The Wrong Twin

My chest hammers so hard, I think it might burst.

It's Rowan. At least, it should be. The face, the jawline, the curve of his lips. But then I blink, and something is… off. This man has a single tattoo near his temple I’ve never seen on Rowan and a faint scar at the corner of his jaw.

And crucially, he looks a little older, carrying a subtle air of danger that Rowan, with his kind eyes and gentle soul does not possess. I freeze completely on the sidewalk, my feet cemented in place. Realization dawn's on me.

Sebastian Oberon.

Rowan’s twin.

The universe has a very specific sense of humor, and apparently today it’s out to humiliate me in ways I didn’t even know existed.

He leans slightly toward the open window of the dark car.

“I’ve seen you somewhere before,” he says, his voice smooth. His eyes are scanning me like a hawk circling prey. “Neoverline.”

Oh. My. God.

“It’s… Novalyn,” I correct, forcing the full version of my name out.

He tilts his head, a small, infuriating smirk tugging at his lips.

“You’re Rowan’s little friend,” he says. “I recognized you from the promotion party.” Then his eyes sweep me up and down. “Why are your eyes so red?”

Because I’m a world-class clown who almost confessed her undying love to his twin brother.

I do not owe him an explanation. I don’t owe this arrogant stranger, no matter how much he resembles the man I love a single thing

“It’s not your business,” I snap. “I’m leaving.”

I walk away, keeping my eyes on the ground so he won’t see the tears finally spill.

I don’t have the strength to care what he thinks of me. But when I glance back once, he’s out now, leaning against his car, eyes following me.

~

Morning comes too fast.

I bury myself deeper into my blanket, trying to squeeze out the memory of last night. Rowan’s revelation of having a girlfriend.

My phone buzzes aggressively on the nightstand, making me jump.

Rowan

'Hey Ladybug. Can you come by later? I need your help with something huge.’

Of course he uses that nickname, the one that always finds a way to short-circuit my brain. I stare at the message for far too long, my eyes straining, reading and rereading the simple text as if the letters might suddenly rearrange themselves into the words I actually want from him—

I choose you.

It’s always been you.

Forget my girlfriend, she was just a mirage created by Satan.

But no. Just… can you come by later?

There are at least a thousand, perfectly valid, self-preserving reasons why I should immediately text back a resounding No.

Like the way my chest still feels bruised from last night.

Or how I barely slept because my brain wouldn’t stop replaying that stupid moment— his smile as he introduced Jane like it meant nothing to him that I was standing right there.

And even though it would be smart to stay inside all day and pretend my phone died, I can’t. If Rowan called me at 3 a.m. to bury a body in the woods, I would show up with a shovel and a cooler full of his favorite snacks. Because he's Rowan. And because I love him.

When I reach his door, I knock softly, trying to steady the fluttering in my chest. The door opens almost immediately, and it’s Jane.

“Oh dear. Come in, Novalyn,” she says with that infuriatingly sweet tone.

I bite the inside of my cheek and step stiffly inside. My eyes don’t even linger on her for long before they land on Rowan. He’s sitting on the couch, head bent over his phone, completely absorbed. And then he looks up. And in a split second, his eyes light up.

“Nova!” he says, a warm smile breaking across his face. He stands immediately and walks toward me. “You actually came. I was getting worried you wouldn’t.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I force the words out, plastering on a small smile. “I’m… not occupied at home.”

His gaze softens. “How’s your mum doing?” he asks, guiding me to the couch. “Is she taking the meds I recommended, the ones for the headache?”

And then, I remember. That lie I told. “Yes… she is,” I murmur, my throat tight.

“Okay,” he says, slumping back in the chair like some weight is finally off his shoulders. Then he shares a look with Jane. They both burst into laughter.

I blink at them, confused. “What’s so funny?”

Rowan exhales, like he’s about to drop a bomb. “We need your help with the wedding plans.”

My body goes cold immediately. Wedding plans? My chest tightens, my fingers curling into fists in my lap. He only just started dating her. No, wait, he only just introduced her to me, and they were already discussing… marriage?

“You’re not even engaged,” I murmur, my words trembling with disbelief. “And you’re talking about marriage?”

"You know me, Nova," Rowan replies, his excitement making him oblivious to the fragile state I’m in. “I love to plan ahead of time. I want the best for Jane, and I want everything to be perfect. So what do you say? Help us?”

Rowan’s smiling at me, expectant, like I’m some wedding planner he hired. My hands begin to shake, my lips trembling. My eyes… I know they’re glossy now. I can’t stop it. I try, but the tears blur my vision.

“Sure,” I say.

