30

ELEONOR.

ELENONR

She formed an ""o"" with her mouth and looked at me, very surprised, shedding another tear.

""Are you saying he might have killed him?"" she asked me. I felt her pain and her concern, similar to mine.

Before I could answer, Dad made his entrance into the room, briefcase in hand, dressed in a suit, and with his imposing lawyer's face.

""Dear,"" he gave my mother a half-hug and immediately approached me and Mrs. Lucia.

""Pleased to meet you, my name is Benjamin, and I'm Eleonor's father. I will handle Ever's case; I'm a lawyer, and I assure you that your son won't go to jail. Please calm down,"" Dad addressed Lucia very suddenly.

She looked at him, surprised, drying her tears, and squeezed my father's hand.

""Lucia,"" she introduced herself. ""Do you promise me he won't go to jail, even if the man dies?"" she asked my father.

""I assure you, Mrs. Lucia. Now, if you'll allow me, I'll go talk to the officers. Please calm down,"" my father was a very imposing man. A mastermind, owner of a highly recognized law firm in New York. He charged a high price, but he almost always won his legal cases.

Mom was about to speak, but she didn't have time to utter a word before Dad disappeared.

""Your father is very good, Eleonor,"" Lucia looked at me with pity in her eyes.

""I'm surprised he's acting this way,"" Mom muttered under her breath.

""Mom..."" I whispered, glaring at her.

""Every boxer must face the consequences,"" she threw her venom.

""Is she your mother, Eleonor?"" Lucia asked me after looking at her.

I nodded, ashamed.

""First of all, it's a pleasure to meet you. Second, don't forget that your son is also a boxer, ma'am. And of course, there are consequences. Everything in life has them. But don't be ignorant. My son defended Eleonor from a potential kidnapper, and he won't be punished for that. Now, let me handle things, and please, try to stay calm,"" Dad's voice was authoritative, and he left no room for further discussion.

Lucia looked at me, still concerned, but with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Mom, on the other hand, crossed her arms and looked away, clearly displeased with the turn of events.

After what felt like an eternity, Dad emerged from the police station office, followed by a police officer. He approached us with a confident stride.

""Good news, Mrs. Lucia. They've decided not to press charges against Ever. It seems there's evidence supporting his claim of self-defense, and the other guy has a criminal record. I told you, your son won't go to jail,"" Dad informed her, and Lucia's eyes filled with relief and gratitude.

""Oh, thank you, Mr. Benjamin! I can't thank you enough,"" Lucia embraced my father, and he patted her back.

""It's my job, Mrs. Lucia. I'm just glad I could help. Now, let's go get Ever released,"" Dad suggested.

As we walked back to the police station, I felt a mixture of emotions—relief, gratitude, and a touch of triumph. Mom, however, remained silent, seemingly not pleased with the outcome.

When we reached the station, Dad handled the legal procedures, and after some time, Ever was released. He walked out, still looking a bit bruised but with a determined and grateful expression on his face.

""Thank you, Mr. Benjamin,"" Ever shook my father's hand.

""Call me Benjamin. And take good care of Eleonor,"" Dad replied with a firm nod.

We left the police station, and as we walked towards the parking lot, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my father's expertise in handling the situation. Mom, however, still wore a displeased expression, as if she couldn't accept the reality that Ever had been released without charges.

The car ride back home was tense, and when we finally arrived, Ever thanked my father again and bid us farewell. Lucia hugged me tightly, expressing her gratitude once more, and left with Ever.

As the door closed behind them, I turned to face my mother, who still wore a disapproving look.

""Mom, Ever saved me. He protected me from danger. I love him, and I won't apologize for that,"" I said firmly, trying to make her understand.

She sighed, looking at me with a mix of frustration and disappointment.

""Eleonor, you're making a big mistake. You're blinded by emotions and can't see the consequences of being with someone like him. One day, you'll regret your choices,"" she warned before walking away, leaving me standing there, torn between my love for Ever and my strained relationship with my mother." "My father pulled my mother away, and they exited the room, leaving Lucia and me alone. I felt a mix of embarrassment, anger, and frustration.

""I'm sorry you had to witness that, Mrs. Lucia,"" I said, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

""No need to apologize, Eleonor. People like your mother can be challenging to deal with. Let's focus on getting Ever out of this mess,"" Lucia reassured me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

""Thank you for understanding. I appreciate your support,"" I replied, grateful for her presence.

A short while later, my father returned, looking stern and determined.

""I've spoken to the officers, and we're making arrangements for Ever's release. They've decided not to press charges, given the circumstances. We'll need to pay bail, but it's a small price to pay for his freedom,"" my father informed us.

""Thank you so much, Mr. Benjamin. I can't express how grateful I am for your help,"" Lucia said, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and gratitude.

""It's my pleasure, Mrs. Lucia. I'm just glad I could assist. Let's proceed with the necessary steps to secure Ever's release,"" my father replied, leading the way.

As we navigated the legal processes, I couldn't shake off the tension and anxiety. The fear of losing Ever to the consequences of that night lingered, but I tried to focus on the support I had from Lucia and my father.

Finally, the moment arrived when Ever was released from custody. He emerged from the police station, and a mix of emotions washed over me—relief, joy, and a sense of victory against the odds.

""Eleonor,"" Ever approached me, his eyes reflecting gratitude and love.

I threw my arms around him, embracing him tightly. The weight of the situation seemed to lift, if only for a moment.

""Thank you, Ever. Thank you for saving me,"" I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.

""Always, Eleonor. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you,"" he replied, his arms holding me close.

We left the police station, hand in hand, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. My father and Lucia accompanied us, providing the support we needed in those trying moments.

As we stepped into the outside world, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. Our love had weathered a storm, and we emerged stronger than ever. Little did we know that this experience would shape our relationship in ways we hadn't anticipated, leaving us with scars but also a deeper understanding of the power of love and resilience. Together, we faced the consequences of that fateful night, hand in hand, ready to embrace whatever the future held for us.