Chapter 1: THE perfect Harmony

Ethan and Reign’s home was a sanctuary, a place where warmth and peace reigned, sheltering them from the outside world. Every morning, the sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a soft, golden hue over the room. The gentle sound of coffee brewing mixed with the quiet hum of the house coming to life.

Ethan moved around the kitchen with ease, preparing breakfast. His focus was split between the sizzling eggs on the stove and the smile he gave Reign as she walked in. The couple’s chemistry was undeniable; their routine was flawless, almost like a dance they had perfected over time. Everything felt right. Ethan and Reign were a team. And in the midst of it all was Liliana—their beloved best friend, a constant presence in their lives.

Liliana, paralyzed from head to toe due to an accident, lay in a comfortable bed near the window. Her body, once full of energy and grace, now remained motionless. The sunlight kissed her skin, but her gaze often remained distant, as she stared out at the world beyond. Though she could no longer move, her mind was sharp—her thoughts racing through the memories of the life she once had. She would often spend hours watching the world go by outside, unable to interact, her mind imprisoned in a body that refused to obey her.

The silence in the room was soothing, a daily comfort that they had all grown accustomed to. Ethan and Reign had taken on the roles of caregivers, but more than that, they were her family. Despite Liliana's immobility, she was never treated as a burden. Instead, she was cherished, loved, and looked after.

Ethan and Reign's relationship was solid, full of affection, and their bond with Liliana only seemed to deepen over time. It wasn’t just the care they provided for her, but the love they had for each other—how they shared this home, this life, together. They had all grown into this rhythm, one that kept their worlds intertwined.

But, while the house was full of comfort and love, it had become a place where silence reigned over the pain and betrayal that lingered beneath the surface.

As they moved through the motions of their day—preparing meals, taking care of Liliana, and maintaining the home—they all tried to ignore it. The quiet uncertainty, the heavy awareness of a past that had shaped them in ways they didn’t fully understand. But for now, in this moment, they went on. Together. At least, on the surface, it seemed that way.

[charactes]

Ethan

Ethan is 24 years old, tall and broad-shouldered with short dark brown hair. He has warm, brown eyes that reflect kindness, though there is a depth of hidden emotions beneath his calm exterior. He’s the strong, protective type, often taking on the role of caregiver and leader in his relationships. Ethan is deeply caring for both Reign and Liliana, but the pressures of his past actions weigh on him.

Reign

Reign, also 24, has long, dark hair and striking features—pale skin, high cheekbones, and dark eyes. She’s compassionate, often prioritizing the well-being of others, especially Liliana, whom she has been close to since childhood. However, beneath her warm and friendly exterior, Reign is struggling with inner conflict and guilt that she’s reluctant to face.

Liliana

Liliana, 24, has soft chestnut-brown hair and bright eyes that still hold intelligence despite her paralysis. She was once full of life and energy but now lies motionless in a bed, unable to move after an accident. Her mind is sharp, though, and she’s often lost in thought, observing the world around her with a mix of sadness and longing for the life she can no longer live.

Reign sat by Liliana’s bedside, the soft afternoon light spilling through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. In her hands, she held an old photo album, the pages yellowing with time, yet still holding the memories of a life lived side by side with her best friend. The photos, worn at the edges from years of handling, felt like fragments of a past too precious to let go of.

She opened the album to the first page, a photograph of a much younger version of them, both smiling wide and carefree. The picture had been taken on the day of their school’s annual fair, long before life became complicated. They were around ten years old—so full of energy, so full of dreams. Reign's arm was around Liliana’s shoulder, and they were both covered in brightly colored face paint from a fun carnival game they'd insisted on playing, despite their mothers' protests.

Reign smiled as she recalled that day. They’d spent hours running from booth to booth, daring each other to try the scariest rides, sharing cotton candy and laughing so hard they had to catch their breath. It was the kind of day that made time feel endless, where nothing mattered except the joy of being together.

“I remember this,” Reign whispered to Liliana, although she knew her best friend couldn’t hear her. “You insisted we get matching face paint. We looked like complete clowns, but I didn’t care. We had the best time.”

She turned the page, and another picture caught her eye. This one was from their summer vacations, where they would spend the entire day at the lake, swimming, building sandcastles, and pretending they were adventurers in a far-off world. There was a photo of the two of them, arms around each other as they stood in the shallow water, the sun setting behind them, casting a golden glow over the lake. Their faces were beaming, unburdened by anything.

In that moment, Reign felt a surge of nostalgia, longing for the simplicity of those days. Back then, their biggest concern had been whether they'd have enough time to play before it got dark, or which new adventure they would embark on the next day. Life had seemed so much simpler, so much brighter.

Reign gently traced Liliana's smiling face in the photo, her fingers lingering on the edges of the picture. "I miss those days," she murmured. "Before all of this... before everything changed."

