1. Lisa (Protagonist)

• Age: 22

• Role: Adopted Daughter, University Student, Kindergarten Teacher

• Personality:

Lisa is intelligent, beautiful, kind-hearted, and resilient, though she often feels invisible in the world she’s surrounded by. As the adopted daughter of a wealthy family, she’s lived a life of luxury but has always struggled to feel truly loved and accepted. While outwardly appearing composed, Lisa harbors deep feelings for her unbiological brother, Alex, a secret she has kept hidden for years. She is emotionally intelligent, compassionate, and empathetic—especially with children, which is why she chooses to become a kindergarten teacher.

Her journey is one of self-discovery, learning to navigate her complicated emotions, the demands of family, and the unrequited love she feels for Alex. After a pivotal, life-changing event, Lisa begins to realize her worth and is faced with the difficult decision of whether to stay with her family or leave and make a new life for herself.

**2. Alex \(Lisa’s Unbiological Brother\)**

• Age: 27

• Role: CEO of the Family Business, Lisa’s Adopted Older Brother

• Personality:

Alex is cold, strict, and often unpredictable, making him seem distant and hard to read. As the heir to a wealthy family business, he’s used to being in control of every aspect of his life. His outward demeanor hides a tumultuous inner world, especially when it comes to Lisa. Although he’s engaged to Mia, Alex’s true feelings remain conflicted, particularly when it comes to Lisa, whom he has known all his life. He is fiercely protective of her in a way that confuses both Lisa and himself. His emotional walls are built as a defense mechanism, though they are slowly breaking down as he begins to recognize the feelings he has for her.

Alex is torn between his loyalty to his family, his engagement to Mia, and his deep, albeit repressed, feelings for Lisa. His story is one of self-discovery, learning to confront his emotions, and dealing with the consequences of his actions.

**3. Mia \(Alex’s Fiancée\)**

• Age: 25

• Role: Alex’s Fiancée, Fashion Influencer

• Personality:

Mia is beautiful, intelligent, and charming. She comes from a prestigious family and is the perfect match for Alex on the surface, someone who complements his high-society world. Outwardly, Mia appears to be the ideal woman for Alex—polished, poised, and poised to marry into wealth and status. However, beneath the surface, Mia is emotionally vulnerable and secretly in love with Alex’s brother, Eli.

She is sweet and compassionate but also caught up in a whirlwind of her own conflicting emotions. Mia starts to notice the growing tension between Alex and Lisa, and her empathy towards Lisa intensifies, making her struggle with the situation as she is also deeply invested in her own complicated relationship with Eli.

**4. Zia \(Lisa’s Best Friend\)**

• Age: 22

• Role: Lisa’s Confidante, Support System

• Personality:

Zia is Lisa’s most trusted friend and confidante. She is understanding, kind, and protective of Lisa. Zia’s personality is bright, warm, and compassionate, and she helps Lisa through many of her emotional struggles, even when Lisa feels like she has no one else to turn to. Zia is the one person Lisa feels she can truly lean on. Zia encourages Lisa to be brave and make decisions that are best for her, often being the voice of reason when Lisa is consumed by her feelings.

Zia’s love for her friend runs deep, and she is fiercely loyal. When Lisa is in a vulnerable place, Zia is her pillar of strength, and Zia’s actions will play a pivotal role in Lisa’s escape from the emotional turmoil that surrounds her. Zia also has her own storyline, one that will tie in with Lisa’s journey in unexpected ways.

5. Eli (Alex’s Younger Brother)

• Age: 24

• Role: Surgeon, Lisa’s Secret Supporter

• Personality:

Eli is the complete opposite of Alex in many ways. He’s warm, compassionate, and easygoing, a stark contrast to his cold and distant older brother. Eli has a strong sense of empathy and deeply cares for Lisa, viewing her as a sister in every sense of the word. However, Eli is also secretly in love with Mia, Alex’s fiancée, which creates a complicated emotional dynamic in the story.

Eli is often the one to offer support and advice to Lisa when she is struggling with her feelings for Alex. He represents the opposite of the emotionally cold world that Alex inhabits, and his connection with Lisa will grow throughout the novel, making their bond stronger as the story progresses.

**6. Lisa’s Parents \(The Adoptive Parents\)**

• Role: Lisa’s Adoptive Parents

• Personality:

Lisa’s parents are warm-hearted, caring individuals who have taken her in from the orphanage and given her a life of luxury. They love Lisa deeply, but their expectations weigh heavily on her. They are oblivious to Lisa’s emotional turmoil and don’t understand why she is so reserved and distant. Their well-meaning efforts to push Lisa into a “perfect” life add an extra layer of pressure to her already complicated feelings.

