Never Just Friends

Finn’s Suspicions

The dim glow of the setting sun filtered through Hanna’s bedroom window as she sat on her bed, her laptop open with the paused video still on the screen. Across from her, Finn leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his face shadowed with worry.

“You’re sure this is legitimate?” Finn asked, his voice tight with skepticism as he watched the screen.

“It has to be,” Hanna said, though doubt gnawed at the edge of her certainty. “Why else would someone send it to Elordi? They obviously want us to use it against Ciara.”

Finn frowned, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. “That’s exactly what worries me. You don’t know who sent it. You don’t know their motives. For all you know, this could be another trap.”

Hanna sighed, closing the laptop. “I’ve thought about that, Finn. I really have. But this is the first solid evidence we’ve gotten that could completely discredit Ciara. It’s the best shot we have at ending this.”

Finn pushed off the wall, pacing the room in slow, deliberate steps. “It just feels… messy. Dangerous. You’re trusting a video from some anonymous source that came through Elordi, of all people. You don’t see how risky that is?”

“I know it’s risky!” Hanna snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. “But what choice do I have? Ciara’s not going to stop. She’s already dragged you into this, and she’s threatening everyone I care about. What else am I supposed to do?”

Finn stopped pacing, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “Hanna, I get it. I know how much you’ve been through, how much you’ve sacrificed. I just… I don’t want you to get hurt. And I don’t trust Elordi, or whoever’s pulling the strings here.”

Hanna’s shoulders sagged, her anger dissipating as quickly as it had flared. She knew Finn was right. There were too many unknowns, too many variables that could backfire. But she couldn’t let Ciara win. Not again.

“I’ll be careful,” she said softly, meeting Finn’s gaze. “I promise.”

Finn sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Just… don’t let Elordi drag you into something you can’t get out of. He’s not exactly the most reliable ally.”

“I know,” Hanna said, though unease settled in her chest at Finn’s words. Elordi was unpredictable, and while he had been helpful so far, she couldn’t ignore the possibility that he had his own agenda.

Finn stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. “I’m with you in this, Hanna. But if things start to spiral, we need to pull back. Agreed?”

Hanna nodded, the warmth of his touch grounding her. “Agreed.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their situation hanging heavy in the air. Finn pulled her into a gentle embrace, his voice a soft murmur against her hair. “We’ll get through this. Together.”

Hanna clung to him, drawing strength from his presence. But even as she found comfort in his arms, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered a warning: This fight is far from over.

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