Choosing 10

Cara Lynch, the third-born child in a large and turbulent family, has long been the unofficial mother to her five siblings. At just 16, she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, forced to protect her younger siblings from their abusive father while her disengaged mother offers no help. Despite the chaos at home, Cara finds comfort in her tight-knit group of childhood friends-Hughie Biggs, Gerard Gibson, Patrick Feely, and later, Johnny Kavanagh. But it's Hughie, now 17, who has always been her rock, quietly watching over her and carrying a deep, unspoken affection for her.

For years, Hughie has harbored a secret crush on Cara, admiring her strength, resilience, and selflessness from a distance. When Cara is barely 16, their friendship deepens into something more, and their connection blossoms into a tender and fierce love. It's a slow burn, but one that feels inevitable-Hughie has always been there for her, and now, he becomes the one person who shows Cara what it means to be cared for in return.

Though Cara is used to protecting others, she's never had anyone to protect her, just her older brother Joey, as Darren left them when he was 18. But Hughie is different. He steps up in ways she never imagined, keeping her secrets, standing by her side, and offering her the kind of unwavering support she's never known. He becomes her safe place, the one constant in her stormy life. As their love grows, Cara begins to feel a sense of security she's never experienced, even as she remains trapped in her toxic home environment.