AEAO

seventeen

Shi sat quietly in the corner of the coffee shop, stirring her drink absentmindedly as she watched the bustle of people passing by. Her mind was far away, tangled in thoughts she couldn't escape. It had been a few weeks since the last phone call from her biological father, and his words still echoed in her mind, even in the peaceful moments.

"You don't need them, Shi. You belong with your real family. You've always been mine."

It was strange how hearing his voice again made her feel both angry and nostalgic at the same time. It was a reminder of everything she'd worked so hard to move past. But those words, you belong with your real family, kept gnawing at her. Her "real family." She'd always thought the Reems family was her real family—Camari, Keanu, Elijah. They had taken her in when she was lost, gave her stability and love when she had none. But now, as Luca became more and more a part of her life, and the weight of her biological father's presence lingered like an old wound, she started to feel divided in a way she never had before.

Luca, with his carefree attitude and ambition, had given her a fresh perspective on life. He helped her see things more clearly and encouraged her to pursue her passions, even when she felt unsure. He made her feel important in ways no one else had. But as they grew closer, and as she continued to heal, the ghosts of her past started to resurface. The more she leaned on Luca, the more she felt guilty for not fully embracing the family that had raised her.

Her biological father's calls had become more frequent, and now, with every interaction, it was clear that he wasn't ready to accept the life she'd built for herself. He didn't understand her choices, her career ambitions, her relationship with Luca, or the people who'd come to love her as their own. And with every call, he pushed harder, his need for her to come back into his life growing stronger.

"Shi, come on. You know this isn't right. You're mine, remember?" His voice had been insistent, each word digging deeper, reminding her of her place in his world, a world she didn't want anymore.

She stared at her phone in frustration, the notifications from Luca's text messages unread. She had been avoiding him for a few hours, needing space to process everything that was happening inside her.

Should I have told him about the calls? Should I even be this confused?

Shi didn't know who to talk to anymore. She felt disconnected from both sides of her life—her biological father, who kept trying to reclaim her, and the Reems family, who loved her unconditionally but didn't fully understand the emotional weight she carried.

Her phone buzzed again. It was Luca. The message was simple but warm.

Luca: "Hey, how's your day going? I miss you."

Shi stared at the screen, her heart tightening. She hadn't wanted to worry him, not yet. But the knot in her stomach told her it was only a matter of time before she'd have to confront it all.

I should talk to him about this.

But the guilt still lingered. She didn't want to burden Luca with the complications of her past, especially not when they had something so beautiful going on. They were happy. She was happy, in a way she had never been before. But the pull of her father's words was becoming too much to ignore.

Shi took a deep breath, turning her phone over and closing her eyes. She had to make a decision, but the decision didn't feel clear. What did she really want? Was she ready to let go of her father once and for all and fully embrace the family that had always been there for her? Could she have both? Or was it time to face the painful reality that some parts of her past could never be erased, no matter how hard she tried?

The sound of a door opening caught her attention, and she looked up to see Luca walking into the coffee shop, his usual bright smile fading slightly when he noticed her distant expression.

He approached the table quietly, sitting down across from her without saying anything. He studied her for a moment before speaking.

"Hey, what's going on? You've been quiet all day," he said gently, his voice soft, but with concern.

Shi forced a small smile, trying to push her emotions back. "I'm just thinking, you know. A lot on my mind."

Luca reached across the table, placing his hand over hers, his touch warm and reassuring. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Whatever's bothering you, I'll listen."

Shi hesitated, her throat tightening. She opened her mouth to say something but paused. She wasn't sure where to start, or if Luca would understand. Could he even understand the conflict inside her, the tug of loyalty to two families, neither of which she truly felt like she belonged to?

She finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been hearing from my dad a lot. And it's just... it's hard. I don't know what to do with all of this. I feel like I'm torn between two worlds—between you, between my family, and the life I've built here, and my biological dad, who still wants me to come back. To be his."

Luca's face softened, and he squeezed her hand. "I get it. That's a lot to carry. But I think you need to think about what's best for you, Shi. Not what anyone else wants, but what makes you feel whole. I can't tell you what that is, but you'll figure it out."

His words, though simple, felt like a balm to her troubled mind. Shi let out a deep breath, grateful for Luca's steady presence.

"I don't want to let go of this life," she whispered, tears starting to prick at the corners of her eyes. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose my family here. But I also don't want to completely forget where I came from."

Luca leaned in, his forehead gently touching hers. "You don't have to forget. But you do have to choose what makes you happy, what makes you feel at peace. I'll be here, no matter what, and I'll help you through it. We'll figure it out together."

In that moment, Shi realized that maybe she didn't have to have all the answers right now. Maybe all she needed to do was take it one step at a time, trusting herself to find her path, no matter how complicated or messy it seemed.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Luca replied with a smile, his hand gently cupping her face as he kissed her forehead. "You've got me, Shi. Always."

For the first time in weeks, Shi felt like maybe everything would be okay. She wasn't sure what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she wasn't afraid to face it.