Amanda had to drag Harry the last few meters to her car. If he hadn't outright fainted, he was close to it. When she finally managed to get him into the back seat, she was panting. She wasn't a doctor, but it was obvious he needed one.


'Oh come on don't die on me now... after all that incestuous crap I had to listen.'


She sped toward the hospital. The city was settled into an eerie silence after the chaos caused by the collapse. Now, the sirens were as sporadic as any other Monday morning.


'Oh Stacy... you really pissed me off... all that intelligence, completely wasted... you could have used that down the real enemies.'


She glanced at the rear mirrow and saw Harry, unconcious and shivering in the back seat. She pressed the gas pedal.


When Harry woke up, he was in a Hospital bed. He had no idea how he got there or how long he had been out. His vision was blurry, but as his eyes adjusted, he noticed someone next to him. Ellie was asleep in a chair beside his bed. The sunlight hit her skin, making her look angelic; or maybe that was just the medication messing with his head.


He shifeted slightly, and the bed cracked. Ellie stirred and opened her eyes.


- Hey! You're awake. - She smiled at him and reached out to check his forehead.


- How long I've been here? - His throat was dry, and his mouth tasted bitter.


- You slept for a whole day. - She ran her fingers gently through his airs.


- How's Paula? - Harry looked around the room, searching for any sign of her.


- She is recovering well. Her injuries aren't severe enough to leave lasting damage. She's strong... and alive thanks to you. - Ellie paused, her voice trembling slightly. - You could have died... why did you do it? -


Harry closed his eyes like searching for words.


- It may sound cheesy, but from the moment I saw you sitting in that café I knew, my gut told me soulmates. And Paula... I love that kid. She reminds me of myself at her age. I couldn't just stand by and let her die... It didn't matter if I died in the process. -


She kissed him softly. - I love you too, maybe not in such a dramatic way, but I do. And I hate to admit it, but... you've officially fallen to the dark side of parenthood. - She hesitated, then blushed. - Do you want to pick up where we left off? Move in with us?. -


Harry squeezed her hand. - Nothing would make me happier... Stacy is gone for good... it's our turn to be happy. -


Harry was discharged from the hospital that moring. The first thing he did was visit Paula with Ellie. She was in her room watching cartoons, her grandfather sitting beside her. When Harry walked in, Paula's face lit up.


- I had a dream! - She exclaimed. - You came back from abroad and sat next to me when I was sick. -


Harry chuckled - Yeah! China is really far, but as soon as your mom told me you were hurt, I came right back to see you. -


Paula hesitated for a second, then she asked with trembling voice.


- You came back just to see me... dows that mean that you're my papa? -


Harry's heart clenched. He smiled warmly and brushed a strand of hair from her face.


- My blood is running through your veins. I'm your papa, you'll always be my kiddo. - He kissed her forehead.


It took a full month for Paula to be discharged. But she was never alone; her mother, her grandparents and Harry took turns staying with her. When she finally came back home, Harry was already living with them.


At school, no one could bully Paula anymore for not having a father. Harry was the best dad she could have dreamed of. And best of all? He was the perfect Darth Vader when they played Star Wars.


As for Stacy, they heard she sold her house and moved to New York. The first three years, she sent a Christmas postcard. Ellie and Harry never replied, and eventually, the postcards stopped.


Ellie and Harry never got married. They didn't need a piece fo paper to validate their love. But Harry registered as Paula's guardian.


Years later


One day, Ellie was walking downtown, she spotted a familiar face; Ms. Park.


She recognized her immediately from the trial, remembering her bravery. It was thanks to her that Ellie had won full custody of Paula.


- Ms Park! do you remember me? - Ellie asked with a smile.


Heyin turned, surprised, then smiled.


- How could I forget? Ellie Lockheart. Did that... man ever bother you again? -


- Yes... he did but he's not among us anymore. - Ellie hesitated. You look amazin! What are you up to these days? -


- Thanks! - Heyin's smile widened. - I run an organization that helps girls in situations like mine. We teach them not ot be afraid; to come forward and press charges when they're victims of abuse. I wish I had don that back them... But I was ashamed. And scared. -


Ellie frowned. - Scared of what? -


Heyin sighed. - That the court would doubt me. That they'd ask what I was wearing, if I ever flirted with him, if I somehow “led him on”. -


Ellie nodded in understanding. - You're doing an incredible job. I just hopne one day, there won't be as many girls who need your help.


That evening, Ellie came home and found Harry and Paula playing in the living room. She smiled, watching them laugh together.


'Thank you, mistery writer, for letting me have this in the end.'


Life still had its ups and downs; just like any other. Buth through everything. Ellie had learned something important.

We, as humans, cannot without both love and hardship.


Maybe, somewhere, there really was a ghostly hand writing out their fate. Maybe their story was nothing more than words on a page, never to be shared with other readers.


But none of that mattered.


Because in the end, what truly mattered was choice. The choices we make, the pahts we take. And even if fate throws obstacles in our way, it's up to us to find the lesson in every decision.


For Ellie and Harry, the greatest lesson was this;


Love has many faces; some beautiful, some ugly. But love is never late. It always arrives at the right time, in the right place.


THE END.