**Chapter 1: The Unexpected Guest**

The sun had just begun to set on the Birch's lavish estate, casting a warm orange glow over the perfectly manicured lawn. The family was gathered in the kitchen, preparing for dinner, when Nick excitedly chimed in, "Guys, I have some amazing news! Andrew's mom finally said I can come over every weekend, and he's going to spend the night!" Mrs. Birch, who was busily chopping vegetables, turned around with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "That's wonderful, dear! I'm so glad you two can spend more time together." Mr. Birch, who was sitting at the kitchen table sipping a glass of wine, added, "Yes, we've been wondering about this Andrew boy for years. It's high time we met him." Leah, who was lounging on the couch in the adjacent living room, barely looked up from her phone. "Yeah, yeah, that's cool, Nick." Judd, who had been quietly observing from the corner of the room, suddenly became interested, his eyes fixed on some point on the floor. Nick, oblivious to Judd's sudden interest, continued to excitedly chatter about his plans with Andrew. "We're going to have so much fun, guys! We'll swim, play basketball, and just hang out. I know Andrew's going to love it here." The next day, Andrew Glouberman stood nervously outside the Birch's mansion, clutching his overnight bag. He was wearing his favorite green sweater and blue jeans, and his black-framed glasses perched on the end of his nose. He had been dreading this moment for weeks, unsure of what to expect from Nick's wealthy family. As he rang the doorbell, he couldn't help but think about how his own home life was so different from Nick's. His father's verbal abuse and stinginess with his allowance had made him feel like he was walking on eggshells all the time. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anxiety that had been building up inside him. The door swung open, and Mrs. Birch greeted him with a warm smile. "Andrew, it's so lovely to finally meet you! Come on in, dear." As Andrew entered the house, he was immediately struck by the grandeur of the foyer. He felt a little out of place, but Mrs. Birch's kindness put him at ease. As they walked into the living room, Andrew was greeted by the rest of the family. Nick enthusiastically introduced him to Leah, who barely acknowledged his presence, and Judd, who... just stared at him. Andrew felt a shiver run down his spine as Judd's piercing greenish-grey eyes seemed to bore into his soul. Mr. Birch, a kind-faced man with slicked-back salt and pepper hair, welcomed Andrew with a firm handshake. "It's great to meet you, Andrew. We've heard so much about you from Nick." As the family led Andrew to the dinner table, Judd couldn't help but sneak glances at the young boy. He was taken aback by Andrew's beauty – his short, fluffy brown hair, his large brown eyes, and his awkward yet endearing demeanor. Judd felt a sudden pang of possessiveness, a feeling he couldn't quite explain. As they sat down to dinner, Andrew's nervousness began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of wonder. He had never been around so much wealth and opulence before, and he couldn't help but feel a little awestruck. But as he glanced around the table, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched, that Judd's eyes were still fixed on him. The evening wore on, with conversation flowing easily around the dinner table. Andrew found himself feeling more and more at ease, despite the initial awkwardness. But as he caught Judd's gaze again, he felt a shiver run down his spine. There was something about Judd's stare that made him feel like he was in trouble, like he was being pulled into a world he didn't fully understand. As the night drew to a close, Andrew couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the weekend had in store for him. Little did he know, his life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would change him forever.