Wealth of hearts

Chapter two

Chloe

By noon, I was barely holding on.

My feet ached, my stomach growled, and my pride was in pieces. After hours of rejection, every “we’re not hiring” felt like another reminder that I was failing my brother.

I sat on a cold bench outside a small café, staring blankly at the busy street, trying to convince myself that maybe tomorrow would be better. Maybe.

Then it happened.

The bag slipped.

I hadn’t noticed the strap fraying, but the moment I stood, it gave way. My bag tumbled, papers flying like desperate birds into the wind. Receipts, a crumpled note, my phone scattered across the pavement.

“No, no, no!” I hissed, lunging for them.

Before I could grab my phone, a hand shot out. Strong, steady, and impossibly fast.

“I’ve got it,” a deep voice said.

I froze, my chest tightening. I looked up and saw him — tall, sharp-featured, eyes dark and assessing, like he was reading me before I even had a chance to speak.

“Thank you,” I whispered, barely trusting my voice.

He didn’t let go. His fingers lingered on mine just a second too long as he handed the phone back. My heartbeat spiked.

“You’re… Chloe, right?” His voice was calm, but there was something in it, an edge, a challenge, a promise.

I blinked. “Uh… yes. And you are?”

“Adam.”

The name felt heavy in the air, like it was already part of my story.

I wanted to turn away, to escape this stranger who was suddenly too close, too compelling. But something in his gaze held me in place. Something that said he wasn’t just passing by. Something that said he’d noticed me when no one else had.

Then, a car horn blared too close. Startled, I stumbled backward, and my papers went flying again. Adam moved faster than I could think reaching out, catching one of the scattered sheets just before it slid under a tire.

“I’ve got you,” he said, voice low, almost a growl.