One tiny word and I’m volunteering to help plan the happiest day of someone else’s life. The day I will officially lose him forever.

The next two hours are torture. They talk about venues with chandeliers, matching bridesmaid dresses, guest lists full of people who will clap for their love

They talk, not me. I only speak when the silence gets awkward, tossing in a tiny comment.

Meanwhile, my heart is doing painful acrobatics in my chest. Every time Rowan looks at Jane like she’s his entire world, I feel something inside me crack a little more.

Then Jane turns to me, eyes sparkling.

“You know, it’s funny,” she says, her smile stretching wider. “You two have been friends since what, middle school? And you’ve never hooked up? Not even once? Wow. I’m actually really impressed.”

Rowan chuckles nervously. “What are you talking about, baby?”

Jane laughs lightly, like she’s telling the funniest story in the world. “I just mean, in this day and age, it is incredibly rare to see a guy and a girl maintain a purely platonic friendship for so many years. Not even a single kiss? That’s… genuinely surprising, Rowan. I wouldn’t have guessed that about you.”

Rowan shifts slightly.

“Nova’s like a little sister to me,” he says, his tone blank, like Jane just asked something ridiculous. “Can you seriously imagine sleeping with your sister? Of course not. I’ve even tried setting her up a few times with my friends over the years, but she’s just never interested.”

“You too, Nova?” Jane asks, and I swear, if I could, I’d strangle her with my bare hands. “You don’t see Rowan like that?”

The question stings I half-open my mouth, then close it. What do you say to the person who just asked if you’ve been pining over your best friend for a decade? Deny it and you look ridiculous. Admit it and you are destroyed.

I push my fingers into my palms so hard my knuckles go white. Before I can tumble into a confession I can’t take back, a voice speaks up.

“Rowan.”

I snap my head toward the door. Sebastian stands in the hallway with that infuriatingly calm half-smile, like he’s walked into a play and just caught the funniest scene. He’s perfectly casual, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a coffee cup.

“Seb,” Rowan says, brightly. “Come in, man. Jane, this is my twin, Sebastian.”

I take one single, horrified look at the two Oberon brothers standing together and my limbs decide for me. I bolt, straight for the bathroom.

I slam the door shut and immediately lean forward, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are glossy, rimmed red. I splash icy cold water on my face because the shock of it makes my skin feel alive.

Rowan still sees me as a little sister. He always has and always will. Even if I had gathered my courage and confessed yesterday, even if I’d bared my heart and hopeless love, he would have smiled, maybe patted my hand, said the kindest no imaginable, and our friendship would have been over in an instant.

I press my hands against the sink, holding myself steady. It’s humiliating. I love him. Yes, I do. But maybe I’ve been hopelessly in love with someone who’s never, and will never, see me the way I want to be seen.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the sting behind my eyes. It hurts like hell, and I can’t stay in this apartment any longer. I splash more cold water on my face, hoping it’ll wash away at least some of the ache, and finally step back from the sink. I open the door and step back into the living room, heading directly for Rowan.

“Can I come back in the evening?” I ask Rowan. “I want to stop by and see… Paul.”

Paul is a small boy living in an orphanage. I’ve known him for a long time that I now want him in my life as family. I’ve always planned to adopt him someday, once I’m financially stable enough to give him the life he deserves.

Rowan looks at me. “We’re not done with the plans,” he says quietly. “And you’re leaving already?"

“I’ll be back, I promise,” I say. “It’s his free day, and I can see him today. I’ll come back as soon as I can, I swear.”

Rowan gives a small, reluctant nod. “Okay, Nova. Take care of yourself. Love you.”

The words hit me hard. That one phrase 'Love you' said in the casual, friendly way he always uses it, not the way I’ve been imagining it in my heart for months. My chest caves a little.

I turn toward the door, bag over my shoulder, willing myself to keep it together, when a new voice rings out.

“Allow me to escort Nova a bit,” Sebastian says, standing from the couch.

No. No. No.

Rowan doesn’t even hesitate. “Oh, thank you, Seb,” he says lightly, like handing me off to his twin is the most natural thing in the world.

I don’t wait. I step outside, and the sunlight hits me immediately. My eyes sting, but I keep walking, trying to ignore the tightness curling in my chest. I hear footsteps behind me. Great. Just what I needed. An audience for my humiliation.

It’s Sebastian. Of course it's him. His long legs eat up the distance in a few strides, and suddenly he’s beside me calmly.

He tilts his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I have to admit… I didn’t expect your emotions to be this… transparent,” he says, his voice teasing.

I feel my cheeks heat up, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

Then he speaks, voice low.

“You’re in love with Rowan, aren’t you?”