In the days that followed, Lena and Jace avoided each other as much as possible. The kiss had changed everything, and neither of them knew how to move forward. Clara, still blissfully unaware of the growing tension, continued to go about her days as if nothing had changed, but Lena knew that it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.
Lena found herself at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take. She could continue to deny her feelings for Jace, to bury them deep inside and pretend that they didn't matter. Or she could risk everything—her family, her relationship with Clara, and the fragile peace they had built—to be with him.
But no matter which choice she made, someone would get hurt.
As Lena stood at her bedroom window, staring out at the night sky, she realized that love wasn't as simple as she had once believed. It was messy, complicated, and sometimes it hurt more than it healed.
But maybe, just maybe, it was worth the risk.
And with that thought, Lena knew that her decision was already made.