Past – The Wedding
Eddie had always been a good, quiet boy, someone who never made a fuss. His relatives often leaned on him for help, and he was more than happy to oblige. This time, it was his uncle’s wedding. The house was buzzing with preparations—flowers being arranged, lights being strung up, and guests arriving from all over. Eddie busied himself managing the arrangements, making sure everything was perfect.
It was then that she arrived—Hope.
He noticed her first from a distance, standing among a group of relatives, laughing easily. There was something about her presence, a glow that set her apart. For a moment, their eyes met. He froze, just briefly, before looking away, back to the work in front of him. She, too, turned away, returning to her conversation, but the moment lingered in the air between them.
Later that evening, as he was going around the house handling last-minute tasks, he accidentally wandered into a room—her room. He hadn’t realized she was there, sitting at the edge of the bed, looking through her things. Eddie stopped in his tracks, the door creaking behind him.
“Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t know—” Eddie stammered, feeling awkward.
Hope looked up at him, surprised but not upset. “It’s fine,” she said, smiling softly.
“I just… I came to put something here,” Eddie said, gesturing vaguely to the door behind him, though he wasn’t carrying anything. He was too nervous to even think straight.
She gave a small nod, her expression kind. “No problem. I’m Hope, by the way.”
“I’m Eddie,” he said, his voice softening as he smiled back. And just like that, the awkwardness melted. They exchanged a few words—light, casual talk about the wedding, the busy day ahead—and though it wasn’t much, it was enough to create a spark.
The days that followed were filled with stolen moments and fleeting conversations. There was no one their age at the wedding, and that gave them an unspoken connection. They spent time together, chatting about everything and nothing, even practicing a dance routine for the wedding reception. As the wedding day approached, Eddie found himself drawn to her more and more.
During the wedding, they danced, and for Eddie, time seemed to stop. As the music played, all he could see was her—her smile, the way her hair framed her face. It felt like the world had faded into black and white, and she was the only thing in color. She was radiant, like a princess from a dream. By the time the wedding ended, Eddie knew he had fallen deeply for her.
But that joy didn’t last long.
He had been about to ask her out for coffee after the reception, when he overheard her on a phone call. The words hit him like a sledgehammer.
"Yeah, babe, I’ll be back soon," she said, her voice warm and loving. "Miss you too."
Eddie felt his heart sink. She had a boyfriend. A quiet devastation settled over him, but as much as it hurt, he forced a smile later when he saw her, pretending that everything was fine. He watched her leave the event with a wave, feeling both sorrowful and strangely relieved. At least she was happy. He knew that was what real love was—letting someone be happy, even if it wasn’t with him.
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Present – 48 Hours After the Disappearance
It had been two full days since Hope had disappeared, and the city was buzzing with whispers, rumors spreading like wildfire. The police were now actively investigating, but so far, they had found no clues. Eddie had been interviewed, along with Hope’s friends. He sat quietly in his living room as two detectives questioned him.
