HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 20

Fractured Loyalties

The helicopter landed on the hospital helipad with a jarring thud, its rotors still spinning as medical personnel rushed forward. Lia, blood-stained and exhausted, was the first to step out, her sniper rifle slung across her back. She turned to Ethan, who, along with Luigi and Major Ocampo, was helping the injured pilot out of the aircraft.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked, concern clear in his eyes as he steadied the pilot.

"Yeah," Lia replied, her voice barely a whisper. "Just get him to safety."

As the medics approached her, Lia felt dizzy and then lost consciousness.

"Lia!" Ethan yelled in horror as she swayed.

Before everything went black, Lia heard Ethan calling her name. Instead of seeing him rush toward her, she glimpsed Lucas as her vision faded into darkness.

"Lia!" Ethan's voice was relieved and urgency as he caught her just before she hit the ground. As darkness enveloped her, the last thing she felt was the warmth of Lucas' arms, a confusing swirl of emotions mingling in her unconscious mind.

When Lia woke up, she found herself in a private hospital room. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the steady beep of the heart monitor provided a rhythmic backdrop. Major Ocampo's presence immediately caught her attention as he approached, his face filled with concern.

"First Lieutenant Santos, how are you feeling?" he inquired, his tone calm yet serious.

"It's just a scratch, sir," Lia replied with a faint smile, attempting to rise from her bed. "What about Ethan? Where is he?"

Major Ocampo hesitated. "Lieutenant Colonel De Vega spoke with him," he said, his expression unreadable.

"Why? What happened?" Lia asked, her voice laced with worry.

Ocampo's vague response deepened Lia's suspicions about Ethan, but she couldn't shake the memory of seeing him lifeless before. It felt impossible, yet her gut told her otherwise. After years of falling for Lucas, she realized she had fallen in love with Ethan in just a month—and loved him more than she had ever loved Lucas. Perhaps it was because she saw Ethan's vulnerability, his unfamiliarity with harshness, that confused her.

Minutes later, the door opened, and Ethan walked in, his face a mix of worry, relief, and something Lia couldn't quite identify.

"Hi!" Ethan greeted her with a smile, quickly approaching.

"H-hi," she replied, surprised by the warmth of his presence.

"I was so worried; I thought I was going to lose you," Ethan said, his voice thick with emotion. "I had to threaten Luigi to make sure he did everything he could to save you."

"You didn't have to do that. I know Luigi; he wouldn't let me down."

Noticing the awkwardness in the air, Major Ocampo quickly excused himself. "I'll call your mom, Lieutenant."

Before Lia could respond, an unexpected guest arrived.

"Ethan!" A familiar yet unwelcome voice cut through the tension. Candice, Ethan's ex-fiancée, stepped into the room. Lia immediately sensed the energy shift, particularly the familiarity between Ethan and Candice.

"Candice, what are you doing here?" Ethan asked, his voice a mix of surprise and discomfort.

"I heard what happened and came as soon as I could," Candice replied, her eyes flicking between Lia and Ethan. "I was worried about you."