"Bad decisions made with good intentions, are still bad decisions." -James Collins

8 pm. Do not forget. One wrong decision and you'll live with the consequences. -Sandra

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

"Are you okay now?" Gabriel asked when he saw me walking out of the bathroom. I suddenly felt sick after breakfast which is why I quickly rushed to the bathroom to vomit.

"Yeah," I answered before sitting on our bed.

He walked towards me. "Are you sure?" he asked, worry in his tone.

I smiled. "I'm okay, Mr. Lamppost. I shouldn't have drunk the orange juice, I guess," I said before kneeling on the bed and buttoning his dress shirt.

He laughed. I eyed him weirdly. "Why are you laughing?" I asked.

He shook his head. "It's just you look cute."

I felt heat rush into my face. I stopped what I was doing and looked away from him. "Stop flirting with me, Gabriel."

He laughed again. "You called me Mr. Lamppost again after a long time. I missed it so much," he said. "How did you even come up with that before?"

"First insult that came to mind," I answered before continuing to fix his clothes. "And you're tall and fair so you looked like a streetlamp," I added. He glared at me and I laughed.

"I don't want you to call me that anymore," he said.

I placed both my arms on his shoulders. "Well, you should find it cute again because I'll be calling you that every day."

"I prefer love or your baby," he said before placing his arms on my waist.

"Well, my baby, you should love that nickname because you are my Mr. Lamppost, the person who lights up my dark world," I said before kissing his cheek.

I laughed when I saw his face redden. "I caught you off guard there," I teased.

I got startled when he suddenly kissed me. "I caught you off guard there." He smirked.

I rolled my eyes before removing my arms from his shoulders. "You'll be late for work," I said, pushing him lightly.

He laughed before tightening his embrace and burying his face on my neck. "I can't live without you. I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too, my love," I said.

We suddenly heard the door creak open. Both of us looked at the person who opened the door.

"We don't have time for this. Oh, my God," Marina said when she saw us. "We're gonna be late, Dad. The both of you can do whatever you want later," she added.

"Your daughter got your attitude," Gabriel whispered and I scoffed before getting out of his embrace.

I watched him fix himself in the mirror before walking over to the door where Marina was standing.

I heard my phone beep so I immediately checked to see who messaged me. I felt my heart start to race when I read the message.

Just reminding you about our meet-up at 8 pm. Come alone if you want to protect your precious family.

I looked at Marina and Gabriel who were about to go. They waved at me before exiting and while watching them leave, I knew I had to do this. I had to face her for the sake of Marina and Gabriel. This is the only way I could bring back our peace.

I looked at my phone and started to type a reply.

I'll be there. I want you to leave me and my family alone after we're done.

☔︎・☔︎・☔︎

7:45 pm. I sat on our bed and tried to think things through.

Marina and Gabriel haven't gotten home yet which I took as a sign to continue the meetup with Sandra. I don't know how everything will turn out and I'm scared for the possible consequences of me going there but I have to go or else, she will forever torture Marina.

I walked out of the bedroom and proceeded to the living room.

I placed my phone on the couch and sat next to Maxwell to put on my shoes.

"Maxwell baby, wait for your Ate and Dad, okay?" I told Maxwell who is busy playing video games.

"Where are you going, Mom?" he asked while watching me stand to put on my jacket and grab my car keys from the key holder.

"I just have to buy something real quick. Lock the door and don't ever open it for anyone. Your Dad and Ate have a key," I reminded him. He nodded as a response.

I gave him a weak smile before grabbing my phone on the couch and walking to the garage to get my car.

After getting in, I immediately drove to Sandra's agency. My heart was pounding as I got closer and closer. I wanted to turn back but I thought of Marina and Gabriel. This is the only way I could end Marina's misery and Gabriel's guilt.

The whole place was quiet when I got there. What was weird is that even the guards weren't there. I had a very bad feeling but I continued. Even though I was shaking so much, I still managed to ride the elevator going to the rooftop.

I walked over to the bench located on the rooftop and sat there, waiting for Sandra. I looked at the phone I was holding. I closed my eyes when I realized that I brought Maxwell's phone instead of mine.

"So the Lianna Tyler is not a coward anymore," someone said from behind. I stood up and turned around. Sandra was standing near the door.

"Did I say Tyler? Sorry, I meant Winters," she corrected herself. "The last name that should've been mine in the first place," she added.

I sighed. "I'm not here to discuss who should get Gabriel's last name."

"Don't give me that attitude, Lianna. You might regret it," she replied.

"Why did you do it?" I asked. "Why my daughter, Sandra? She did nothing wrong! If you have a problem with me and Gabriel, take it out on us! Why did you have to drag her into this!?" I said, not able to control my tone because of the rage I was feeling.

Sandra laughed. "Now, where's the fun in that?" she asked. "You killed my child so why don't I kill your daughter slowly?" She shrugged.

"You're a monster," I silently muttered. "When will all of this end?" I asked.

She smirked. "When you're dead," she answered.

I held my breath when she suddenly held out a gun and pointed it at me.

"Lianna!" someone exclaimed. My eyes widened when I saw Gabriel. He quickly ran towards me and shielded me from the gun that Sandra was holding.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"What are you doing here?" he asked back.

Sandra laughed. "It feels like I'm watching a romantic movie." She clapped. "Too bad. I wanted an action film," she said before pointing the gun at Gabriel and me again.

"Sandra!" Gabriel called.

"See what you have done, Gabriel. You chose Lianna so it lead to this." She sighed. "How about I let Marina free and kill you..." She pointed the gun at Gabriel. "Lianna..." She pointed the gun at me. "And your upcoming little one," she said, pointing the gun at my tummy.

Gabriel looked at me. "Y-You're pregnant?" he asked.

I nodded as a response. "I found out this afternoon."

He looked back at Sandra and shielded me firmly. He was determined to protect me and our child.

I wanted to protect him as well. He needs to meet our baby and he has to see Marina and Maxwell reach their dreams. I grabbed his phone from his back pocket and started to call the police without making any sound.

"Sandra, please put the gun down. We would do everything," Gabriel begged.

"I begged for you to stay with me too, Gabriel. I will do everything just so you wouldn't leave but what happened?" Sandra countered. "You chose her!"

"Sandra, I'm sorry but I can't lose Lianna. Not again," Gabriel said, his voice breaking a little.

"After everything I have done for you?" Sandra said. She wiped a tear that fell from her eye. "I was there when she wasn't, Gabriel. I helped you fix yourself after the damage she has caused but why did you still go after her? I loved you, Gabriel."

"I love her, Sandra, and I'd rather die than live a life without her in it," Gabriel answered.

Hurt registered in Sandra's face. "No, no." She shook her head. "If I can't have you, then no one can!" she yelled before tightening her hold on the gun, getting ready to pull the trigger.

"Mom!" Xander who just arrived said. 

"No!" I screamed.

Gunshots were then fired. I felt my knees collapse and before everything blacked out, I heard a voice from the phone I was holding, "911, what's your emergency?"