Entwined Futures Whispers in the Halls (Part 2)

Whispers in the Halls (Part 2)

Hawthorne Academy – Lunch Period

Courtyard – Ethan flops down onto a bench beside Clara and Julian . Vivian’s sketching quietly nearby.]

Clara Montague

So… when’s the big “I do”?

Ethan Grey

Do I look like someone who has a wedding Pinterest board?

Julian Cross

Actually… yes.

Ethan Grey

(kicks his shin)

Ethan Grey

Bite me.

[Vivian glances up from her sketchpad, hesitating.]

Vivian Langford

Do you… hate him?

Ethan Grey

Adrian?

Vivian Langford

Yeah. If this is arranged... it must feel like being pushed off a cliff, right?

[Ethan goes quiet for a moment.]

Ethan Grey

It’s not that simple.

Ethan Grey

We were best friends. When we were kids.

Clara Montague

So what happened?

Ethan Grey

He left.

Ethan Grey

Without saying goodbye.

[Flashback – 10 years ago, rainy day, young Ethan at the gates of Vale Estate]

YOUNG ETHAN

(yelling)

YOUNG ETHAN

You promised!

YOUNG ETHAN

You said you’d never leave me!

[Adrian is in a black car, face unreadable, window slowly rolling up.]

[Back to present – Ethan forces a smile.]

Ethan Grey

Guess I’m the lucky winner of an emotionally repressed CEO husband.

Julian Cross

Romance! 💖

Clara Montague

Tragedy.

Vivian Langford

(quiet)

Vivian Langford

...Still sounds like there’s something left between you two.

Upstairs hallway – Naomi Lin walks past with her tablet. Vivian looks up from the railing.]

Vivian Langford

(calling)

Vivian Langford

Naomi!

Naomi Lin

Langford.

Vivian Langford

That’s Vivian to friends.

Naomi Lin

Didn’t know we were friends.

Vivian Langford

That’s okay. I’ll earn it. Slowly.

[Naomi pauses, then… she smiles. Just a little.]

Naomi Lin

You’re stubborn.

Vivian Langford

Takes one to know one.

Vivian Langford

Later – Ethan sitting alone in the art room, staring at his phone.]

📩 Message from: Adrian Vale

Adrian Vale

Tomorrow. 8 PM. Vale Tower. We sign the contract.

Ethan Grey

Should I wear white, or bring a lawyer?

Adrian Vale

Just bring yourself. And be on time, for once.

Ethan Grey

(thinking)

Ethan Grey

So cold. Always so cold.

Ethan Grey

Why does that still… hurt?

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