THE TRUTH THAT SHATTERED EVERYTHING
The silence in the garage felt heavy.
Leon stared at the cracked concrete floor, jaw clenched, hands shaking slightly. Elliana watched him, her heart pounding, already sensing that whatever he was about to say would change everything.
"Your mom…" he started, then stopped.
Elliana's chest tightened. "Say it."
Leon swallowed hard. "There was an accident. Years ago. A race went wrong. I lost control… and her car was there. She got caught in it."
Elliana froze. "What are you saying?"
His voice broke. "I'm saying… I'm the reason she died."
The words hit her like a slap.
"No." She laughed bitterly. "You're lying."
"I wish I was," Leon whispered. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I was stupid. Reckless. I ran after it happened… I was scared."
Elliana stepped back, shaking her head. "So all this time… all this time you let me cry to you about her?"
"I didn't plan it!" he said quickly. "I didn't know you were her daughter at first. And when I found out, it was too late. I was already in love with you."
Her eyes burned with tears. "Don't you dare say that."
She shoved him hard. "You killed my mom!"
Leon didn't fight back. He deserved it.
"You held my hand while I talked about her," she cried. "You let me trust you!"
"I hated myself every second," he whispered. "I still do."
Elliana's chest heaved. "My dad was right about you. You ruin lives."
Leon closed his eyes. "I know."
Silence stretched between them, thick with pain.
"You used me," she said softly. "You looked me in the eyes every day and lied."
"I was trying to protect you," he pleaded.
"Protect me?" she laughed through tears. "From what? The truth? From YOU?"
She turned away, wiping her face angrily. "Get away from me."
"Ellie—"
"DON'T call me that!" she snapped. "You lost that right."
Leon stepped back, heart breaking.
"I hate you," she whispered.
And this time… he believed her.
Elliana walked out of the garage, not looking back, her whole world shattered.
The boy she loved…
Was the reason her mother was gone.
And now, she didn't know which pain hurt more.