The Frayers estate sat on the edge of the Fes Domain, a sprawling manor surrounded by dense forests and cold, unyielding mountains. Its imposing structure, with towering stone walls and labyrinthine halls, was once a symbol of protection and pride. Now, it felt more like a cage, suffocating and sinister.
I couldn't remember when the first cracks in my father's perfect image began to show. Perhaps it had started slowly, with the occasional harsh word or lingering glare. Or perhaps it had always been there, lurking beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to emerge.
But by the time I was fourteen, there was no denying the truth: my father was no longer the man he had been.