Returning home had never felt so empty.

Erin's heartache was so deep, she felt too exhausted to cry. Only Amir's firm grip on her hand kept her anchored to reality. She glanced at their reflection in the window of her house: a pair of humans holding hands, dressed in matching pastel blue. She wore a midi dress, while Amir had on a long-sleeved shirt. It was an image she never thought she'd see.


Their meeting had been brief, marked by Amir's quiet gestures of kindness and subtle protection from the taunts of their colleagues. Erin had tried to approach him many times, only to be gently deflected each time. She never expected that this man would give her the courage to run away from home, to defy her parents, and to fight for her right to choose whom she loved.

Should she feel amazed or angry? Amir, standing beside her, seemed perfectly calm. Why wasn't he worried? Today was supposed to be the turning point of their relationship. Why did he appear so unfazed?

A dark thought crept into her mind. Had the long journey and countless trials worn Amir's feelings thin? Was he hurt by her stance on Mr. Rudolf? Erin wouldn't blame him if he was. She knew all Amir wanted was to love and be loved without complications. He had endured enough hardship in his life and didn't deserve to be drawn into the web of her family's conflicts.


But… was Amir ready to give up?

The idea sent her mind into a spiral. Especially when it was Amir who took the lead, guiding her into the house.


In the living room, Mr. Rudolf sat stiffly at the head chair, while Mrs. Berta and Mama Christy sat side by side, their eyes fixed on the couple as they entered.

'Good morning," Amir greeted.

Mama Christy stood and motioned to the couch. 'Please, sit down, dear."

Erin, feeling the weight of the moment, guided Amir to a seat directly across from Mrs. Berta, near her father. Amir sat beside her, his presence a silent pillar of strength.

'Thank you for coming. Aunt Berta informed us that she had something important to discuss," Mama Christy said, her voice calm but laced with concern.

Erin's gaze narrowed on her aunt. What was this about? Why the serious atmosphere? Was it about Steve? Her aunt had promised not to bring it up and had even sworn Erin to secrecy.

'Yes, Rudolf. I have some news to share and an apology for delaying it," Mrs. Berta began, taking out her phone from her black blazer.

'What are you doing, Auntie?" Erin's voice trembled with panic. 'Why are you acting like this?"

'Rin, I'm sorry…" Mrs. Berta said as she handed her phone to Mr. Rudolf. Erin lunged to snatch it, but he was faster.

'AUNTIE!" Erin's shout startled everyone. 'We agreed this would stay between us!"

'I promised to tell your father everything when the case was settled, and now Steve is in prison."

'Wait, what? Who? Why?" Mama Christy's voice was filled with alarm.

'There's nothing more to discuss!" Erin's voice quivered with anger. 'Why would you do this, Auntie?"

'Rin, calm down," her aunt tried to reason.

'No! You swore—"

'ENOUGH!" Mr. Rudolf's voice thundered through the room, silencing everyone. Amir tightened his grip on Erin's shoulder, urging her to stay seated.

Mr. Rudolf's attention shifted back to the phone, his face stiffening as the video played. The sound was unmistakable to Erin and Amir—it was footage of Steve attempting to harass Erin at the office.

The room's temperature seemed to plummet. Silence wrapped around them like ice. Erin dropped her head into her hands, her face burning with shame. Amir's hand trembled slightly as he held her. Mama Christy, visibly bewildered, darted her gaze between them all, confusion and worry etching deep lines into her features.

'What… is this?" she whispered, snatching the phone from her husband.

Erin sat motionless, her limbs numb as her parents absorbed the shock. The room seemed to close in around her, suffocating and heavy.

'How could something like this happen at your office?" Mr. Rudolf's deep voice trembled with restrained fury.

'I accept full responsibility, Brother," Mrs. Berta interjected. 'I should have been more vigilant. I deeply apologize for my oversight. The perpetrator has been dealt with by the authorities."

'Erin, why didn't you tell us, sweetheart?" Mama Christy's voice cracked, her hand pressing over her heart as she struggled to control her shaking.

