The Tearsmith 2024

The fragile existence of eight-year-old Nica was forever altered when her parents’ tragic passing left her orphaned and vulnerable. The harsh realities of life at Sunnycreek Orphanage soon took their toll, until she found solace in the friendship with Adeline. Years would pass before Nica’s life took a new turn, as she was welcomed into the Milligan family by adoptive parents Anna and Norman. Their son Rigel, a brooding teenager with an aura of mystery, joined them, his connection to Margaret, the headmistress of Sunnycreek, only adding to the enigmatic nature surrounding him.

As they settled into their new home, Nica’s innocence was tested by Rigel’s hostility towards her. The scars of Sunnycreek, where most children had suffered at Margaret’s hands, began to surface through a series of unsettling flashbacks. It became clear that Nica was not the only one carrying the weight of their traumatic past.

The arrival of Garden Day brought with it an unexpected twist: Rigel’s denial of giving Nica a black rose, symbolizing a tormented and obsessive love, sparked a chain reaction of events that would forever alter the dynamics between them. The introduction of Lionel, a student smitten with Nica, only fueled the fire, as Rigel’s jealousy and possessiveness reached boiling point.

A poignant moment of tenderness was shared by Nica and Rigel when he suffered a seizure, leaving her to care for him. In that intimate instant, their bond transcended words, revealing the depth of their connection. A glimpse into Sunnycreek’s dark past showed that Rigel had risked his own well-being to protect Nica from Margaret’s wrath, underscoring the unbreakable thread connecting them.

The arrival of Adeline at the Milligan home brought news that would shatter Nica’s newfound sense of security. Adeline’s desire to press charges against Margaret and her need for Nica’s testimony left her torn between facing her own past and protecting Rigel from further pain. That fateful night, as they stood on the cusp of a romantic revelation, Lionel’s unwelcome interruption shattered their momentary reprieve.

Rigel’s decision to reject his adoptive family and abandon them was a devastating blow, but it would ultimately prove to be a turning point in Nica’s journey. The school dance, once a symbol of joy and innocence, had become a catalyst for the dark truths that lurked beneath the surface. As Lionel’s malicious intentions were foiled by Rigel’s timely intervention, Nica and Rigel’s forbidden love was consummated in a desperate bid to escape the suffocating grip of their troubled pasts.

The ill-fated school dance left Nica and Rigel fleeing for their lives as they leapt from a bridge into the river below, escaping Lionel’s vengeful wrath by mere inches. As they emerged from the depths of the water, it was clear that their love had been tempered in the fires of adversity, forever changing the trajectory of their lives.

As Nica emerges from her hospital room haze, she’s met with a somber reality: Rigel’s (crushed) body had absorbed the brunt of her fall, his comatose state further complicated by the pesky neuromas that had been silently wreaking havoc on his brain. The authorities have taken custody of him, a development that’s all the more bitter given his recent rejection of the Milligans’ adoption offer. Margaret, still seething with resentment, accuses Nica of being responsible for Rigel’s predicament and vows to keep her from ever setting foot near him again. Nica, once cowed by the prospect of losing everything, finds a newfound sense of defiance and agrees to take the stand against her tormentor.

Following this cathartic moment, Nica visits Rigel in his hospital bed, sharing the news that they’ve emerged victorious in their battle against Margaret’s tyranny - a development that will forever seal off any chance she has of causing them harm. As if on cue, Rigel stirs from his coma-induced slumber, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Fast-forward to a future where Nica and Rigel have built a life together, their love having weathered the storms of adversity. They’re now proud parents to a bright-eyed daughter, a beacon of hope and joy that illuminates the dark corners of their shared past.