CLIMBING HEARTS

PAUL'S FINAL MISTAKE

It was another hectic day at the hospital, the hum of activity filling the air as nurses and doctors moved between rooms. Rose had just finished her shift, exhaustion settling in her bones as she headed toward the staff parking lot. She was deep in thought when a familiar voice, sharp and urgent, pierced through the din.

"Rose!"

She froze in her tracks, recognizing the voice instantly. Paul.

Before she could react, Paul strode over and grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward her car.

"You need to come with me. Now," he demanded, his grip tightening.

Rose yanked her arm free, glaring at him. "Paul, what are you doing? Let go of me!"

His face was pale, his usual confident demeanor cracking. "You don't understand, Rose. We need to get married—right now."

Rose blinked, her confusion quickly replaced by anger. "What? You disappear, and now you show up out of nowhere demanding marriage? You don't get to decide that."

Paul's eyes darted nervously, his voice lowering to a frantic whisper. "There's... someone else. She's pregnant. But she doesn't mean anything to me, I swear. She's the daughter of my dad's business partner, and I—" he stammered, "I can't be with her. My father's already made arrangements. I need you, Rose. You're my way out of this."

Rose stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in like a punch to the gut.

"You're only here because you're running away from your mistakes," she said, her voice steely with disbelief. "You think you can use me to fix your life? To save your reputation?!"

Paul's face flushed with anger, his desperation spilling over. "We're perfect together, Rose! Don't act like you don't still love me."

Rose crossed her arms, standing firm. "Love? You don't even know the meaning of it, Paul. I'm not your escape plan."

As if on cue, Lucas appeared in the parking lot, his gaze finding Rose. He had overheard enough to piece the situation together. His presence was calm, but there was a quiet strength in his posture. Without a word, he approached, his eyes locking onto Paul's with a measured intensity.

"This isn't your fight anymore, Rose," Lucas said softly, placing himself between them. "Let me handle this."

Paul sneered at Lucas, his bravado fading. He knew he was outmatched, but his pride wouldn't let him back down easily.

"You think you can just waltz in here and take my place?" Paul spat. "I'll make sure your job's in jeopardy. You won't get away with this!"

With a final glare, Paul stormed toward his car, but not before making one last menacing move. As he started the engine, he accelerated toward Lucas, who barely managed to jump back in time.

Rose let out a scream of fear, her heart racing. She ran to Lucas, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Lucas, are you okay?"

Lucas wrapped his arms around her, his heart pounding from the adrenaline. He gently cupped her face, leaning in to kiss her deeply, his lips conveying all the emotions he couldn't put into words. The kiss was tender yet fierce, a promise of protection and commitment.

When they finally pulled away, Lucas looked into Rose's eyes, his voice a whisper. "I'm here, Rose. I'm not going anywhere."

Rose nodded, tears in her eyes but a smile on her lips. "Thank you for being here with me, Lucas."

They stood together in the parking lot, the chaos of the day fading as they found solace in each other's arms. The confrontation with Paul had been intense, but it had only strengthened their bond, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

Margaret's Apology

Later that evening, Rose found herself sitting in the living room with her mother. The tension from the past few weeks hung heavy in the air. Margaret sat stiffly beside her, her face unreadable, but Rose knew this conversation was long overdue.

"Mom, we need to talk," Rose began, her voice soft but firm. "Paul came to the hospital today."

Margaret's eyes flickered with concern. "What did he want?"

"He wanted me to marry him," Rose said, shaking her head. "But not because he loves me. He's running from his responsibilities. He got another woman pregnant—someone from his father's business circle. He thought marrying me would be his way out."

Margaret's eyes widened, her expression turning to one of shock. "I... I didn't know."

"You need to understand, Mom," Rose continued, her voice breaking slightly. "Lucas is the one I want. He means more to me than Paul ever did. I need you to see that."

There was a long pause before Margaret finally spoke, her voice laced with guilt. "I was wrong, Rose. I see that now. I just... I wanted you to have the life I always dreamed for you. But Paul—he wasn't it." She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry for pushing him on you."

Rose reached for her mother's hand, squeezing it gently. "You don't have to worry about me, Mom. I've found what makes me happy."

Margaret hesitated, glancing toward the doorway where Lucas stood, waiting respectfully. The earlier tension in the room seemed to dissipate as she took a moment to reflect on the emotional journey her daughter had been through. With a slow breath, she let out a sigh and managed a faint smile. "Bring Lucas to dinner again. And... tell him to bring his son next time."

Rose's eyes filled with tears, her heart swelling with a mix of relief and gratitude. She reached out and gently squeezed her mother's hand, her voice soft but filled with determination. "I will, Mom. I will."

Margaret's acceptance marked a turning point, opening a path toward healing and understanding. The family dynamic was shifting, and Rose felt a renewed sense of hope. As the evening drew to a close, she felt a sense of anticipation for what the future might hold, knowing that her journey of love and reconciliation was far from over.