Erin's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up. 'I didn't tell you because Aunt Berta convinced me it would be better for everyone if we kept it quiet. I thought she and I were working together to protect everyone. But instead, she's using this to trap me," Erin said, her voice sharp with betrayal. 'You didn't even ask if I was okay with sharing that video!"

'We are your parents, Erin. Why didn't you trust us? Why did you shoulder this burden alone?" Mama Christy's tears flowed freely as she reached out, desperate for an answer.

But Erin could only sit in silence, the room around her blurred and heavy, as Amir's steady hand held her together when she felt like falling apart.

Imagining her child being treated that way made Mama Christy's heart ache.

'Mom's words are incomplete. Stepparents," Erin corrected, her voice thick with emotion.

Erin caught a glimpse of her father from the corner of her eye. His face had turned an alarming shade of purple, and he sat motionless, deep in thought. Then, unexpectedly, he spoke, 'Where is he being held?"

'Yes, brother. He's secure now."

'Where?"

'What do you intend to do, brother?"

'ANSWER ME!" Mr. Rudolf's voice thundered, causing Mrs. Berta to tremble. 'Where is he being held?"

'Why do you need to know?" Berta's voice wavered, her eyes wide with fear. 'Enough, brother!"

'There's a madman who dared do something like that to my daughter, and you think I'd just sit here, oblivious?" he seethed. 'Where's your gratitude for everything we've done for you, Berta? Where's your sense?"

Wait—what?

It felt like a thick fog wrapped around Erin's mind, muddling her thoughts. Why was her stepfather emphasizing his concern now? Why was he acting like he cared? Was it just another ploy to win over Mama Christy?

'I know I was wrong, brother! That's why I took responsibility. I'm here to tell you this because I care about Erin," Berta said, her voice shaking. 'Yes, I failed to act sooner, and I regret that deeply, but Erin deserves better than to be caught between our mistakes."

'DO YOU THINK TAKING RESPONSIBILITY ENDS THERE?" Mr. Rudolf's roar filled the room. 'What about Erin? Do you think she's unscathed? Do you think this didn't shatter her? You have no idea!"

Erin's chest tightened at the unexpected outburst. Part of her was moved, but another part doubted the sincerity behind his words.

'If I didn't care, I wouldn't be here today, brother," Berta's voice grew firmer. 'I know my failures. I'm here to mend them. I pitied Erin—being loved by a father who cages her as much as he loves her."

'What are you implying?" Mr. Rudolf's voice dropped to a dangerous calm as he stood, eyes blazing.

Mrs. Berta rose to meet him, matching his defiance. 'Erin was sent to work from home this week for reasons that link to her, Amir, and you, brother. You've tied her hands!"

'What business do you have meddling in my family?"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Berta's lips, tinged with a mix of sorrow and resolve. 'I remember another time, long ago, when a love story was forbidden. It was mine. And the man you doubted loved me purely until the day he died. I see echoes of that in them," she gestured to Erin and Amir, her eyes moist.

Erin felt the weight of her aunt's story settle in her chest. She had never known this part of Berta's life, and the revelation left her stunned. Amir's fingers pressed gently on her shoulder, anchoring her amidst the storm.

'What's your angle, Berta?" Rudolf's voice was clipped. 'First, you bring up Erin's ordeal, now you're championing Amir? What are you trying to prove?"

'The problem at my office is resolved, brother. But you overlooked one thing: it was Amir who protected Erin. If not for him recording that day's meeting as documentation, there would be no proof of what Steve tried to do. Amir ensured Erin's safety and gave her justice when no one else could."

Rudolf's eyes narrowed, the rage in them only subsiding momentarily. 'What are you saying?" His voice softened but held a threat of eruption.

'If Amir hadn't documented Erin's presentation, there would be no video. No evidence. And justice would have been hard to achieve." Berta's head lowered, acknowledging her lapse.

'Berta, how could you..." The flush in Rudolf's face returned, and he staggered backward. Mama Christy rushed to his side, placing a steadying hand on his chest.

'Brother, maybe you can't see it, but Amir has protected Erin in more ways than you know," Berta said. Her voice wavered, not with fear but with conviction. 'He deserves to be part of this family, and they deserve a love unburdened by our shadows."

