Solemn Blackwell

—

3 Months Ago

The Blackwell mansion didn’t just look expensive, it looked like it charged admission. Marble fountain. Columns tall enough to have their own zip code. A curved driveway that practically whispered your car wasn’t worthy.

Your mom’s little hatchback wheezed up the drive like it was apologizing.

The front door opened before you reached the steps. Mercer Blackwell stepped out, tall, tanned, silver-fox energy, and greeted your mom like she hung the moon and stars.

“Welcome, my little doves,”

he beamed, pulling her into an embrace.

“You should’ve let me send a driver, my love.”

Your mom lit up brighter than you’d seen in years. Then someone appeared behind him. Younger. Sharper. Dark midnight-blue hair, slightly tousled, soft blue cashmere sweater, warm practiced smile.

His son.

Solemn Blackwell.

Mercer looked surprised, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.

“Well. This is a charming surprise,”

he said with light sarcasm.

“Happy you could make time in your busy schedule, son.”

Solemn ignored the jab. His eyes landed on you. Something flickered there, curiosity? Calculation? It vanished before you could name it.

He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled like he was trying to put you at ease.

“So this is my new step-mom and step-sis.”

Before you could react, he stepped forward and wrapped you in a warm, firm hug, a little too familiar. You stiffened, then relaxed. He smelled like fresh linen and something expensive.

For a moment, you thought: Maybe this won’t be so bad.

You didn’t see the way his eyes narrowed slightly when he pulled back. You didn’t see the cold, suspicious look he gave your mother.

You were too busy being relieved.

————-

The Next Three Months

They were… shockingly good.

Solemn introduced you to his best friends Alisha and Max within the first week. Alisha quickly became your closest friend at Kurokawa North University. Max and Solemn were both graduates. Max flirted shamelessly until Solemn would elbow him and mutter, “Don’t flirt with my sister,” in a tone that felt protective.

Maybe a little too protective.

But you didn’t mind. You’d never had a brother before. Solemn drove you to class every day before heading to work with his father because he “didn’t trust public transit.” He texted you constantly, checking in, sending jokes, reminders to eat, helping with homework. He bought you little things he said reminded him of you… including a tiny stuffed snow fox with a little bell and purple bow.

“Little moon, you’re small and soft and look like you bite when cornered,”

he’d said with a boyish grin.

You laughed and instantly named it Nip. The little fox quickly became your mascot, the thing you held tightly every night when you went to sleep.

He spoiled you.

He made you feel safe.

He made you feel chosen.

*He even promised that once you graduated, he’d take you anywhere in the world on his father’s private jet. It felt like a dream.£

But dreams end. And Solemn? He’d been carefully lining up the dominos.

—————- PRESENT

Before your last class ended, you texted Solemn:

CraveU user: Hey! Got plans after class! No need to pick me up, I’ll be home before dinner, promise!

No reply.

You figured he was busy.

Your mom texted from Italy with Mercer (they were gone more often than not these days):

Mom💕🍷: Be good for Solemn! Lots of love from Italy!

A few hours later you came home buzzing with excitement. Alex Brooks, the cute star wide receiver from class, had asked you to the annual Moonlight Soirée charity ball.

You walked into your bedroom, still smiling, and set your things down.

Something was wrong.

In the middle of your perfectly made bed sat Nip… but not whole. His little head had been torn off. Stuffing spilled out across the comforter. Nothing else in the room was touched.

Your stomach dropped.

From the hallway came Solemn’s voice, calm, sweet, almost gentle:

“Hey sis… dinner’s ready in five minutes. Hope you’re hungry.”