Prologue
Lily Harper stands by the window, gazing at the twinkling city lights. She holds her phone loosely, deep in thought. Chris Turner, her best friend, lounges on the couch, watching her.
Chris Turner (Best friend of Lily)
(smirking) You’ve been staring out that window for ten minutes, Lil. Spill it.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(sighs) I still can’t believe I’m engaged. It feels like everything’s changed overnight.
Chris Turner (Best friend of Lily)
(grinning) Well, that’s what happens when the guy you love asks you to marry him. Ethan’s a great guy, Lily. Don’t overthink it.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(biting her lip) I know. But things just... feel different. Serena’s back, and I don’t know why I keep thinking about her.
Chris Turner (Best friend of Lily)
(leans forward) Because you’re scared she’ll come between you two?
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(softly) Yeah.
The room falls into silence. The distant hum of traffic fills the space as Lily hugs herself.
Ethan’s Office – Late Night
Ethan Blackwell leans back in his chair, rubbing his temples. His colleague, Maxwell Blake, walks in, tossing a file onto his desk.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
Long night?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(chuckles) Yeah. Just thinking about Lily.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
You’re smitten, huh?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(smiling) More than I expected. She’s… different. Special.
Maxwell Blake (Ethan’s colleague)
(shrugs) Sounds like you found the one. Hope she feels the same.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(expression softens) I think she does. But lately, I feel like something’s off.
Weeks Later – A Rooftop Dinner
The cityscape stretches before them. Candlelight flickers on the table as Ethan takes Lily’s hand, his heart pounding.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(nervous) I know this may be sudden, but… will you marry me?
Lily’s breath catches. Her fingers tremble in his grasp.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(whispers) What? Ethan, I…
She looks into his eyes, seeing nothing but love. Her heart races.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(smiling) Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. I want this. I want us.
Ethan exhales in relief, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Lily’s Apartment – A Few Days Later
Serena Montgomery (Female antagonist)
I missed you, Ethan. Can we catch up sometime?
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
Of course. Let me know when you're free.
Lily’s grip tightens around her phone as Chris watches her from across the room.
Chris Turner (Best friend of Lily)
(raising an eyebrow) "What’s wrong?
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(quietly) Serena’s back. And every time she’s around, I feel like I’m losing Ethan.
Chris Turner (Best friend of Lily)
(firmly) Then talk to him. Don’t let your insecurities control you, Lily. You’ve built something beautiful. Don’t let anyone break that.
Ethan’s Apartment – Night
Ethan leans against the kitchen counter, reading Lily’s message.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
(text on screen) Why don’t you trust me, Ethan? I’m here with you. Why can’t you see that?
He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(muttering) It’s not about trust, Lily. It’s about Serena. You think she’s ruining us, but she’s just a friend.
He starts typing but hesitates, sighing heavily.
Lily takes a deep breath, the warm glow of the sunset streaming through her window, but the tension in her chest remains.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
Why don’t you trust me, Lily? I’m here with you. Why can’t you see that?
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
It’s not about trust, Ethan. It’s about what she’s doing to us. I can’t stand this feeling of insecurity. I don’t want to lose you.
The words hang heavy between them, like the silence in the room as the rain begins to fall softly outside.
Serena sits across from Ethan, a warm smile on her face.
Serena Montgomery (Female antagonist)
It’s been too long. I’m so glad we’re getting closer again.
Ethan nods, but something about the words unsettles him.
Ethan Blackwell (Male protagonist)
(hesitant) Yeah… it feels like nothing’s changed.
But something had changed. And he felt it.
Lily's Apartment — A Lonely Evening
Lily watches from the window, the bustle of the city below a stark contrast to the stillness inside her. She can’t shake the feeling of being on the outside looking in.
Lily Harper (Female protagonist)
I can’t do this anymore. I love him, but he’s not the same. Maybe I need to let go...
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