The room went silent. Erin's heart pounded as the full gravity of the confrontation sank in. The tension crackled, but Amir's presence was a source of unwavering calm. He met her gaze and nodded, a quiet affirmation that steadied her nerves.

'I need to speak with the immediate family," Mr. Rudolf said at last, his tone cutting through the room. 'Everyone else, please leave."

Erin's hand shot to Amir's knee. 'No, I'm staying, but only if Amir stays too."

Rudolf's eyes hardened. 'Immediate family only."

'Then we're leaving." Erin stood, her hand entwined with Amir's. 'Come on, my love."

Erin stood up first.

'Amir!" Mr. Rudolf called directly to him.

Amir finally rose as Erin, full of impatience, urged him to move. She wanted to leave, to escape from the intensity in the room.

'Amir," Mr. Rudolf's eyes locked with his in a challenge. The intensity in the older man's gaze was familiar, a look that had silenced many under his command as a head chef. But Amir was different.

Mr. Rudolf's frown softened just a touch when Amir responded with a calm, confident nod, 'Alright, Uncle. I'll step out."

'What are you doing?" Erin's voice trembled as she grabbed the fabric of Amir's shirt, her eyes wide with disbelief. 'You promised you wouldn't leave me."

'I'll always be with you, as long as you still love me. I'm here," Amir said gently, tapping his chest.

'No! I need you here, with me!" Erin pulled at his shirt, desperation fueling her hold. 'Don't leave me alone in this!"

'You're not alone, sweetheart. They're your family."

'But you know my story!" she insisted, tears streaking down her face.

'They are the people who raised you, loved you, cared for you all these years, Erin." Amir's hand covered hers, pressing her palm to his chest. 'Trust me. They only want what's best for you. If you believe I am the best, then now it's your turn to show them. Show them who I am through your eyes."

'But—"

'If you trust me, follow your father's request. I need you to show your strength now. Be mature. Face this, okay?"

Erin felt as if she were standing on a vast plain, facing a pride of lions, each one hungry, their roars echoing around her. And Amir, instead of shielding her, was turning away.

Her hands slackened, trembling as her only anchor slipped away. The shield she had clung to so desperately was gone, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. She wiped her eyes, shaking her head at the man who, impossibly, remained steady and sure. His composure only added to the ache in her chest.

Unable to bear it, Erin turned and fled, racing to the refuge of her room.

The next hours were chaos. Her phone buzzed incessantly with calls and messages. There were heavy knocks, shouts, her father's booming voice, her mother's pleading tone, and Nathan's attempts to mediate—all ignored.

Erin blocked them out, barricading her door with her dresser and a wardrobe. No one would come in. No voice would reach her. Not even Amir's.

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of deep orange and violet. The noise outside her room finally faded, marked by the sound of her father's car leaving the driveway. Erin sat on her balcony, eyes unfocused as she gazed at the still surface of the swimming pool below.

The light from the garden lamps reflected off her diamond ring, catching her attention. It sparkled, a beautiful token that now felt heavy with disappointment.

What did this ring mean now? What kind of love was it where a man would not fight for his partner? Wouldn't stand firm against the storm to keep them together? If Amir's feelings were shallow, why did his every gesture convey such deep affection?

He had never been manipulative or opportunistic. Amir hadn't gained anything by being with her, nothing material to show. Erin believed, with a conviction she felt deep in her soul, that he was the one. The only one. Irreplaceable.

But the sting of his departure gnawed at her. He should have defended her. He should have stood by her side and declared that nothing could tear them apart. Instead, he'd walked away.

'Maturity," he had said. But wasn't maturity fighting for what you wanted?

Her vision blurred again as she studied the ring. It felt meaningless now, a cruel reminder of love that faltered when she needed it most. She slipped the ring off, feeling its weight lift from her finger, leaving a hollow ache in its wake.

'If you loved me, you would be here," Erin whispered. She looked at the glassy surface of the pool below and, without hesitation, tossed the ring into the water.

***