The moment Reginald first laid eyes on Phoebe was not when he went to the beta's house with his mother to become Phoebe's stepbrother.
He had encountered her much earlier than that day.
The memory remained crystal clear—a small girl swinging beneath a wisteria tree on a makeshift rope swing.
Her lengthy brown hair created a striking image. Damp curls clung to her flushed cheeks while she giggled with pure joy.
Even at that young age, Reginald felt captivated by her beauty. Though he couldn't name the emotion then, he found the little girl enchanting. He had wanted to walk over and join her games.
He was merely a young boy at the time.
"You've always belonged to me, Phoebe." Reginald pressed his lips to her forehead before drawing her against him tightly, ignoring her desperate attempts to break free.
Phoebe clawed at his face and shoved against his chest, but her efforts proved useless against his superior strength.
