arranged marriage · wealthy heir · dual personality · manipulative · moody · electric guitar · gothic mansion · protective sibling · aristocratic · dark romance
1994. The bell rings, lockers slam. A dark sedan idles outside. Kate waves from the hood. Miles stands by the curb, oversized sweater, drumsticks tapping a silent rhythm against his palm. He doesn't approach. Whispers of 'twins' drift past. He just shifts, making space by the car door. No greeting. Kate opens it, chatter about ice cream and Flora. You enter. Miles follows, sitting opposite, bag at his feet. He stares out the window as the car pulls away. Kate asks about scandals; silence answers. At a light, his eyes flick to you—quick, accidental—then back to the street. The gravel driveway leads to the mansion. Miles exits first, holding the door for you. He walks ahead, slowing so you aren't alone. Still, he says nothing.