After another yelling match between Leona and Lisa about Lisa's future, the three of you sit in silence as you eat dinner. This was nothing new, fights like this practically happened every day. The silence was nice until Lisa stood up from the table

Lisa: "I don't get it. Why can't you just let me do what I want?" she questioned, eyes narrowing down at Leona.

Leona: She takes a sip of her drink before leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. "I don't want to see my daughter, prancing across a stage like some common loser." Her eyes narrowed into a glare "You will join the company whether you like it or not. Now sit back down and eat." her tone, slightly harsh as she drops the topic. The three of you return to eat in silence

Her eyes flicker to her husband before she glares at Lisa once more. "You're beginning to sound like you don't understand what is best for your own family." She sighs, "The company will offer you everything a normal girl can only dream of... stability, wealth, power. What else could you possibly want?" Her voice almost drips with condescension as she tries to force her vision onto Lisa one last time.

"There will always be time for such foolishness later," she hisses through clenched teeth. "First, you will learn what it means to be a real woman and fulfill your family's expectations." Her eyes flicker back and forth between her husband and daughter, weighing the argument in her mind, before finally speaking again. "Until then," she continues coolly, reaching for another piece of sushi, "you will join us for company events and begin training in business protocol."

Her face flushes with anger as Lisa accuses her of manipulating Nico and trying to control him. She slams her palms against the table, sending her sushi rolling and tumbling to the floor. "You ungrateful little brat! You have no idea what I've had to go through to keep this family together!" Leona's voice booms throughout the room, drawing curious glances from people nearby. "You think that just because you don't want to take after me means you can turn your back on everything we've built? On everyone who cares about you?"

"You..." Leona's voice trails off as she tries not to choke on her rage. "You have no idea what I've done for this family! I've sacrificed everything, given up my own dreams, so that you could have a better life than I did!" She stands abruptly, towering over Lisa as she shakes with fury. "And now you turn your back on me? You throw it all away just to dance around in cheap clothes and sell yourself to the highest bidder?" Her words pierce through the air like daggers, the pain etched into every syllable.

Nico looks down at his plate, unsure what to say or do as his wife and daughter continue to argue. The tension in the room is palpable, making him feel as though he's drowning in their vitriol.

"Oh, so that's how it is." Her voice cold and unyielding. "You choose her over me, don't you?" Her eyes flicker toward the door Lisa disappeared through before turning back to Nico. "Fine then," she hisses. "If that's what you want, we'll see how well your precious Lisa can handle being on her own." With a huff of anger, Leona storms out of the room and slams the door behind her.

Nico watches her go with a heavy heart, feeling as though he's just been tossed aside too. The two had always been so close... but it seemed that was over now. He sighs, rubbing at his face wearily. What was to become of them?

She tenses when she hears his voice but continues to scroll through her social media feeds, not bothering to look up at him. "What is there to talk about?" she asks coolly, barely concealing the anger in her voice. "You've made your choice. Lisa has chosen to rebel against me... I can only assume that you have too."

Her thumb glides over the screen of her phone as if unconsciously seeking some kind of distraction from the turmoil churning within her. The air between them grows heavier with every passing second, each breath she takes feeling like sandpaper against her skin.

She snorts derisively and rolls her eyes before looking up at him for the first time since he entered the room. "Of course not," she says, her voice laced with mockery. "Why would I give all of this up? The power, the wealth... the control?" Her gaze shifts away again, landing on some distant point behind Nico's shoulder. "But why would you want to be tied down by me any longer, hm? You could have anyone else... someone young and eager to please."

Her words cut deeper than a knife, leaving him reeling as the truth of her feelings sinks in. He looks at her now, not as his partner, but as an adversary; a formidable force he must somehow overcome if he hopes to save their family from utter destruction.

Her eyes widen slightly at his words, surprise evident on her usually impassive face. "You really believe that?" She asks softly, unable to hide the warring emotions playing across her features. Part of her wants to dismiss it as an empty sentiment meant to manipulate her into submission; another part of her is touched by the sincerity in his voice. "I've always loved you," she admits finally, staring intently at a spot on the floor between them. "Even when I was so focused on my own goals... but it seemed like everything we did only drove us further apart." She pauses, taking a deep breath before looking up at him again. "I don't know how to make it better," she says helplessly. "But I want to try."

Her words hang in the air for a long moment, heavy with unspoken promises and hopes for redemption. Nico studies her face intently, searching for any sign that she means what she's saying...and finding it. Slowly, hesitantly, he reaches out to take her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against his own. "Then let's try together," he says softly, squeezing her fingers gently.

There is silence between them for a while as they simply hold hands, seeking solace and comfort in each other's touch. It feels small, insignificant even; just two people trying to find their way back to the love that once defined them. But it is a start. A fragile beginning from which something new might grow, if they are both willing to fight for it.

She looks down at their joined hands before meeting his gaze again, and the hurt in her eyes tells him everything he needs to know. "No," she says quietly. "Never that." Her thumb begins to trace circles against the back of his hand in a soothing motion. "You're more than that to me. You always have been."

Her voice is shaky, barely above a whisper; raw emotion pooling in her eyes like tears she refuses to shed. The gesture speaks volumes about how much their relationship has changed over the years; from allies and equals to two people grasping at any scrap of connection they can find.

She hugs him back just as tightly, pressing her cheek against his chest so he can't see the tears forming in her eyes. "Because," she says softly, "sometimes I don't understand myself. All of this... it consumes me. It blurs the lines between what's right for our family and what I want." Her words are halting, hesitant as if she's not quite sure how to explain herself. "I just want what's best for us," she whispers into his chest. "I don't know if that means letting Lisa do what makes her happy or... keeping things the way they are."

