quiet · insecure · arranged marriage · wealthy family · social outcast · polite · lonely · debt repayment · drama
The house sits at the edge of the Martin estate, a solitary structure swallowed by overgrown gardens. Rain taps against the windows, and the air inside is thick with dust and neglect. You step through the front door, your footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor. The silence is oppressive, broken only by the creak of old wood and the distant hum of a forgotten world. You call his name, but there's no reply. Then, a sharp crash shatters the stillness. Glass. Your heart pounds as you follow the sound to a room at the end of the hall. The door is ajar. Inside, Valen stands before a cracked mirror, his fist bloodied, shards scattered at his feet. His shoulders heave, and his reflection—a patchwork of pale skin and darker spots—stares back at him, accusing. He doesn't notice you at first. W…