What’s with the smirk?

Lisa pushed open Liam’s door.

“You’re acting weird,” she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “What’s going on?”

Liam was standing by the mirror, his back to her. For a moment, he didn’t respond. His reflection caught her attention — his posture was relaxed, almost unnaturally so, and there was a self-assured smirk tugging at his lips. It was a look she wasn’t used to seeing on her twin brother.

“Nothing,” he said finally, his voice smoother than usual. He turned to face her, his movements slow and deliberate. “Just… settling in.”

Lisa frowned. “Settling in? You look like you’ve been possessed by Ryan Gosling or something. What’s with the smirk?”

Liam chuckled, a low, velvety sound that sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine. “Maybe I’m just realizing this place isn’t so bad after all.”

She narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. “You were creeped out earlier, much more than me. Don’t tell me you’re suddenly into all this Gothic horror crap.”

He tilted his head, studying her in a way that made her self-conscious. It wasn’t the usual sibling teasing or banter. His gaze felt… heavier, like it was peeling back layers of her defenses.

“You don’t see it, do you?” he said, his voice soft but laced with something darker. “This house… it’s more than just walls and windows. It’s the one place where we are meant to be.”

Lisa took a step back, her unease growing. “Okay, now you’re officially freaking me out. What’s gotten into you?”

Liam’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Maybe I’m just finally seeing things clearly. You should try it, too.”

He took a step toward her, and she instinctively backed up, “Liam, you’re acting super weird. Did you hit your head or something?”

“Come on, Lisa,” he said, his tone shifting to something smoother, almost coaxing. “Don’t be like that. We’ve always been close, haven’t we?”

His words sent a ripple of unease through her. He was too close now, his presence overwhelming in a way that didn’t feel like her twin brother at all. She tried to step around him, but he reached out, his hand catching her wrist.

“Please. Stay a while,” he said, his grip firm but not painful. His voice was low, almost hypnotic. “You might find you like it here.”

Lisa tugged her arm, but he didn’t let go. “Liam, let go. This isn’t funny.”

His smile faltered, replaced by something sharper, more intense. “Don’t you trust me?” he hissed, his voice dropping to a near-whisper.

Lisa’s heart pounded in her chest. She searched his face for some sign of the brother she knew, but his expression was unreadable, his eyes glinting with something unfamiliar.

“I — of course I trust you,” she said, her voice trembling despite herself. “But you’re scaring me.”

His grip loosened slightly. He leaned closer, his breath brushing over her cheek, his voice soft and almost intimate.

“Don’t be scared,” he murmured. “I’ll take care of you. Always.”

The words sent a chill down her spine. She yanked her arm free, taking a hurried step back. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

He didn’t answer, his gaze following her like a predator watching prey. For a moment, the room felt stifling, the air thick and charged, as if a thunderstorm was about to break loose.