Chapter Three
489 Words
The Man Who Came Looking
The rain began before sunrise.
Lila stood behind the café counter, wiping tables while soft music played in the background.
Business was slow.
Only a few customers had come in.
She was grateful for the peace.
Until the bell above the door rang.
A tall man in a dark coat stepped inside.
He wasn't from Riverside.
Lila could tell immediately.
The way he scanned the room wasn't normal.
He wasn't looking for coffee.
He was looking for someone.
His eyes landed on her.
For a split second, her heart stopped.
The man walked to the counter.
"Good morning," he said politely.
"What can I get you?" Lila asked.
"A black coffee."
The order reminded her of Ethan.
But unlike Ethan, this man didn't smile.
He looked dangerous.
As she prepared the coffee, she noticed him studying her face.
Almost like he was comparing her to something.
Or someone.
"You new in town?" she asked casually.
"Just passing through."
Lila didn't believe him.
Not for a second.
He accepted the coffee and sat near the window.
Then he made a phone call.
Lila pretended not to listen.
"Yes," the man said quietly.
"I found the town."
A chill ran through her body.
Found the town?
"The girl is here somewhere."
The cup in Lila's hand nearly slipped.
Her breathing became uneven.
There was only one girl people had spent years searching for.
Her.
The missing Hart heiress.
Lila quickly looked away before he noticed her reaction.
No.
It couldn't be.
Maybe he was talking about someone else.
But deep down, she knew the truth.
Someone had finally found Riverside.
And they were getting closer.
That afternoon, Ethan Cross entered the café.
The moment he walked in, he noticed something was wrong.
Lila looked pale.
Distracted.
Afraid.
"What's happened?" he asked.
She frowned.
"Nothing."
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine."
Lila sighed.
Why did he always notice things?
"I said I'm okay."
Ethan stared at her.
For once, he didn't argue.
Instead, he sat at the counter.
Minutes passed in silence.
Then he pushed a cup toward her.
Hot chocolate.
Lila blinked.
"I didn't order this."
"You looked like you needed it."
She couldn't stop the small smile that appeared.
"Are you always this annoying?"
"Only around you."
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, the world seemed to disappear.
Neither looked away.
Neither spoke.
Then the café door suddenly opened.
The mysterious man from earlier stepped inside.
Lila's smile vanished instantly.
The stranger's eyes locked onto hers.
Recognition flashed across his face.
He knew.
Or at least he suspected.
Ethan noticed the fear in Lila's expression.
And for the first time, he realized something serious was happening.
Something she wasn't telling him.
Something that could change everything.
Outside, thunder echoed across Riverside.
And the secrets Lila had hidden for years were finally beginning to catch up with her.
- Writer
