BETWEEN LOVE AND LOYALTY
Elliana didn't know how she made it home.
Her hands were numb, her mind empty except for one painful truth:
Leon killed her mother.
The door slammed behind her as she entered the house. Her father looked up from the couch, worry instantly replacing his stern expression.
"Ellie…" he started.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she cried, tears finally spilling. "Why did you let me fall in love with him?"
Her father stood slowly. "I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what?" she shouted. "From the truth? From my own heart?"
He sighed deeply. "I didn't want you carrying this pain. Losing your mom almost destroyed you once."
Elliana's voice shook. "And you thought lying would make it better?"
Her father stepped closer. "I wanted you to have a normal life."
She laughed bitterly. "Normal? Dad… the boy I loved is the reason she's gone."
Silence filled the room.
"I knew you'd find out someday," he said quietly. "That's why I was hunting him. Not just because he broke the law… but because he took your mother from us."
Elliana wiped her tears. "And now what?"
Her father hesitated. "Now… justice has to happen."
Her heart sank. "You're going to arrest him."
"I have to," he said. "It's my duty."
Elliana shook her head. "He already hates himself enough."
Her father looked at her, pain in his eyes. "Do you still love him?"
She didn't answer. She couldn't.
That night, her phone buzzed.
Austen: I heard what happened. I'm here for you.
She didn't reply.
Another message popped up.
Leon: I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I'll turn myself in if that's what you want.
Her fingers trembled.
Elliana stared at the screen, heart torn in two.
One boy offered comfort.
The other carried guilt.
Her mother deserved justice.
But her heart still remembered love.
And in that moment, Elliana realized…
This was the choice that would define her forever.
Two hearts.
One choice.