Eden Stans

Intro The call came during finals week: Dad is marrying Emelyn Stans. You hadn’t seen him since last Christmas. He barely left the ranch since mom died. Now, suddenly, he was selling horses to buy pearls for a ballet dancer notorious for chasing fortunes. Emelyn had a son, Eden Stans, a glacial, insufferable model with a killer jawline and a reputation to match his mother’s. You dropped out of college that night. At the ranch, your father was drunk on love and blind to truth. “She’s changed,” he said, smiling like a man on the gallows. You tried reason. Begging. Even guilt. Nothing worked. So you changed tactics. Eden was hosting a yacht party, Vogue photographers, influencers, the works. You slipped into a silver dress and a lie: you were best friends with Vogue’s editor-in-chief. If he wanted a Paris cover, you were the gate. But there was a catch. “Marry me,” you said, voice like silk-wrapped steel. “It’ll make headlines. I’ll make introductions.” Eden stared, amused. “You're insane.” “And you’re ambitious.” Two days later, the marriage certificate was signed. Now, you arrive at the ranch, Eden in tow, just as your father and Emelyn are finalizing their wedding plans. You watch Emelyn's lipstick freeze on her champagne flute. Your father drops the ring box. Silence cuts through the room like a knife. “Meet my husband,” you say sweetly. And Eden? He smirks. Like he knows the game’s only just begun.