BREAKING THE RULES
Elliana's chest tightened as she stared at the warehouse. Red and blue lights painted the walls, flashing across Leon's tense figure. Officers were closing in, guns drawn. Everything Austen had planned was falling into place.
Her father's voice rang in her head: Stay calm. Don't interfere. Let the police handle it.
But she couldn't. Not tonight.
Her hands trembled as she grabbed her phone and called Samantha. "Get me a distraction. Now!" she whispered urgently.
Samantha hesitated. "Ellie… are you sure?"
"Do it! I can't just watch him get taken for something he didn't do!"
While Samantha worked on a distraction at the front of the warehouse, Elliana slipped through a side alley. Every step made her heart pound faster. She could see Leon's eyes scanning the perimeter, alert, tense.
"Ellie?" he whispered when he saw her emerge from the shadows.
"I couldn't wait," she said, voice low but fierce. "I'm not letting them take you."
Leon's jaw tightened. "Ellie… this is dangerous! You shouldn't be here!"
"I don't care!" she snapped. "You've always protected me. Now let me protect you!"
Leon looked at her, torn between worry and awe. Slowly, he nodded. "Alright… but stay close."
They moved like shadows, sticking to the dark corners, weaving between officers and the staged evidence. Elliana's hands were shaking—not from fear, but from adrenaline.
As they neared Leon's car, Leon whispered, "Once we're out, we go fast. Don't look back."
Elliana's grip on his hand tightened. "I'll be right there."
Just as they reached the car, a shout rang out behind them. "Stop!"
Elliana's heart skipped a beat. She glanced back to see her father stepping out of the patrol car, eyes wide—not with anger, but shock.
"Ellie… what are you doing?" he demanded.
"I'm saving him," she said firmly. "He didn't do anything wrong. And I can't just stand by!"
Leon started the car, engine roaring. "Time to go," he said, glancing at her.
Her father ran toward them, but it was too late. Leon sped off, tires screeching, leaving the flashing lights and chaos behind.
Elliana leaned against him, breathing hard. "We did it."
Leon's hand brushed her hair back, thumb caressing her cheek. "You're insane," he murmured, voice low.
"I know," she whispered back, "but I had to do it."
For a moment, the world was theirs—fast cars, rain-slicked streets, hearts racing in unison.
But deep down, both of them knew this escape had just made things worse.
Austen's plan had succeeded in one way: it had forced them into open rebellion.
And now… there was no turning back.
.