⸻

These characters are the emotional core of After a Year, You Are Mine. Their relationships with one another, their evolving emotions, and their personal growth will drive the drama and heartache in the story. As Lisa faces her inner turmoil, the conflict between the heart and duty, love and family expectations, unfolds with intensity and depth, leading to a conclusion that will resonate with readers who crave a dramatic and emotional journey.

The rain clung to the car windows as Lisa leaned her forehead against the glass. The roads of the city blurred beneath the drizzle, glowing softly under the passing headlights. She had just returned from university for the weekend, but her heart beat too loud for it to feel like home.

"Miss Lisa, we've arrived," the driver said gently, pulling up to the grand Feng mansion.

Lisa stepped out quietly. The house stood like a memory frozen in time—tall, immaculate, and emotionally cold. Her suitcase rolled silently behind her as she entered the home she had grown up in... but never quite belonged to.

"Lisa?"

Her steps faltered.

She looked up and saw Alex, dressed in a sharp black suit, holding a phone in one hand. His eyes—those cold, unreadable eyes—met hers.

"You're back."

The words were simple, but from Alex Feng, they were thunder.

"Yes," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "Only for a few days."

He nodded, his gaze lingering for a second too long. Then he turned and walked up the stairs, as if she were just... anyone.

But to Lisa, he was everything.

She clutched the strap of her bag and swallowed hard.

She had loved him since she was fifteen.

She had hidden it for nearly seven years.

And now... he was engaged.

To someone else.

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Feng dining room, casting golden light across the long, mahogany table. Everything was in place—the silverware gleamed, the tea was hot, and the air was... silent.

Lisa sat quietly in her usual seat at the far end, across from Eli, who offered her a warm smile.

"You look tired, Lisa," he said, stirring sugar into his coffee. "Late nights at university?"

Lisa nodded. "Just exams. And lesson planning."

Before Eli could respond, footsteps echoed from the marble staircase. Everyone looked up.

Alex entered.

Sharp black suit. No tie. Sleeves rolled up. His watch caught the sunlight like a blade.

"Morning," he said coldly, sliding into the head seat of the table—beside Mia.

Lisa's smile faltered when Mia followed him, her long hair perfectly curled, her soft pink dress hugging her model-like figure. She looked flawless, as always, but her presence made Lisa's heart ache in places she had trained herself to ignore.

Mia greeted everyone sweetly, then leaned slightly into Alex as she placed a hand on his arm. "I told your assistant about the charity gala, darling. They've added it to your calendar."

Lisa looked down, pretending not to hear the word darling. But her fingers trembled under the table.

Alex didn't smile.

"Make sure you're not late," he said flatly.

Mia gave a small nod, hiding her disappointment.

Lisa pushed her food around quietly, keeping her head low.

Suddenly, a voice cut the silence.

"So, Lisa," Mia said kindly, "Eli told me you're graduating soon. That's wonderful! Have you thought about what comes next?"

Lisa blinked. "I want to work with children. I applied to a few kindergartens."

Alex's spoon paused mid-air. He glanced at her, unreadable.

"Kindergarten?" he said. "That's a waste of your degree."

Lisa's heart dropped.

Before she could reply, Eli spoke, his tone calm but firm.

"Teaching isn't a waste, Alex. It's her passion."

Alex's jaw twitched, but he said nothing more. He went back to his coffee, his eyes dark.

Lisa bit her lip and forced a small smile. "It's okay. I'm used to him not understanding."

Alex looked up then, sharply—but Lisa stood before he could say anything.

"I'll be in the garden," she said softly.

As she walked away, she didn't see the way Alex's eyes followed her. Cold. Conflicted. Possessive.

⸻

Scene Break: In the Garden

Lisa sat on the stone bench beneath the cherry blossom tree, letting the petals fall softly around her like whispered memories.

She thought about the first time she ever saw Alex smile.

She was sixteen. He had been playing piano—alone in the dark hall. She'd stood there for minutes, hidden, watching his fingers glide across the keys. And then... he had smiled.

Not at her.

Not because of her.

But she had fallen anyway.

What a fool I was, she thought bitterly.

Footsteps approached.

She turned. It was Alex.

She stood immediately. "I was just leaving."

"Stay."

His voice was low, unreadable.

She sat again, hesitantly.

He didn't look at her. Just stared at the blossoms above.

"You don't belong in a classroom," he said after a long pause. "You belong somewhere better."

Lisa clenched her fists. "You don't get to decide that."

He looked at her now. There was something strange in his eyes—something like... frustration?

"Why are you always running away?" he asked.

Lisa's heart thudded. "Why do you care?"

Alex didn't answer.

Instead, he stood and left.

And Lisa sat there... wondering why it felt like he had just torn something inside her without even touching her