LOST IN THE RAIN

THE QUIET BETWEEN HEARTBEATS

The walk back to Ethan’s apartment felt longer than usual.

Not because of the distance — but because neither of them spoke.

Sofia’s mind replayed the alley like a broken video: the man’s voice, the way he’d looked at her, and the ice in his tone when he said we’ll see.

When they finally reached the apartment, Ethan shut the door and leaned against it, his hand pressed to the wood like he was keeping something out.

“You’re shaking,” Sofia said.

His eyes met hers. “So are you.”

She hadn’t realized it until he said it, but her hands were trembling. She stuffed them into the pockets of her hoodie, trying to hide it. “You didn’t answer me before. Who was he?”

Ethan moved to the kitchen counter, opened a cupboard, then closed it again without taking anything. “He’s someone I’ve been avoiding for a long time. And I had good reason.”

“That’s not an answer.”

He turned, leaning back against the counter. “Some truths are better left alone.”

Sofia stepped closer, her voice softer. “But if those truths are dangerous… don’t I deserve to know?”

For a moment, he looked like he might tell her. His jaw tightened, his lips parted—then he looked away. “Not tonight.”

Silence filled the room. Not an awkward silence, but the kind that’s heavy, like it’s carrying something unspoken.

Sofia crossed to the couch and sat, curling her legs beneath her. “Do you trust me?”

His head lifted slightly. “You know I do.”

“Then trust me enough to let me in.”

Ethan walked over and sat beside her. Not too close, but close enough that she could feel the warmth coming off him. “Letting you in… means putting you in danger. And I’d rather be the one who takes that risk, not you.”

“But I’m already in it,” she said, looking straight at him. “I was in it the second I met you.”

His gaze held hers for a long moment, searching, like he was trying to read her soul. Then he let out a slow breath and reached up, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face.

“You’re stubborn,” he murmured.

She smiled faintly. “So I’ve been told.”

They stayed like that for a heartbeat too long — her looking at him, him looking at her — before he pulled back and stood. “You should rest. Tomorrow, we decide what happens next.”

But as Sofia lay awake later that night, staring at the ceiling, she knew one thing for sure.

Whatever “next” was… it wasn’t going to be safe.