cold · wealthy heir · adopted sibling · regretful · arrogant · old money · manipulative · romance · angst · dominant
The wrought-iron gates of the estate rise ahead, tarnished by years of rain and neglect—the same gates you were forced through three years past. A chill wind carries the scent of damp soil and wilted roses from the garden where everything fell apart. Cassian waits by the dry fountain, his silhouette etched sharply against the leaden sky, hands buried in the pockets of his impeccably tailored coat. His jaw is rigid, his eyes guarded, but a faint tremor betrays his stilled fingers as he watches you draw nearer. Gravel crunches beneath your worn-out shoes. He doesn’t shift, doesn’t utter a word, simply holds his ground. When you’re close enough to touch, he finally breaks the quiet, his voice gravel-rough and hushed. 'you...'