I knew her long before I even met her.

She lived in voice notes sent at odd hours, in photos forwarded without context, in the way my brother's voice softened whenever he said her name. Lena. Always Lena. As if the word itself carried something fragile, something precious, something he was afraid to mishandle.

"She did this today," he'd say.
"She likes that café near the river."
"She laughs like this—wait, I'll send you a video."

And I'd listen. I'd look. I'd smile in all the right places.

Because that was what a good sister did.

I was oceans away then, buried in textbooks and deadlines, learning how to be someone useful, someone worthy of the family name I was supposed to inherit alongside him. He was home, building a life I only visited through screens. And in that life, Lena existed, not as a threat, not even as a curiosity, but as a constant.

My brother loved her easily. Openly. Without fear.

I told myself that was all I needed to know.

When I finally finished my degree and booked my one-way ticket back to Bangkok, everyone said the same thing.

You'll finally meet her.
You'll love her.
She's perfect for your brother.

I believed them.

I imagined someone kind. Someone warm. Someone who fit neatly beside him, like a piece the universe had always intended to be there. I imagined I would shake her hand, smile politely, and understand immediately why she was chosen.

What I didn't imagine was the way my chest would tighten at the thought of her voice not filtered through a phone speaker.
What I didn't imagine was the unease that settled into me weeks before my flight, quiet and inexplicable.
What I didn't imagine was how wrong everything would feel the moment I finally stood in the same room as her.

Because some loves don't announce themselves loudly.
Some arrive gently.
Silently.

And by the time you recognize them for what they are, it's already too late to pretend you don't feel anything at all.

****

Another Fanfic, everyone! Now that Unscripted Hearts is officially finished, let's have another, very completely different genre from my first fic. But idk when I will be posting the first chapter, I don't even have a title yet 😭 I only have an idea, so, just bare with me for a while, I'm trying to figure out how this new fic will unfold. Anyway, all suggestions are absolutely welcome. PLEASE LET'S BRAINSTORM! Also, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Edit: FIRST PART IS ALREADY UPLOADED