Chloe hadn't been expecting the phone call.

It was late in the afternoon, the sun already beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the town of Charming. Chloe had just finished grading papers at home and was about to start dinner when her phone buzzed on the counter. She saw the name on the screen and sighed.

David.

Her older brother had been quieter than usual lately, ever since the confrontation at Lumpy's. Chloe knew that their family dynamic had been strained by her decisions, and that her relationship with Jax only complicated things further. It didn't help that David had been on edge with his work at the Sheriff's Department, dealing with issues that involved the club.

She picked up the phone, steeling herself for whatever was coming next.

"Hey, David," she said, trying to keep her voice light.

"Chloe," David's voice came through, rough and edged with frustration. "We need to talk. Meet me at Lumpy's. Now."

Her heart dropped into her stomach. She had known this was coming. David didn't call her like this unless something was seriously bothering him. And from the tone of his voice, this wasn't going to be a casual conversation.

"David, what's going on?" Chloe asked, trying to keep the tension out of her voice, but she could feel it creeping in anyway. "Why now?"

"Just meet me," he said firmly before hanging up.

Chloe arrived at Lumpy's ten minutes later, her mind racing with questions she wasn't sure she wanted answers to. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw David sitting at a booth in the back, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His jaw was clenched in that way she knew all too well—when he was angry but trying to contain it.

Her stomach twisted as she walked over to him, taking a seat across from him. She had hoped for a peaceful evening, but now she could feel the storm brewing.

"What's this about, David?" Chloe asked quietly, her voice cautious. She wasn't sure what was coming, but the tension in the air was thick, and she knew it wouldn't be easy.

David didn't answer right away. Instead, he studied her, his gaze searching her face like he was looking for something—some sign that she would finally understand what he had been trying to tell her for weeks.

"I don't know how else to say this, Chloe," he began, his voice tight with frustration. "But I can't sit back and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life. You're walking into a world you don't understand, and I can't stand by and let you do this."

Chloe's heart skipped a beat. She had expected this. But hearing it from him, hearing his disappointment so clearly, made the weight of her decision feel heavier than ever.

"I'm not making a mistake, David," she said firmly, meeting his eyes. "I know what I'm doing. And I know who I'm with. Jax isn't what you think he is."

David's face darkened, and his tone sharpened. "I know exactly what he is, Chloe. He's part of SAMCRO. And that makes him dangerous. You're a Hale, not some girl looking for trouble. This—this is the last thing I wanted for you."

Chloe's pulse quickened, a surge of anger rising in her chest. "I'm not a little girl anymore, David," she shot back, her voice more forceful than she intended. "I don't need you to protect me. I'm not 'looking for trouble.' I'm with Jax because I choose to be. And if you can't understand that, then maybe that's something we need to talk about."

David's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and concern. "I'm not trying to control you, Chloe. I'm trying to protect you. Do you know what happens to people in his world? Do you have any idea what SAMCRO is capable of?" He leaned in closer, his voice low but intense. "You're putting yourself in danger, and I won't sit by and watch that happen."

Chloe's heart thudded in her chest, and for a moment, she felt a wave of doubt wash over her. Was she really making the right choice? Was she really walking into something she didn't fully understand? But then she remembered everything that had led her here—her connection with Jax, the way he made her feel seen and strong in ways she hadn't known she needed.

"I know what SAMCRO is," she said, her voice unwavering now. "But I also know who Jax is. He's not just part of the club. He's a person. He's someone I care about. And I'm not going to let you or anyone else tell me who I can or can't be with."

David's face tightened, and for a moment, Chloe saw something flicker in his eyes. Pain. Frustration. Maybe even a little fear. But it didn't change the fact that he wasn't backing down.

"You're my little sister, Chloe," David said softly, his voice hoarse. "And it's my job to keep you safe. I can't just pretend like everything is fine when I know what's at stake. This isn't just about you and Jax. This is about your future, your safety. I won't stand by and let you ruin everything we've worked for."

Chloe swallowed hard, her chest tightening at the weight of his words. She knew he was coming from a place of love, but it felt suffocating.

"I'm not ruining anything," she said quietly, her voice almost breaking. "I'm living my life. The life I've chosen. And I don't want to fight you, David. But I'm not going to apologize for it."

The silence between them stretched on, thick with unspoken words. Chloe could see the battle in her brother's eyes—the pull between his love for her and his fear for her safety. He was trying to protect her, but in doing so, he was pushing her away.

Finally, David stood up, his frustration evident. "You don't get it, Chloe," he said, his voice low and strained. "You're not just some girl in a relationship. You're the sister of a deputy, and that's something people in this town won't forget. You're walking into dangerous territory, and you're not just putting yourself at risk—you're putting everyone you care about in danger."

Chloe stood up as well, her own emotions rising. "I'm not afraid of what people think, David. I'm not afraid of what you think either. I love you, but this is my life. And I'm not going to let you control it."

David looked at her for a long moment, his face unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

Chloe stood in the empty booth, her heart pounding, her thoughts racing. She hadn't expected it to be easy. But hearing the disappointment in David's voice, feeling the weight of his concern, made it harder than she had imagined. Still, she wasn't backing down. This was her decision, and she was sticking to it.

As the door to the diner closed behind David, Chloe took a deep breath, her hands shaking slightly. She didn't know what was coming next, but one thing was certain—she wasn't going to let anyone, not even her own family, make her question what she wanted.