She paused, taking a moment to breathe in the stillness of the room. The silence felt heavy now, the kind that wasn’t comforting but rather laced with unspoken thoughts. Her gaze drifted to Liliana, still and silent in her bed. It was hard to reconcile the vibrant, lively girl in these photos with the one who lay there now, motionless.

Reign closed the album softly, a lump forming in her throat. "But we’re still here, Lili," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "We’re still together, right? No matter what happens... we’ll always be together."

She gently brushed a strand of hair from Liliana's face, her eyes lingering on the peaceful expression that had once been so full of life, full of laughter. It felt like a lifetime ago when they were those carefree girls, unafraid of the future, always by each other’s side.

But now, the bond that had once been unbreakable felt fragile, frayed at the edges by time and circumstances beyond their control. Yet, in her heart, Reign knew one thing for sure—she would never let go of their friendship. No matter how different things had become, Reign would always be there, just as she always had been.

The memory of their first meeting was still vivid in Liliana’s mind, as if it had happened only yesterday. It was their first year of college, the time when everything seemed so new, so full of promise. She had been walking to class, her mind preoccupied with the notes she had hastily scribbled the night before. The campus was busy with students rushing between buildings, and there was an air of excitement, a sense of fresh starts.

But then, she had bumped into him.

Ethan.

She’d been so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn’t seen him standing there, right in front of the building’s entrance. The collision had been inevitable, and she had flinched at the unexpected impact. Her books flew from her hands, scattering across the pavement, and she looked up, her heart racing.

“Sorry, I wasn’t looking—” Liliana started, but she stopped when she saw him.

Ethan was standing there, tall and confident, with a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. His dark hair fell in messy waves, framing his sharp features. His eyes, a striking shade of green, locked with hers, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. Everything around them blurred, as if they were the only two people in the world.

His voice broke through the moment. “Are you okay?”

She blinked, momentarily stunned by how his gaze seemed to penetrate through her. She nodded, bending to gather her scattered books, but he was already there, helping her pick them up. His touch was gentle, but there was something magnetic about it, something that made her heart skip a beat.

“I’m Ethan,” he said, his tone warm and casual. “Don’t worry about it. Happens to the best of us.”

Liliana laughed softly, her nerves easing. “Liliana,” she replied. “I’m fine, really. Just a bit clumsy, I guess.”

Ethan smiled, and that smile was like a spark that ignited something in her chest. There was something easy about him, something that made her feel at ease, despite her usual reserved nature. It wasn’t long before they were chatting like old friends, talking about their classes, their interests, and the little quirks of college life that made it both overwhelming and exhilarating.

Over the next few weeks, their paths crossed more often. What had started as an accidental encounter soon turned into shared lunches, study sessions, and casual walks around campus. Liliana found herself looking forward to the moments they spent together, not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

There was a quiet intensity between them, an unspoken understanding that grew with each passing day. Ethan was different from the guys she had met before—he was kind, funny, and attentive. He didn’t rush her, didn’t push her to open up, and yet, she found herself telling him things she had never shared with anyone.

It wasn’t just the big things. It was the little things that drew her in. The way he remembered that she loved coffee with just a dash of cinnamon. The way he’d smile when he noticed she was lost in thought, as if he could sense when she needed space but also wanted him to stay close. It was the way he made her laugh when she was feeling overwhelmed, and the way he was always there when she needed someone to listen. There was something so steady about him—something that made Liliana feel like she could trust him with anything, even her fears.

One evening, as they sat together on a bench near the campus fountain, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Ethan turned to her, his expression serious yet gentle.

“You know, I never thought I’d meet someone like you here,” he said softly, his gaze fixed on her.

Liliana raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

Ethan smiled, but this time it was different—there was a hint of vulnerability in it. “Someone who’s not trying to fit in, someone who’s not all caught up in what everyone else is doing. I like that about you, Liliana. You’re… real.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was as if he saw her for who she truly was, beyond the surface. No pretenses. No expectations.

“I don’t know what to say,” she replied, feeling a little shy under his gaze. “I guess I just don’t see the point in pretending to be something I’m not.”

Ethan’s smile softened, and he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, and she realized, in that moment, that this was more than just friendship. Something had shifted between them, something undeniable.

“I’m glad I met you, Liliana,” he said quietly. “I really am.”

It was then that Liliana knew. She knew that she had already fallen for him, that her heart had already made its decision. Ethan was more than just a friend. He was the one.

As the days turned into weeks, their connection deepened. They became inseparable. Ethan’s presence in her life felt like a warm embrace, like a steady anchor in the ever-changing sea of college life. They shared their first kiss one evening under the stars, and from that moment, it was clear—what they had was something special.

Every glance they exchanged held a promise, every touch lingered a little longer than necessary. And though they never spoke the words out loud, they both knew. They were more than just two people who had met by chance. They were meant to be.

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