C483 Two Impossible Choices

After dinner, Samantha and Monica finally left the Heaps family. Samantha drove quietly through the streets of Glasgow. The roads were relatively quiet, and the lights from the houses and businesses passed across the windshield as she drove. But Samantha wasn't really paying attention to the scenery. Her mind was somewhere else. She kept thinking about what had happened earlier at the Wood residence. More specifically, she kept thinking about Ben. His question had caught her completely off guard. She had managed to avoid answering him, but she knew she couldn't avoid the problem forever. Ben had noticed something. He might not know the truth yet, but he clearly suspected something about her relationship with Faith. Samantha tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “What am I going to do?” she whispered to herself. She loved Faith. That wasn't something she could deny. But she also had a husband. And she had a daughter who was growing old enough to notice the relationships around her. Samantha sighed. Eventually, she arrived at the Wood residence. Luckily, by the time she entered the house, everyone had already returned to their rooms.

She quietly walked upstairs and entered her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and stood there for a moment. Then she picked up her phone. There was only one person she wanted to talk to. Faith. She started a video call. After a few rings, Faith answered. “Honey?” Samantha smiled. “Hi.” Faith smiled back. “I was just thinking about you.” Samantha immediately blushed. “I miss you.” Faith's smile grew. “I miss you too.” Samantha's expression then became more serious. “But we have a problem.” Faith sat up straight. “What happened?” “I think my husband knows about us.” Faith's smile disappeared. “Does he?” “I don't know,” Samantha admitted. “He asked me something earlier, and I couldn't answer him.” Faith remained quiet for a moment. Then she asked softly, “Will it bring trouble to you?” Samantha frowned. “What do you mean?” Faith looked down. “Do you want to end things with me now?” Samantha immediately laughed. “Never.” Faith looked back at her. “You know how much I love you.” Samantha's expression softened. “I am happy with you, Faith. If he knows, then he knows.” She paused. “Nothing is going to change how I feel about you.” Faith smiled. “I love you too, Samantha.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them disappeared. Then Faith smiled. “And where is my gorgeous daughter?” Samantha laughed. “Your daughter?” Samantha blushed. “She fell asleep on our way back. So she's your daughter now?” Faith laughed. “Well…” “We're together, so yes. She's my daughter too.” Samantha smiled. She thought about it for a moment. “Then how am I going to tell her to stop calling you Aunt?” Faith laughed. “No. Don't you dare.” “What?” “Let her keep calling me Aunt.” Samantha laughed. “You're enjoying this.” “Of course I am.” They both smiled. For a while, they simply talked. They discussed Monica, their families, and everything that had happened during the day. Neither wanted to end the call. Eventually, however, they said goodnight. “Goodnight, Honey.” “Goodnight.” The call ended. Samantha placed the phone beside her bed. For the first time that night, she smiled. Then she went to sleep. Meanwhile, Alicia and I were lying in bed. We had spent several hours together, trying to forget everything that had happened. But neither of us could truly relax. There was too much going on. Too many questions. Too many people in danger. Too many decisions waiting for us. Alicia looked at the clock. It was already 10 p.m. She stared at it for a few seconds. Then she turned toward me. “Are you feeling sleepy?” I shook my head. “No.” Alicia suddenly sat up. She reached for her clothes. “Let's go.” I froze. “Where?”

She didn't answer. She simply began getting dressed. I knew that look. Something was bothering her. I quickly got dressed and followed her out of the bedroom. We walked through the hallway quietly. Alicia stopped one of the maids. “Can you please go and call my father Mark, my grandfather Peter, and my father-in-law Quinton?” The maid nodded. “Tell them to come to my father's study. It's urgent.” The maid was about to leave when Alicia stopped her. “Wait.” The maid turned around. Alicia looked at her carefully. “Remember, only those three.” She paused. “No one else.” The maid nodded. “Yes, ma'am.” She left. I looked at Alicia. “You really don't want anyone else hearing this.” Alicia shook her head. “No.” She looked toward the study. “This is a serious matter and it is not for the weak.” A few minutes later, Mark, Peter, and Quinton entered the study. Peter looked tired. The maid had woken him from sleep. He rubbed his eyes as he entered. “My child, couldn't whatever you want to tell us wait until morning?” Alicia smiled faintly. “Grandpa, how can you sleep so early?” Peter laughed. “I'm an old man. I'm allowed to sleep early.” Alicia smiled. “I need your help with something important.” Mark immediately became serious. “What is it, my child?” Alicia looked at him. “Is it about my late grandson?” Alicia shook her head. “No.” She paused. “It is actually something bigger.”

