Blood Wars : Will You Be My Groom?

Harmony's fingers absently traced the edge of her laptop, where Jeremy's last message still glowed; "My darling, even in my dreams, your smile outshines London's brightest days. Soon, love. Soon I'll see that smile in person."

As she stared blankly at her laptop screen, the words blurred together, and Jeremy's message seemed to mock her. Her mind wandered back to the photo of Jeremy with the blonde woman, her thoughts tangled in a web of uncertainty. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of doubts, with no lifeline in sight. The library, once a sanctuary, now felt suffocating.

"Is this seat taken?"

Harmony looked up to find Alex Chen, Jeremy's best friend from London who had recently transferred to complete his MBA. His dark hair slightly disheveled, as if he'd been running his hands through it.

"It's all yours," she gestured to the empty chair, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Thanks." He dropped his heavy backpack with a thud that earned them a glare from the librarian. "Sorry," he murmured, then turned to Harmony with an amused expression.

"You look like you're solving world hunger instead of studying law."

Harmony's cheeks flushed."Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who's been watching you stare at the same page for twenty minutes." His smile faded. "Jeremy mentioned you've been distant lately. Everything okay?"

Harmony tensed, her eyes darting around the library."You two talk about me?"

"He's worried." Alex leaned back, studying her face. "Says you're keeping something from him. Which is funny, because..." He trailed off, catching himself.

"Because what?"

Before he could respond, her phone buzzed. Another message from the unknown number: "Ask Alex about Sarah. He knows all her secrets... and Jeremy's too."

"Who's Sarah?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Alex's face remained carefully neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. "Where did you hear that name?"

Harmony's heart skipped a bit."So you do know her."

He sighed, running a hand through his already messy hair. "It's not my story to tell, Harmony."

A commotion from the courtyard below interrupted them. Harmony recognized her sister's voice, sharp with anger. She moved to the window, Alex following.

"We should probably..." she gestured vaguely downward.

"Yeah," Alex started gathering their books.

"Before your sister starts World War III down there."

They hurried toward the library's stone steps. Harmony was usually careful, had memorized the exact number of steps, but her mind was on Mara's raised voice below. Her prosthetic caught on the worn edge of the third step. The world tilted.

Alex's arm shot out, catching her before she could fall. In that moment of instability, his hand instinctively gripped her left leg for support, and in that fleeting instant, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with a sudden, silent understanding. The subtle stiffness, the artificial yield of the prosthetic beneath her jeans, was unmistakable.

The world around them seemed to pause–the rustling autumn leaves, Mara's distant voice–as Alex's gaze held Harmony's, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

"Harmony..." Alex started, his voice gentle.

"Please," she whispered. "Don't tell Jeremy. I'll explain everything tomorrow, I promise. Just... not now."

He nodded once, still supporting her arm. His face showed no pity, no judgment – just quiet understanding. "Tomorrow then. But Harmony?"

"Yes?"

"Whatever you're afraid of telling him... remember that true love doesn't run from truth."

Below them, Mara's voice cut through the moment. She stood facing a tearful girl with red hair, their confrontation drawing a small crowd.

"You think you can just steal any man you want?" the girl was saying, her voice cracking.

Mara laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Honey, I don't steal anything, they come willingly. Maybe if you spent less time being jealous and more time working on yourself..."

"Mara," Harmony called out as they reached the bottom of the steps. "That's enough."

Mara turned, something flashing across her face when she saw Alex with her sister. "Ofcourse it's my perfect sister and her perfect new friend. Coming to save the day?"

"We're going home," Harmony said firmly.

"Home?" Mara's laugh was bitter. "To what? Dad's sad attempts at Mom's recipes? Your secret video calls with your perfect boyfriend?" Her eyes lingered on Alex's hand, still protectively near Harmony's elbow. "Or maybe you're finding new options closer to home?"

"That's enough," Alex's voice was quiet but firm.

The redhead looked between them all, comprehension dawning. "Wait... you're the one with the rich British boyfriend? The one Mara won't shut up about?"

Harmony felt her heart skip. "You talk about Jeremy?"

Something like panic flashed across Mara's face before her mask slipped back into place. "Let's go home," she said abruptly. "I'm done here."

As they walked away, Harmony's phone buzzed. Unknown number: "Ask your sister why she really keeps talking about Jeremy. The answer might break your heart."

Mara glanced back, her eyes catching on where Alex walked close to Harmony, ready to steady her if needed. Something dark and hungry flickered in her expression.

"Harmony! are you coming or not?" Mara called out, her voice honey-sweet. "Or are you too busy with Jeremy's best friend?"

"We were just studying together, Mara," Harmony said quietly.

"Of course you were." Mara's smile was sharp. "Everyone's always just studying with you, aren't they? So perfect. So pure. Never any hidden motives."

In the growing dusk, Harmony watched emotions war on her sister's face – longing, jealousy, something deeper and darker. Then Mara's perfect mask slipped back into place, and she turned away.

"Let's go home," Mara said softly. "Before any more truths slip out in the dark."

Alex squeezed Harmony's arm gently before letting go. The weight of unspoken words hung between them like the autumn leaves – some truths waiting to fall, others desperately clinging to their branches.

Tomorrow, she would explain everything. But tonight, watching Mara walk ahead of them, her sister's shoulders too straight, too perfect, Harmony wondered which secrets would destroy them first.