The Battle line

Sophia’s POV

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Some choices change everything. Some choices create war.

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The dim glow of the restaurant lights cast a golden hue over Danny’s face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw, the way his lips curved when he spoke. He had this effortless charm, the kind that pulled you in before you even realized it.

We sat across from each other, our drinks resting between us, the conversation flowing easily.

Danny adored me.

Danny’s voice was warm, laced with a charm that could melt the coldest heart.

“Sophia, you’re not even listening to me.”

I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. My drink sat untouched on the table, the ice melting into the deep amber liquid.

“Sorry,” I said, forcing a small smile. “Just a lot on my mind.”

He chuckled. “You? Overthinking? Shocking.”

I rolled my eyes, but the teasing in his voice made my chest tighten.

Danny had a way of making things feel light, even when my world felt heavy.

But nothing about this was light.

Because no matter how much I tried to enjoy this moment, I couldn’t shake the growing storm in my mind.

Serena.

The thought of her waiting at the office, probably watching the clock, probably wondering where I was—it gnawed at me.

I knew she wanted Danny.

I knew that my mere presence with him would set something off inside her.

And yet, here I was.

Drinking with him. Laughing with him. Letting myself imagine something that could never be.

Danny leaned forward, his gaze steady on me.

“Sophia, there’s something I want to ask you.”

My stomach tightened.

I already knew what was coming.

“I like you,” he continued. “I’ve liked you from the moment I met you.”

I swallowed.

“But you…” His lips curled into a knowing smirk. “You keep pretending not to notice.”

I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t pretend anything, Danny.”

He arched a brow. “Then go out with me. For real this time.”

My heart thudded painfully.

I looked down, tracing my finger along the rim of my glass.

I should say no.

I had to say no.

Serena would never forgive me.

She had spent years living in my shadow, convincing herself that I always got what I wanted while she got nothing.

And if I took Danny too…

I couldn’t even begin to imagine what she would do.

“I… don’t think that’s a good idea,” I finally said.

Danny sighed, shaking his head. “Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Run.”

I blinked. “I’m not—”

“You are,” he cut in, leaning back against the booth. “Every time I get close to you, you pull away. Every time I try to get to know you, you shut down.”

I clenched my fists beneath the table.

“It’s not that simple, Danny,” I murmured.

His eyes softened. “Then make it simple.”

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. “Look… you can date Serena. I think she’s more ready than me.”

Danny frowned, confused. “Serena?”

“She likes you,” I blurted out. “A lot. She’s been waiting for you to notice her.”

Danny ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “Sophia, I don’t want Serena.”

I felt a pang of guilt.

“But she—”

“It’s you, Sophia.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. “It’s always been you.”

Something inside me cracked.

The way he was looking at me, like I was the only woman in the world, made my heart ache.

He reached across the table, taking my hand in his.

“Just stop thinking for once,” he said softly. “And tell me what you really want.”

I swallowed hard.

I wanted him.

I always had.

And for the first time in my life, I decided to be selfish.

“Yes,” I whispered.

Danny’s lips curled into a slow smile, and just like that—

I had drawn the battle line.

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The Storm at Home

Later that night, the house felt heavier than usual.

I could feel Serena’s presence even before I saw her.

She was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her phone, but I knew she was waiting for me.

I cleared my throat. “Hey.”

She didn’t look up.

I hesitated. “I, uh… I have something to say.”

Mom and Dad were in the kitchen, chatting softly. The clinking of dishes filled the silence between us.

Serena finally lifted her gaze, her eyes unreadable. “What is it?”

I took a deep breath.

“I’m dating Danny.”

The room went still.

For a moment, she didn’t move. Didn’t react.

Then, slowly, she placed her phone down on the table.

Her lips curved into a small, forced smile.

“That’s great, Soph,” she said.

But I knew that smile.

It was the same one she gave when she was holding back.

When she was barely containing the storm inside her.

“I hope it works out for you,” she added.

Then, without another word, she stood up and walked away.

I watched her disappear down the hallway, my stomach twisting.

She wasn’t okay.

She was furious.

And I had no idea what she was about to do next.

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Serena’s Breaking Point

Inside her room, Serena stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.

Her hands trembled as she gripped the edge of her dresser.

Her breathing was uneven.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

Sophia had to take Danny too.

She always had to win.

A hot tear slipped down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away.

No.

She wasn’t going to cry over this.

She was going to fix it.

Sophia might think she had won, but she had no idea what Serena was willing to do to take back what was hers.

This wasn’t over.

It was just beginning.

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Final Question: What happens when love becomes the reason for war?