Harmony slowly emerged from the depths of unconsciousness, letting out a low groan as the world came into focus around her. Her mind felt clouded and disoriented, as if she had been trapped in a deep slumber for an eternity rather than just a single hour.

As she instinctively lifted her hand to rub her face, a wave of panic washed over her; she discovered her arm was bound, restrained by something firm and unyielding. The sensation sent a chill down her spine, heightening her awareness of her vulnerable state.

As she snapped to awareness, a chilling realization swept over her: her wrists were shackled in unyielding metal, constraining her movements. The biting cold of the chains pressed against her skin, and she could feel the roughness of the restraints digging into her flesh. A lengthy chain snaked from her bindings, anchoring her to a sturdy pole that loomed menacingly at the center of the platform where she lay, the harsh metal glinting under the dim light.

Even though her head felt heavy and foggy, as if it were stuffed with cotton, she could make out the sound of two familiar voices engaged in a heated argument. Each syllable they uttered rang with recognition, making her heart race despite her groggy state. She instinctively opened her mouth to call out to them, but the words caught in her throat as she listened intently, curiosity piqued by the escalating tension in their conversation.

As she sat there, her heart plummeted into her stomach when she recognized the familiar voices of Willow and Ethan. A chill washed over her, and her blood ran cold as their words began to register in her mind. She listened in disbelief, piecing together the gravity of the situation unfolding before her. Panic set in as it dawned on her just how dire their conversation was, and the weight of their revelations made her feel as though the ground might give way beneath her.

"You promised me that she'd be all mine, Willow! You said—" Ethan's voice erupted with fury, his previously charming demeanor shattered. His eyes blazed with anger, and his fists clenched tightly at his sides, as waves of frustration washed over him. The air between them crackled with tension, amplifying the depth of his anger.

Willow clicked her tongue in irritation, her gaze drifting to her perfectly manicured nails as if the conversation were painfully tedious. With an exaggerated sigh, she looked back at Ethan and said, "Calm down; there's still a chance for you. She can still be yours, you know. All you have to do is stick to the plan and leave Floyd to me."

Her voice softened momentarily, infused with a dreamy quality, as she continued, "Just think about it. You can have Harmony all to yourself and go wherever you want." The warmth in her tone quickly evaporated, giving way to a biting coldness the moment she spoke Harmony's name, as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Ethan lets out an irritated huff, his arms crossing over his chest as he looks at Willow. "What do you even see in him anyway? He's just a washed-up nobody." He scoffed

Willow's purple eyes blaze with fury as she grips Ethan's meticulously styled hair, yanking him down to meet her fierce gaze. Her lips curl into a sneer, revealing the intensity of her emotions. "Don't talk about my Floyd like that!" she hisses, her voice low and sharp, slicing through the tension in the air. Ethan's expression shifts as he realizes the weight of her words, caught off guard by the raw intensity of her protectiveness.

Willow turned her back to Ethan, her eyes fixed on the ornate mirror he had carefully positioned in the corner of his secret hideout. The mirror reflected not only her image but also her swirling dreams and aspirations.

Ethan's eyes stung as he finally freed himself from Willow's vice-like grip. "Okay, okay! Geez," he exclaimed, a hint of irritation in his voice. He stepped back, a frown creasing his forehead as he ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, desperately trying to smooth out the chaos she had created. The once neat strands now hung wildly in every direction, adding to his frustration.

"Once you and Harmony tie the knot," she said, her voice filled with excitement, "I can finally have Floyd all to myself. Just imagine it—our wedding will be nothing short of spectacular, filled with flowers and laughter, and we'll have beautiful children who will be the perfect blend of us. It's everything I've ever wanted, and once it happens, my life will finally feel complete." As she spoke, she delicately arranged her hair, determined to look her absolute best for the bright future she envisioned.

Willow's eyes reflected a sharp intensity as she stared at Ethan through the mirror, her glare piercing enough to convey her thoughts without words. "That is, of course, if you think you can control just one girl, Ethan," she challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm. As she spoke, she carefully wove vibrant flowers into her hair, each petal reminiscent of Floyd, their colors brightening her features and deepening the wonderful memories she planned on making with Floyd.

Ethan flashed a cocky grin as he confidently pushed Willow aside to claim his spot in front of the large, wall-mounted mirror. The glare of the overhead lights illuminated his reflection, and he meticulously groomed his hair, making sure it looked absolutely flawless. Willow huffed in irritation as he took up all the space, her hands on her hips as she glared at him.

"Of course I can handle it!" Ethan declared, a playful spark in his eyes. "I had her eating out of the palm of my hand the entire time!" He turned his head slightly, admiring the way the light caught the perfectly styled strands. "You just focus on Floyd and make sure he doesn't interfere with my upcoming nuptials," he added, his tone shifting to a more serious note, revealing the importance of the moment to him.

Willow scoffed loudly, her eyes narrowing as she forcefully shoved Ethan out of her way. He let out a squawk of irritation, the sound breaking the otherwise quiet atmosphere of the room. Unfazed, she turned back to the mirror, meticulously adjusting her hair with precision. "You mean after I set you guys up," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "Face it: without my clever matchmaking and ensuring you two actually met, you never would have managed to get your foot in the door and kickstart our plan."

She shot Ethan a pointed look, a smirk playing on her lips. "Let's be real—it's all thanks to me pretending to be that loser's friend that you even had a chance with her in the first place." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and mischief as she spoke, clearly enjoying the power she held in their little scheme.

As she finished her thought, she glanced over at the magazine sitting on a nearby stand. Grabbing it, she began flipping through the glossy pages filled with beautiful wedding dresses. A dreamy smile spread across her face as she admired the intricate designs, her mind momentarily drifting to the glamorous visions of love and celebration that those dresses represented.

Unbeknownst to Willow and Ethan, Harmony was wide awake, her heart racing as she overheard their conversation. A sickening sensation twisted in her stomach as she absorbed every word they were saying. Her eyes widened in disbelief when she heard Willow boastfully recount how she had tricked Harmony into meeting Ethan, a man she had thought was genuinely interested in her.

A/N

Soooo this chapter seemed to just keep going without end, I hope where I chose to end this chapter makes sense. I got a severe case of typing fever with this scene as well as a couple of others so please let me know what you all think!

You all are awesome and I hope you all have the very best in life!