs, second door to the left, already waiting for her — someone had unpacked part of her luggage. Even that felt invasive.

she sank onto the edge of the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, the walls painted in soft cream like they were trying too hard to soothe. Somewhere in this huge house, a door slammed, followed by the faint sound of a car engine revving — low, fast, reckless.

Her mother’s voice drifted up from downstairs, but she didn’t catch the words. She walked to the window and looked out, catching a glimpse of taillights disappearing down the road.

That was the first time she saw him — or rather, the shadow of him — the boy who’d soon turn this quiet house into something dangerous, her stepbrother, Jeon Jungkook.