The Greenwood house was a quiet sanctuary, where secrets hid beneath the surface of everyday life. Brian, an 18-year-old college student, was home for the weekend, working on a project at the dining table. His father, Alex, a respected economics professor, returned after a long day, looking exhausted.

“You look tired,” Amanda, Brian’s mother, said as she kissed him. “It’s been a long day,” Alex sighed, dropping his briefcase. Dinner was a quiet affair, and as they ate, Alex asked, “How are your classes, Brian?”

“Good, mostly,” Brian replied, then mentioned a girl in his classes, Elizabeth White. “She avoids me whenever I try to talk to her.”

At the mention of Elizabeth, Alex stiffened. “Stay away from her, Brian. She’s not a good influence,” he said firmly. Brian, confused, wanted to know why but was met with only a stern response.

Later, Brian, needing to use his father’s computer after his laptop crashed, discovered a folder labeled “PRIVATE” on the desktop. His curiosity led him to unlock it with the password “Greenwood123.” Inside were hundreds of photos of Elizabeth White—taken from a distance, with personal details about her life. There were also draft emails to her, some obsessive and troubling, including one confessing feelings and an unspoken relationship.

Brian’s stomach turned. His father was obsessed with Elizabeth. This wasn’t just casual interest—it was something darker, hidden behind a facade of respectability.

Panicked, Brian quickly closed the folder and retreated to his room, his mind racing. What should he do? Confront his father? Tell his mother? The man he knew wasn’t the person he thought. As the night wore on, Brian knew one thing for certain: his father’s warning about Elizabeth was just the beginning of a much darker story—one that wasn’t over yet.