The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the heavy drapes of a secluded seaside villa, casting long, golden streaks across the polished wooden floor. A slow rhythm of waves crashed in the distance, mingling with the scent of salt in the air and the faint aroma of sandalwood drifting from her lit candle.
Sarah Fox sat curled up on the wide, rustic windowsill, her legs tucked beneath her in a relaxed pose as the distant ocean called to her. Her ribbed crop top hugged her curves, the embroidered detail over her heart serving as a subtle reminder of the intricate web of emotions she attempted to hide beneath her cool exterior. She absentmindedly twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers, the beachy waves falling messily around her lightly bronzed face. Shell necklaces jingled at her throat, the kind that whispered stories of far-off shores and summer days that stretched into the night.
For most, this villa would’ve been just another cozy refuge, a sanctuary from the chaos of the city. But for Sarah, it carried a deeper meaning—a return to where it all began. A place full of secrets, lies, and heartbreak.
The door creaked gently, snapping her from her thoughts. She turned to find Ethan Cole standing in the doorway, his silhouette just a shadowed outline against the light pouring in from the hallway. His slightly tanned skin and loose linen shirt were a stark contrast to the man she had once known—a man always in a tailored suit and sharp angles, ready to conquer the business world. But here, in this space, he appeared different, more human, as though the air of this bohemian paradise had stripped him of some invisible armor.
“Didn’t think you’d show,” she murmured, running her finger along the beaded necklace draping her collarbones. She kept her voice steady—casual, even—but her pulse quickened in her throat.
Ethan’s eyes flickered from her shell necklace to the embroidered detail on her top, a silent acknowledgment of shared memories. His voice was low, gravelly, barely above a whisper. “Couldn’t stay away… not this time.”
The unspoken tension between them seemed to dance in the cool ocean breeze filtering through the window. Every word unspoken was charged with electricity, humming under the surface, waiting to break free. It was only a matter of time.
“You left without a word five years ago, Ethan,” she said quietly, looking away, her gaze falling on the churning waves outside. “Why are you here now?”
He took a step closer, just past the threshold, his expression a mixture of guilt and longing. “Because I made a mistake—one I’ve been paying for ever since.”
“I can’t promise you anything,” Sarah whispered, her throat tightening. “I’ve moved on… or at least I thought I had.”
Ethan’s hand brushed against the shell necklaces adorning her neck. “Doesn’t feel like you have.”
Their eyes met and the weight of their past surrounded them, anchoring them together in that quiet moment. For a brief moment, the villa felt like its own world—removed from the reality of their lives. A place of peace and turmoil, of unresolved passions.
Suddenly, a cellphone buzzed loudly from the countertop—shattering the fragile bubble. Sarah glanced at the number, her heart sinking.
It was a reminder that despite the villa’s seeming serenity, they weren’t truly alone. Especially not when there were still enemies lurking out there, enemies that knew their history and were determined to tear them apart again.
Because someone had been watching them. Someone knew their past. And someone wasn’t going to let them leave without settling a score first.
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