It's rainy saturday afternoon, and the atmosphere is comfortable. Stella and Elijiah sit close together on the couch, laughter echoing as they share stories about their childhood.

Their chemistry is undeniable, so fool in love without any care in the world, but an undercurrent of tension looms in the air, knowing that their relationship must remain secret.

Suddenly, the front door swings open, and Stella's parents, Helen and Fernando, enter, their faces etched with worry.

Her mother is exasperated "We need to talk." She said as her parents sat down.

Startled, Stella and Ejiliah quickly separate, a guilty look passing between them. They both stand as Helen and Fernando approach, sensing the gravity of the moment.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Her mother is sternly, her voice trembling with both anger and concern "What's going on between you and Elijiah? Your father and I aren't blind. We've seen how close you've been."

Stella stands frozen, her heart racing. She gulped. she knows the secret will come out. Her parents have been suspicious for weeks, and now, they've cornered them.

Fernando's expression darkens, his voice stern as he addresses Stella directly.

Stella hesitant, her voice barely a whisper "Mom, Dad... I need you to understand. Mark and I... we love each other."

Her mother's face pales, and her father clenches his fists, trying to keep control.

"Love each other? He's your cousin, Mia! This is wrong! What were you thinking?" Her mother was furious.

Helen — her mother rises from her chair, pacing back and forth, her eyes filled with a mixture of disbelief and disappointment.

Her mother pleadingly looked at her "Mia, this isn't right. You know this can't happen. It's... it's not normal. People will talk, and it will tear our family apart!"

Stella, on the verge of tears, steps forward, her voice breaking.

Stella plead desperately "I don't care what people think! I love him. We didn't plan this, it just... happened. Pleasee... I need you to accept it."

His father slammed his fist on the table "No, Mia. This is not a choice. This ends now. I won't let you ruin your life over something so... so shameful."

Stella's eyes fill with tears. She feels suffocated, trapped. She knows her parents will never understand. Her hands shake as she makes a decision in that moment.

Stella's heart sinks, panic rising in her chest as she looks at Elijiah, whose face reflects the same fear.

Elijiah step forward, trying to ease the tension. Elijiah took her hand and embrace her.

"We... We love each other! It's.. it's not like we chose this!" Elijiah said defensively with the hint of stuttering.

Her mother shake her head "This isn't just about love! It's about family, reputation, and the consequences of your actions."

Her father crosses his arms, his voice cold.

"We cannot allow this relationship to continue. It's inappropriate and goes against everything we stand for." He said strictly and with finality.

Stella feels her world crumbling around her. The thought of losing Elijiah is unbearable. She turns to him, her eyes pleading.

Stella shooked her head and desperately said "You don't understand! We're meant to be together!"

Her hand is shaking. Nag papasalamat nalang siya at rational pa ang kanyang magulang, dahil hindi sila pinag bubuhatan nang kamay.

But they can't understand.

"We can figure this out. Maybe we can talk to the family and find a way to make it work." Elijiah said calmly.

Helen's expression hardens.

"No! This is not negotiable. You need to end this."

Mia's eyes fill with tears. She feels suffocated, trapped and overwhelmed. Her emotions spiral out of control. She knows her parents will never understand. Her hands shake as she makes a decision in that moment.

"I can't believe you'd do this to me! If you can't accept us, then I'll leave."

Her mother gasps, and her father shakes his head. Before anyone can respond, Mia storms out of the house, grabbing her jacket as she runs down the street, leaving Elijiah standing helplessly behind.

Helen and Fernando watch in shock as their daughter disappears into the distance.

ELIJIAH is pacing in his apartment, anxious after Mia left their house without telling him where she was going. Stella had stormed out hours ago, angry and determined after revealing her relationship with Elijiah, her cousin.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Where are you!

Meanwhile, The sound of rain hitting the windows creates a cold, uneasy atmosphere in the Harper's living room. Helen sits on the couch, staring at her phone, waiting for a message from Stella. Fernando stands by the window, looking out into the storm, his hands in his pockets, deeply troubled.

"It's been hours... where could she be? We shouldn't have let her go like that." She asked her husband nervously.

Her voice is filled with regret her husband sighs deeply, shaking his head.

"She was so angry. We tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. I didn't think she'd actually leave... in this weather." He said.

The tension in the air is thick with guilt. The doorbell rings suddenly, shattering the silence. Helen jumps, her heart pounding as she rushes to the door. Outside, Elijiah stands, soaked from the rain, his face pale and worried.

"Is Mia here?" Elijiah asked panicked and out of breath.

She shakes her head, confusion crossing her face.

"No, she hasn't come home yet ." She answered worriedly.

Elijiah steps inside, running his hands through his wet hair, visibly agitated.

Elijiah voice tremblend "I've been calling her for hours. I was hoping she came home."

The worry intensifies. The fear in Elijiah's voice sends a chill through Helen. Just then, the house phone rings, piercing through the tension like a knife. Fernando, who had been silently watching from the side, picks up the phone.

He picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

There's a pause, and his expression changes. His face goes pale, and his eyes widen with shock. He grips the phone tightly as he listens to the voice on the other end.

His voice cracking "What... what do you mean she was in an accident?"

The room freezes. Helen gasps, rushing to her husband's side, her heart sinking.

Helen asked desperately "What happened?"

Fernando covers the mouthpiece, his voice barely a whisper.

"It's the hospital. Mia's been in an accident... a car hit her."

eyes widen, and he stumbles backward, his face drained of color.

"No... no, that can't be right. Where is she? How bad is it?" He asked horsely and disbelieving.. hoping it's all a bad dream

Fernando quickly asks the hospital for more details, his voice trembling. After a brief, tense exchange, he hangs up the phone, his hands shaking.

His yes filled with dread "They said... she's in critical condition. We need to get to the hospital right now."