The house was quiet in the early afternoon, the kind of quiet that made even small sounds feel intrusive.
I was in the sitting room, pretending to read while the sea breeze slipped in through the open windows, carrying the faint scent of salt and sunlight. My thoughts drifted lazily—back to the morning ride, to Nathan’s laugh when I’d nearly lost my balance, to how easy everything felt when I wasn’t thinking too hard.
My phone rang.
Addie’s name flashed across the screen.
My chest tightened immediately.
She never called unless something was wrong.
“Addie?” I answered. “What’s going on?”
There was a pause on the other end, just long enough to set my nerves on edge.
“He’s back,” she said.
The air seemed to leave my lungs all at once.
“… Back?” I repeated, already knowing who she me
