Breaking Hearts

An Unexpected Morning

Savannah woke slowly.

For several seconds, she didn't know where she was.

The unfamiliar ceiling above her made her sit up, and then everything from the night before came rushing back.

The club.

Ethan.

The argument.

Running through unfamiliar streets.

Calling Brian.

She closed her eyes and pressed a hand against her forehead.

What had she been thinking?

Calling a man she barely knew in the middle of the night had been completely out of character for her.

And yet, somehow, she had trusted him enough to do it.

She looked around the room.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, illuminating the clean, modern space around her. The inn was far nicer than anything she would normally choose for herself. Nothing about it was overly extravagant, but everything looked carefully chosen. The furniture was sleek, the bedding was soft, and even the smallest details seemed expensive without trying to prove it.

Savannah slipped out of bed.

She had slept better than she expected.

Maybe because, for the first time since leaving Ethan, she had felt safe.

She walked toward the window and looked outside.

The parking area below was quiet.

No sign of Ethan.

Her shoulders relaxed.

She had spent half the night worrying that he might somehow find her.

She still couldn't believe the person who had driven her home after countless late shifts could have become someone she barely recognized.

A knock sounded at the door.

Savannah froze.

Another knock followed.

She hesitated before walking over and looking through the peephole.

A woman stood outside.

She looked immaculate.

Her dark hair was neatly pulled back, her clothes were perfectly pressed, and a phone was held in one hand while the other rested calmly against the handle of a large bag.

Savannah opened the door slightly.

"Can I help you?"

The woman gave her a professional smile.

"Good morning. Are you Savannah Lewis?"

"Yes."

"My name is Claire Woods. I'm here on behalf of Mr. Lakewood."

Savannah blinked.

"Brian?"

"Yes."

Claire lifted the large bag slightly.

"He asked me to make sure you had everything you needed this morning."

Savannah opened the door a little wider.

"Everything?"

Claire nodded.

"There are some clothes, toiletries, and a few other necessities."

She handed Savannah the bag.

Savannah accepted it hesitantly.

It was heavier than she expected.

She looked inside.

Then stared.

The fabric alone looked expensive.

Savannah immediately looked back at Claire.

"I can't take these."

"Mr. Lakewood anticipated that."

That answer made Savannah frown.

"He did?"

Claire nodded.

"He asked me to tell you that they're simply things you may need while you're away from home. Nothing more."

Savannah looked down at the clothes again.

She didn't like the feeling of accepting expensive things from someone she barely knew.

"I really don't need all this."

Claire's expression remained polite.

"You also have breakfast."

She pointed toward another bag.

Savannah looked over.

Her stomach betrayed her with a quiet growl.

Claire pretended not to notice.

Savannah sighed.

"Okay. The breakfast I'll accept."

A faint smile touched Claire's lips.

"Good."

Savannah looked back at the clothes.

"And maybe... some of these."

"Whatever you're comfortable with."

There was something almost reassuring about Claire's calm manner.

She didn't push.

She didn't question.

She simply delivered what Brian had asked her to deliver.

Savannah glanced toward the hallway.

"Is Brian here?"

"No."

Something about the answer disappointed her before she could stop it.

She quickly pushed the thought away.

"He's still working?"

"Yes."

Claire checked the phone in her hand.

"He has several meetings today."

Of course he did.

Savannah wondered again what exactly Brian did.

He had described himself as managing a construction project.

Yet he apparently had an assistant who brought people expensive clothes and organized everything around him with remarkable efficiency.

There was clearly more to him than he had told her.

Claire seemed to notice the question in her expression.

"There is also a car waiting downstairs."

Savannah frowned.

"A car?"

"Mr. Lakewood instructed me to arrange transportation for you."

"I can manage."

"I know."

Claire's tone remained polite.

"But he specifically asked that you not leave alone."

Savannah stared at her.

"Because of last night?"

Claire didn't answer directly.

"He simply wants to make sure you get home safely."

Savannah hesitated.

Part of her wanted to refuse.

She didn't want to feel as though she owed Brian anything.

But another part of her knew that wandering around town alone wasn't exactly the smartest idea after everything that had happened.

"Fine," she said reluctantly. "I'll take the car."

"Very well."

Claire nodded.

"I'll see you downstairs when you're ready."

Savannah paused.

"Wait."

Claire turned.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Claire gave her a small smile.

"You're welcome."

She started to walk away, then stopped.

"One more thing."

Savannah looked at her.

"Mr. Lakewood asked me to make sure you understood that you don't owe him anything."

Savannah's eyebrows lifted.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

Claire gave a small nod.

"Have a good morning, Miss Lewis."

Then she walked away.

Savannah closed the door slowly.

She stood there for several seconds.

Her eyes moved from the door to the bags sitting on the table.

She didn't know what to make of Brian Lakewood.

He was confusing.

Mysterious.

And increasingly difficult to fit into the picture she had created of him.

She carried the breakfast toward the small table and sat down.

She opened the bag and was surprised to find a neatly packed breakfast inside.

Pancakes.

Eggs.

Sausages.

And a cup of coffee.

She took her first sip, and her thoughts wandered back to the previous night.

Brian hadn't demanded anything.

He hadn't asked intrusive questions.

He hadn't made her feel foolish for being frightened.

He had simply shown up.

And now, apparently, he had gone even further to make sure she was okay.

Savannah frowned.

"Why?"

She whispered the question to an empty room.

She had no answer.

After breakfast, she showered and changed into one of the outfits Claire had brought.

The clothes fit perfectly.

Almost suspiciously perfectly.

Savannah stared at herself in the mirror.

She looked... different.

More polished.

More confident.

She shook her head.

"This is ridiculous."

She wasn't going to start imagining things.

Brian had helped her.

That was all.

She had a life waiting for her in the city.

A career.

A future.

She needed to focus on that.

She packed her belongings and prepared to leave.

Before stepping outside, she glanced once more at the room.

For some reason, she knew she would remember this place.

Not because of the room itself.

Because of the strange night that had brought her here.

And because of the man who had answered the phone when she had nowhere else to turn.

Savannah picked up her handbag.

Her fingers brushed against the smooth black card still tucked safely inside.

She paused.

Then pushed it deeper into the bag.

She wasn't going to call him.

Not today.

She had already depended on Brian enough.

It was time to start taking care of herself again.

At least...

That was what she told herself as she walked out of the room.