Juliet, a vibrant 20-year-old with impressive drawing skills, was sitting at home one evening when her dad Joe came in and asked if she needed anything. He was going out to get takeout since he didn't want to stress her mom Olivia . Juliet happily requested Chinese food, something she had always wanted to try. Her dad went to get it and explained to the restaurant staff that his daughter had been curious about Chinese cuisine.
While waiting at home, Juliet worked on a drawing of a house that looked like theirs, adding a fire effect for fun. Later, after the family had dinner, they all went to bed. Even though Juliet was old enough to tuck herself in, her mom kissed her goodnight as usual.
Around 2 a.m., a candle left burning on the dining table melted, and the wax dripped onto the tablecloth, starting a fire. The fire quickly spread, catching onto the ceramic floor. Tragically, Juliet's asthmatic parents couldn't escape in time and lost their lives.
Martins, who was struggling with insomnia and staying at a nearby recovery home, noticed the house on fire. He rushed inside and found Juliet coughing heavily. He carried her out and immediately called the fire department, saving her life.
After some time, Juliet was left on her own with her father's estate, including valuable land properties across the states. Since she couldn't live in the house where the tragedy occurred, the government suggested she stay in a recovery home to heal from the trauma of the fire and near-drowning experience.
One morning, Juliet woke up in one of her parents' houses, about 20 minutes away from the burned house. Feeling empty and disconnected, she decided to get pets to give herself something to care for and look forward to. However, she could no longer cook because the fire had left her deeply traumatized. Anything involving fire terrified her—except for the lighter she used to smoke as a way to cope with the pain.
Julia gradually became addicted, turning into a junkie. Despite her downward spiral, Martins refused to give up on her. He felt sorry for her and wanted to be there, determined to help her through it and truly get to know her.
Juliet saw every reason to stay in the recovery home because she genuinely wanted to heal and rebuild her life. She also wanted to explore a new career path since she already had financial security. Being an only child with no real connection to her extended family, she felt quite alone. That's when the recovery home where Martins stayed came to mind. Martins was the only true friend she had, and although he was deeply into her, Juliet wasn't ready for a serious relationship. She just wanted to remain friends for now.
Martins, then 23, understood the space she needed and decided to respect her boundaries. His own story was complicated. His parents, frustrated with his drug addiction and violent behavior, sent him to the recovery home after he started stealing and breaking into his mother's business. Determined to help him get better, his father insisted on placing him in the home since Martins was also their only child.
Though Martins had struggled deeply, he was now on the path to recovery, ready to leave his past behind and focus on getting better.
At first, Juliet resisted the idea of being in a recovery home. Over time, however, she began to realize how far she had fallen. She had become a nuisance in the community, known as a drunk and a drug addict. The shame weighed heavily on her whenever she was sober, especially when people openly mocked her. She felt trapped unsure if she should confront them, have them arrested, or simply disappear to another place. But deep down, she wasn't ready to give up on drugs yet.
Martins continued to check on her regularly, but he never pushed her to change. He was still struggling with his own issues and couldn't tell her how to live her life. The only advice he gave her was to make the right decisions at the right time. He did, however, insist that if she ever changed her mind about recovery, she should come to the home where he was staying.
Juliet had always found it hard to make genuine friends. Although she went to school, her family's financial status created distance between her and others. Many were jealous or didn't care for her the way she cared for them. Martins was different he liked her for who she was, never asking for money, favors, or connections. He just wanted to be close to her, and Juliet appreciated that.
Eventually, they became close friends. Juliet asked the government agencies to transfer her to Martins' recovery home. Initially, they refused because it was too close to her parents' house, the source of her trauma, and they worried it might hinder her healing. But Juliet insisted, arguing that being there was her best chance at recovery.
She signed a contract agreeing to stay in the recovery home for at least three years. She had freedom to move around and visit places, but she had to follow strict routines be back for meals, naps, medication, and therapy sessions.
Juliet was finally admitted to the recovery home, and Martins couldn't have been happier. He was the most excited person in the world.
One morning, after waking up, Juliet lay in bed, lost in her thoughts, unsure of what to do. It was her first day, and she wasn't familiar with the routine. She eventually got up but felt a slight headache. Since she had low iron, she decided to visit the recovery home's hospital to get checked and prescribed medication.
Juliet's health had deteriorated from years of heavy drinking and drug use. This was her first time being sober, and the feeling was both strange and uncomfortable. Well…..