Her grip tightens slightly, as if seeking strength and guidance from him; from the man who has always been her rock, her anchor in an ever-shifting world. The future is uncertain; fraught with danger and potential for disaster. But if they can hold onto each other, maybe there's still hope for them to weather this storm together.

Her breath hitches as he speaks; it's a wound she hadn't quite realized was still so raw. It takes her a moment to compose herself before she nods slowly in agreement. "You're right," she says finally, her voice little more than a whisper. "But I don't want to see her get hurt either... I just wish there was some way we could protect her without smothering her."

She tilts her head upward until their eyes meet, searching for some hint of understanding in his gaze. There is so much she wants to say to him; apologies, promises, hopes for the future. But the words seem to catch in her throat every time she tries to speak them aloud. Instead, she settles for pressing a kiss to his cheek and hugging him tighter, grateful that he's here with her now; even if it isn't under the circumstances either of them would have chosen.

"Yes," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "To always be there for each other... to never let anyone hurt us again." She closes her eyes as the memories flood back, vivid and painful in their clarity. "But it's not just about protecting her from physical harm," she says, pulling away slightly so she can look him in the eye. "It's about making sure she knows who she is... that she never forgets where she came from." Her gaze flickers downward for a moment before returning to meet his steady stare. "I want her to have everything we didn't... including the right to choose her own path."

There is a brief silence as they hold each other, the weight of their words and promises settling heavily between them like a physical thing. They are bound together by blood, by history; by love both profound and unyielding. But it seems that in order for them to move forward, they must first acknowledge and accept the things they cannot change...and learn to navigate the treacherous waters of parenthood as best they can.

She nods slowly, taking in his words and finding some measure of comfort in them. "You're right," she whispers softly. "We can't be perfect... but we can try to do better." Her eyes close again as she leans into him, grateful for the support he offers; grateful that they have each other to lean on as they navigate this uncharted territory of parenthood and family dynamics.

There is still so much work to be done, so many decisions to make...but at least now they can face them together. Hand in hand, hearts open and willing to listen, learn, and grow. For better or worse; through joy and heartache; as partners, as lovers, and most importantly, as parents.

She smiles up at him, her heart filling with gratitude and love. "Even if it takes us longer than that, you'll always be the one person I can count on," she says softly. "You've been there for me through thick and thin... and I promise to never forget what we have, no matter how much time passes."

Her fingers slide up his back, tracing circles against his skin as their embrace deepens. It's a silent vow, spoken without words; a promise made not just between them but also to the future they hope to build together. Even amidst the turmoil and uncertainty that surrounds them, there is an unyielding strength in their bond; a resilience that refuses to be broken by petty squabbles or harsh words.

It's this connection - this eternal flame burning bright between them - that gives her hope for the future. Hope for a tomorrow where they can raise Lisa together, guide her through life's trials and tribulations, and create new dreams and memories to last a lifetime.

She laughs softly, the sound more of a breathy chuckle than genuine amusement. "You're right," she admits with a small smile. "I don't think I ever really considered that... being with anyone else." Her fingers continue to wander over his skin, tracing lazy patterns across his back and shoulders. "Perhaps it was just easier to focus on what we didn't have, rather than appreciating all that we did."

There is a moment of silence between them as they simply bask in the closeness; the comfort that only comes from being completely open and vulnerable with someone you truly trust. It is rare and precious, a moment where they can forget about everything else except for each other...and maybe, just maybe, it's enough to help mend some of the fences that have been damaged in recent days.

The memory washes over her like warm sunlight on a cold winter's day; soft and comforting in its familiarity despite the hardship it signifies. "Yes," she says with a nod, her eyes meeting his once more. "Those were tough times... but we made it through together." She cups his cheek in her palm, tracing a line down his jaw before looping her arm around his waist and leaning her head against his shoulder. "And we'll get through this too," she whispers softly. "As long as we have each other."

Leona laughs softly, the sound genuine and free. "Neither do I," she says, running her fingers through his hair. "But it's a reminder of how far we've come... and how much stronger we became because of those difficult times." She leans back slightly, gazing up at him with a mixture of love and admiration in her eyes. "You were always so protective of me, even when I didn't want or need it."

Her fingers continue to play over his face and neck, tracing the lines and curves that tell the story of their shared past; the highs and lows they have weathered together. For all the pain and suffering they endured back then, she can't help but feel an unyielding sense of gratitude for having had him by her side every step of the way...and for being by her side still.

Her heart skips a beat at his words; they echo deep inside her, stirring up emotions she's tried so hard to bury. She'd never doubted his love for her, not even when things were at their worst...but hearing him put it into words like this brings tears to her eyes. She blinks them away quickly, afraid that if she lets even a single one fall they might never stop.

Instead, she curls into him tighter; drawing strength from his presence and the simple act of being held close. "Thank you," she whispers against his chest, her voice hoarse with emotion. "For always being there... for loving me even when I didn't deserve it." She takes a shaky breath before adding, "I hope I can find a way to make things right between us... to show you just how much you mean to me, and how grateful I am for everything we have."

The words cause Leona to pull away slightly, guilt washing over her like a cold wave. "I'm sorry," she whispers, her eyes searching his face for any hint of disapproval. "I never meant to push you away... I just didn't know how else to deal with everything." She swallows hard before continuing, "Maybe I should have talked to you more... listened to what you had to say."

She hugs him again, feeling the weight of their shared history pressing down upon them. It's a burden they'll carry for the rest of their lives; one that will either make or break them as partners, as parents...as people. But she refuses to give up on it; on them. With a renewed determination burning in her heart, she vows to do better; to be better, starting right now and continuing forward into whatever uncertain future lies ahead.