Stephen and his brother John were inseparable; best friends who grew up side by side, from video games and neighborhood mischief to shared dreams and late-night talks. Though adulthood eventually pulled them in different directions, they always made time for each other. One lunch sparked their most ambitious idea yet: a book they believed could become a bestseller.

For two years, they poured their hearts into the project until a single argument fractured everything. Harsh words were exchanged, and they stopped speaking. When John sent a letter months later, Stephen, still angry, never opened it. Then, John died suddenly from an unexpected allergic reaction. The loss shattered Stephen. Wracked with grief and regret, he buried the manuscript in the attic, unable to face it.

Now, five years later, Stephen is finally ready to finish the book they started. With every word, he’s determined to honor John’s memory and the bond they once shared, turning pain into purpose, and a dream left unfinished into a tribute that lasts.

Lena is the glue that holds her friend group together. A steady, loyal presence who would do anything for the people she loves. But her warmth and compassion were hard-won. As a child, Lena lost her mother, and the grief twisted into anger she didn’t know how to express. For years, she lashed out, becoming a bully in a misguided attempt to manage her pain. Hurting others became a coping mechanism, one that left her increasingly isolated.

Eventually, Lena saw the emptiness of the path she was on. She chose to change, piece by piece, trading anger for empathy and learning how to love without fear. Her past still lingers, but she uses it as a guide for the person she refuses to be again.

Now, Lena’s friends are her chosen family, and she lives for them. She’s the one who brought them to the mysterious Finder’s Forest, not for herself, but to support the others. At least, that’s what she believes. But the Forest has a way of revealing hidden truths, and it knows Lena still carries longings she hasn’t fully faced.