HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 44

The Final Confrontation

Lia jolted awake to the sharp crack of gunfire, a surge of fear and anger coursing through her veins. She spotted Maria, gun raised, flanked by De Vega's men. Lucas reacted instantly, shoving Lia and Kevin away from the danger zone as bullets whizzed past them.

"Maria! What are you doing?" Lia shouted, her gaze a storm of fury and concern.

Staring at Maria in disbelief, Lia felt her legs threaten to give out beneath her. Behind her, the echo of approaching footsteps sent a chill down her spine. She knew she had to stop De Vega but felt paralyzed by uncertainty.

"Stay close, Lia," Lucas urged, moving closer to her. "We can't succeed unless we work together. We need to believe in each other."

Despite the conflict, their hearts united to end violence and seek justice. Despite the weight of their smiles, doubt lingered in the air, clouding every moment.

Flashback

Maria couldn't believe how dramatically her life had shifted in just a few months. She and Ethan had been inseparable since their first days in college, where he eagerly occupied the front row of their political science class while she rushed in just before the bell. Despite their differences, they balanced each other perfectly.

Maria often laughed as Ethan struggled to keep his notes in order, only for them to scatter with a sudden gust of wind. He would chuckle, shaking his head in mock despair. Their connection was undeniable, woven together by shared dreams and aspirations.

"I love you," Ethan whispered one night under a blanket of stars, his eyes glimmering with sincerity. Maria's heart soared as she replied, "I love you too, Ethan. You're the only one I love."

Love supported them following Maria's job loss and Ethan's father's death. They were each other's anchors, their bond growing stronger with every challenge. They dreamt of exploring the world together, starting a family, and making a meaningful impact in their community.

Then everything changed. Ethan kissed Maria farewell and promised to contact her when he returned from a work trip. The call never arrived. Days became weeks, and weeks became months. Hope slowly turned to despair as reality set in.

"Where are you, Ethan?" Maria whispered to herself, tears streaming down her face. Sleepless nights blurred into one another, and she was consumed by heartache. Friends tried to comfort her, but no amount of support could fill the void Ethan left behind. She wandered through places they had shared, searching for traces of him, but found only echoes of their memories.

As months faded into years, Maria realized some questions would remain unanswered. Ethan had taken a piece of her heart, leaving her in a cold, unfamiliar world.

"I love you so much, Ethan," Maria whispered one last time, her voice heavy with longing.

Two years after Ethan's disappearance, Maria was surprised when Lucas—Ethan's twin—contacted her about their assignment. At first, she mistook him for Ethan.

"M-Maria," he greeted, his voice steady yet familiar. "It's Ethan. We need to talk about De Vega."

Maria froze, her hand clutching her chest in nervous disbelief. She felt a mix of anger and frustration. After two years of silence, Ethan suddenly wanted to discuss her boss, Lieutenant Colonel De Vega.

"Ethan, I've been waiting for your call. Go ahead," She answered, attempting to hide her anxieties as his words calmed her fury.

"Maria, we believe you can help us expose De Vega," Ethan urged. "But we need to ensure your safety. Can we meet in person?"