When nothing goes right, turn left

The Choice he never had

William sat in the empty study, the weight of his father's words pressing down like something invisible but crushing.

"You'll make her stop."

It echoed in his head—sharp, heavy, tangled in years of memories.

Back then, he had listened. He had left Veronica.

He had told himself it was the right thing, that the reasons were justified even if he didn't understand them.

But now?

Now, he knew.

The deal, the transfer, the mystery—his father had been controlling the story all along.

Smith had known. Elijah had known.

And William? He had been kept blind.

He had walked away from Veronica without realizing he was protecting secrets that were never his to keep.

His hands curled into fists.

"You took that choice from me," he whispered under his breath.

And now, he wasn't going to let it happen again.

Veronica sat across from William in the dim booth of the empty diner, staring at the untouched cup of coffee between them.

He hadn't spoken yet.

Not really.

Not the way he needed to.

His fingers drummed absently against the table before he exhaled sharply, finally meeting her gaze.

"I didn't leave you because I wanted to."

Veronica's chest tightened.

"I know."

William swallowed hard. "But I didn't know why until now."

The air shifted.

"My father was part of the deal that involved your mother," he murmured. "But I didn't know that back then. I was just—following orders. Walking away because it was easier than questioning him."

Veronica's pulse hammered.

"What did he tell you?"

William exhaled. "That being with you would make things messy. That it would drag me into something I wasn't supposed to be part of."

Her fingers curled into fists. "That's what this was? Control?"

William nodded slowly.

"And now, I see it for what it was."

Silence stretched.

William watched her, searching her face for something—maybe forgiveness, maybe understanding.

But Veronica just stared back, heart pounding.

"I deserved to know this back then," she whispered.

William flinched.

"I know."

"And now?" Her voice sharpened. "You think telling me fixes any of it?"

He shook his head. "No."

She swallowed.

Then—she stood up.

"I need time," she murmured.

And just like that, she was gone.

Leaving William with nothing but the mess he had never wanted to make.