Quinton frowned. “My child, we're already old. Tell us something we can understand.” Alicia looked at all three men. Then she looked at me. I nodded. She took a deep breath. “Our group has had some internal conflicts.” I interrupted. “Actually, the group is divided.” Mark frowned. “What do you mean?” He paused. “Is this because of the Mayor?” Alicia shook her head. “Dad, let me finish.” Quinton waved his hand. “Then tell us quickly.” Alicia nodded. “Father, it's different.” She took a breath. “The death of Laura's father is the real reason.” The three men looked at each other. “Laura wants revenge.” Mark immediately responded. “Who wouldn't?” Alicia gave him a look. “Dad, wait.” She continued. “Laura believes that Hanna targeted her father because Hanna wanted information about us.” Mark nodded. “That is what happened.” “And now Laura wants to target Hanna's father.” The room went silent. Peter stared at Alicia. “You mean Samson?” Alicia nodded. “Yes.” Everyone froze. I explained. “She has declared it a father for a father.” Peter looked at me. “And some of your people agree with her?” I nodded. “Yes.” I paused. “But that's the problem.” “The Gupta family cannot become our enemy.” I looked toward Alicia. “The First Family already has a strong foothold. And Hanna's father is also Alicia's grandfather.” Quinton and Mark exchanged worried looks. Alicia continued. “As the leader of the Lions, I'm being forced to make a decision.” She looked down. “But I honestly don't know what decision to make.” Her voice became quieter. “I can't simply tell Laura to kill my grandfather.” She paused. “Even though he hates me.”

Mark said nothing. Alicia continued. “And I also can't tell Laura to do nothing.” She looked at the three men. “Because we started the Lions because I wanted to avenge my mother and my aunt.” She took a breath. “Laura joined this life because she wanted to help me with that personal vengeance.” Alicia's eyes became emotional. “So now, how can I turn around and tell her that her revenge doesn't matter?” Nobody answered. I stepped forward. “As you all know, we were planning to use the Gupta family to force Hanna out of hiding.” Peter nodded. “But if Laura kills Samson…” I paused. “The Gupta family will seek revenge.” Mark looked at me. “We could end up going there only to be captured or executed for killing one of their family members.” Alicia nodded. “Exactly.” Mark finally spoke. “The situation you're facing isn't easy.” He rubbed his forehead. “I honestly don't know what to tell you.” He looked at Alicia. “I really can't think of something that will solve this without creating another problem.” Peter looked at Alicia. “Laura helped you avenge your mother.” Alicia nodded. “Yes, Grandpa." “She got into this life because she wanted to help you?” “Yes.” Peter continued. “She even killed one of Willy's men that day.” Alicia nodded. “Yes.”

Peter leaned back. “On the other hand, Samson is your grandfather from your mother's family.” Alicia nodded. "You are planning to use the Gupta family to find Hanna.” “Yes.” “And if one of their family members is killed, they will want revenge.” Alicia looked down. “Yes.” Peter sighed. “That's where the problem becomes serious.” Alicia looked at him. “I can't even tell Grandpa Victor about this.” Peter frowned. “Why?” “Because even though Victor and Samson have always fought, they're still brothers.” She paused. “If I tell Victor that Laura wants to kill Samson, I could be starting a war inside the Gupta family.” Peter nodded slowly. “That is true.” Alicia's voice became quieter. “And if I tell Laura to go ahead…” She stopped. Nobody needed her to finish the sentence. She would be allowing one of her own people to murder her grandfather. Peter shook his head. “The situation is very tricky.” He looked at Alicia. “Whatever you decide, there will be heavy consequences.” Alicia gave him a frustrated smile. “Grandpa, that isn't helping me at all.” Peter shrugged. “I told you the truth.”

Mark and Peter both looked toward Quinton. Quinton immediately realized what they were doing. He pointed at himself. “Why are you both looking at me?” Neither answered. Quinton sighed. “This is beyond me.” He looked at Alicia. “I'm sorry, my child.” He paused. “The only thing I've really known all my life is being a gardener for the Wood family and protecting Mike and my wife, Mary.” He looked at me. “All my life, I've worked hard to make sure you were safe.” Then he looked back at Alicia. “This situation is far beyond anything I've ever dealt with. But are you sure there isn't another way besides those two choices?” He paused. “But there is something you need to think about.” Alicia looked at him. “What?” “You can't betray your allies.” Alicia's smile disappeared. Quinton continued. “Look at it this way.” He spoke carefully. “Laura would never have become involved in all of this if it wasn't for you.” Alicia looked down. “Her father faced a danger he didn't even know existed.” She remained silent. Quinton continued. “Laura lost her father because she was connected to you and the Lions.” Alicia finally looked at him. “So what are you saying?” Quinton hesitated. Alicia's expression hardened. “Are you saying I should grant her wish?” She stared at him. “Are you saying I should let Laura kill my grandfather?” Quinton didn't answer. The room became completely silent. Mark looked at Quinton. Peter looked at Alicia. And I stood beside my wife, knowing exactly why she was struggling. Alicia wasn't simply choosing between two people. She was choosing between the woman who had helped her avenge her family and the grandfather she was supposed to protect because he was still family. And whichever decision she made, someone was going to suffer.