Her Song, His Heart

The Crossroads

Mannon was only just settling back into the rhythm of her life in Korea when the phone call came. She was lounging on the couch, reviewing plans for her upcoming Versace shoot, when her phone buzzed on the coffee table.

She saw Amara’s name and smiled, expecting an update about the nursery or some casual gossip.

“Hey, Mama-to-be!” Mannon greeted brightly, but the response on the other end made her freeze.

It wasn’t Amara. It was Jordan.

“Mannon, you need to come back. It’s Amara,” he said, his voice tight with panic.

“What happened?” she demanded, sitting upright.

“She collapsed. We’re at the hospital. The doctors think it’s complications with the pregnancy.”

Mannon’s heart dropped into her stomach. She barely registered Jordan’s continued explanation before she jumped up, grabbing her keys and rushing out of the dorm.

---

The Debate

Chan found her pacing in the living room when he got home later that evening. Her suitcase sat half-packed on the floor, her expression frantic.

“Mannon?” he called gently, concern etched into his features. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Amara,” she said, her voice trembling. “She’s in the hospital. Something’s wrong with the baby.”

Chan’s brow furrowed. “When are you leaving?”

“That’s the problem,” Mannon replied, her tone edging on hysteria. “The shoot’s in two days. If I leave now, I’ll jeopardize everything I’ve been working for.”

Chan crossed the room, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. “Mannie, listen to me. You don’t have to make this decision alone.”

“But I do, Channie!” she exclaimed, pulling away. “No one else can decide this for me. If I go, I’m letting Versace down. If I stay, I’m letting Amara down. Either way, someone loses.”

---

The Call That Broke Her

As if to add to her stress, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was the Versace coordinator. Mannon hesitated before answering, her voice a strained attempt at calm.

“Mannon, we’ve finalized the schedule,” the coordinator began. “You’ll need to be on set starting tomorrow for fittings. It’s a crucial campaign, and we’re counting on you to deliver.”

Her grip on the phone tightened. “I… understand. I’ll be there.”

When she hung up, her hands were trembling. She glanced at Chan, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “What do I do, Chan? How do I choose?”

Chan sighed, his own emotions warring between wanting to support her career and knowing how much Amara meant to her. “I think you already know the answer, Mannie. You just have to be brave enough to follow it.”

---

The Decision

Mannon barely slept that night. Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. By the time the sun rose, she knew what she had to do.

She called the Versace coordinator first, her stomach twisting with guilt. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it,” she said, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.

There was a pause on the other end before the coordinator responded, her tone clipped. “This is highly unprofessional, Mannon. You realize this will have repercussions, don’t you?”

“I do,” Mannon said softly. “But this is something I can’t compromise on. I hope you understand.”

She hung up before the coordinator could argue further, then immediately began booking a flight back to Australia.

---

Back to Amara

When Mannon arrived at the hospital, she found Jordan pacing outside the room, looking pale and distraught.

“How is she?” Mannon demanded as she approached.

“They stabilized her, but it was close,” Jordan said, running a hand through his hair. “The baby’s okay for now, but the doctors said she needs to be monitored closely.”

Mannon pushed past him into the room, where Amara lay pale but awake. Her eyes lit up when she saw Mannon.

“You came,” Amara whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“Of course, I came,” Mannon said, her own tears finally spilling over. “You’re my family, Amara. I’d drop everything for you.”

Amara reached for her hand, squeezing it weakly. “Thank you,” she said, her voice breaking. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

---

Aftermath

Mannon stayed by Amara’s side for the next several days, helping her through the recovery process and ensuring Jordan was stepping up as promised.

She didn’t regret her decision, but the fallout from her choice loomed over her. Versace dropped her from the campaign, and she knew rebuilding her reputation would take time.

But as she sat by Amara’s side, watching her best friend smile for the first time in days, Mannon felt a sense of peace. Some things were more important than fame or success.

For now, she was exactly where she needed to be.