chapter 9- A fragile illusion

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Chapter 9: Current Life

The soft, golden light of the afternoon filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the room. The quiet hum of the house was a familiar sound now, a constant in the midst of everything that had happened. In the small bedroom, the bed was neatly made, the covers soft and carefully arranged around Liliana. The room, while simple, had been transformed into a space filled with comfort—a space where she spent most of her days now.

Ethan and Reign moved through the house with the quiet efficiency they had grown accustomed to over time. The smell of something delicious filled the air—Reign had been experimenting with new recipes again. In the kitchen, the sounds of chopping and sizzling were familiar, almost soothing. Both of them were trying, trying their best to return to a semblance of normalcy.

Reign entered the room, her steps light and careful, as she approached Liliana's bed. Her gaze softened when she saw her there, lying perfectly still, her eyes open but vacant. Liliana’s head rested on the soft pillow, her expression pleasant and serene, as if she were simply resting, though her body was entirely still, unmovable. It was both heart-wrenching and strangely calming to see her like this.

Reign gently adjusted the blanket over Liliana, making sure she was comfortable. There were no signs of distress, no signs of frustration. Liliana’s face held the same serene expression, as though the world outside had stopped for her. It was quiet, peaceful, and for a moment, it almost felt like everything was okay.

Ethan appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray of food. He smiled softly when he saw Reign, but his eyes quickly turned to Liliana. He placed the tray on the bedside table and gently adjusted the angle of Liliana’s head, making sure she was comfortable enough to eat.

They’d gotten used to this routine: feeding her, adjusting her position, making sure she was clean, making sure she was content in the stillness of her existence. Liliana’s world was small now, confined to the bed where she lay. Her body, unable to move or speak, was silent, but her gaze followed them whenever they were close, almost like she was aware of everything they were doing for her.

Reign sat beside her, carefully feeding her small spoonfuls of food. Liliana’s eyes remained on her, calm and unblinking. There was no hint of emotion in her gaze, no acknowledgment of the effort it took to care for her. Yet, her stillness was oddly reassuring. She wasn’t upset, she wasn’t frustrated. She was just… there. The simplicity of it felt strange, like a dream. Reign swallowed the lump in her throat as she continued feeding Liliana, her hand steady as she brought the spoon to her lips.

“We’re doing okay, right?” Reign murmured, though she didn’t expect an answer. It was more for herself than for Liliana.

Ethan stood by the window, looking out at the quiet street, his arms crossed loosely over his chest. He turned and looked at Reign, his face unreadable. “Yeah. We’re okay.”

The rest of the afternoon passed quietly. They didn’t speak much, the silence settling over them like a comfortable blanket. There was no need for words anymore. The routine had become a part of them, and Liliana, though unable to contribute, was still with them in a way.

Later that evening, they settled in the living room, the soft hum of the television filling the silence. Reign and Ethan sat on the couch, the space between them full of things unspoken. Every now and then, Reign’s eyes would flicker toward the door, as if waiting for something—anything—to happen. But nothing did.

As the evening wore on, they returned to the bedroom. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast soft shadows on the walls. Liliana lay in the same position, her body still and unmoving, her expression calm, unchanging. She was at peace in her silence.

Reign adjusted the blanket once more, smoothing it over Liliana’s body. She leaned down to kiss her forehead, just as she did every night, even though she knew there would be no response. There never was. But it was still something she felt she needed to do, something that anchored her to this new reality.

Ethan came to stand beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. They shared a quiet moment, watching Liliana in her bed. It was a peaceful stillness, but it felt like a hollow kind of peace.

Finally, Reign stepped back, her breath catching in her throat as she glanced down at Liliana one last time for the night. Ethan turned off the lamp, leaving the room bathed in soft moonlight. They both exited the room quietly, the door clicking shut behind them.

Liliana remained in her bed, her eyes unblinking, her expression calm and pleasant. She was still there, but in a way, it felt like she wasn’t. The room was silent again, save for the soft sound of her steady breathing.

For now, that was enough.

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