Before I Found You

The rain hadn’t stopped in three days. It slid down the cracked apartment windows in endless streams, turning the city outside into a blur of gray lights and shadows. Elena Brooks stood barefoot in the tiny kitchen, staring at the overdue bills spread across the counter. Rent. Electricity. Daycare. Her chest tightened. She rubbed a hand over her tired face before reaching for the cheap coffee she’d reheated twice already. “Mommy?” Elena turned immediately. Noah stood in the hallway clutching his blue blanket, his curls messy from sleep and his big brown eyes half closed. “You should be in bed, baby.” “It’s loud.” Thunder rumbled outside as if to prove his point. Her expression softened instantly. “Come here.” He walked into her arms without hesitation, warm and sleepy against her chest. Elena held him tightly, breathing in the scent of baby shampoo and laundry detergent. For a moment, everything else disappeared. The fear. The exhaustion. The constant feeling that life was one step away from collapsing. “Will you stay until I fall asleep?” Noah whispered. “Of course.” She carried him back to the tiny bedroom they shared and tucked the blanket around him carefully. “You promise?” “I promise.” Noah finally closed his eyes, and Elena brushed her fingers through his hair until his breathing slowed. Only then did she quietly stand and walk back into the kitchen. Her phone vibrated against the counter. The sound made her stomach drop instantly. No. Slowly, she looked at the screen. Ryan Calling Her blood ran cold. Every muscle in her body locked up. He hadn’t called in weeks. She’d almost started believing she was safe. The phone kept vibrating. Elena stared at it, panic climbing up her throat. Then it stopped. A second later, a message appeared. I know you’re in Silver Creek. Her breathing hitched. “No…” Her fingers trembled so badly she nearly dropped the phone. How did he find her? She had changed numbers. Moved apartments. Paid cash whenever she could. She had done everything right. Another message appeared. You can run, Elena. But I’ll always find you. A car horn sounded outside, making her jump violently. She rushed to the window and carefully pulled the curtain aside. A taxi. Nothing more. Still, her pulse refused to slow down. Fear lived inside her now. Constant. Breathing. Waiting. And Ryan had put it there. ⸻ Moonlight Café smelled like espresso, vanilla syrup, and wet coats. The evening rush had already started by the time Elena tied her apron around her waist. “Thank God you’re here,” Diane muttered while carrying a tray of dirty dishes past her. “We’re drowning tonight.” Elena gave a tired smile. “When are we not?” Diane snorted. “Fair point.” The café buzzed with conversation and the sound of steaming milk. Outside, rain hammered against the windows while people hurried through the streets with umbrellas tilted against the wind. Elena focused on work. That was how she survived. Keep moving. Keep working. Keep thinking about tomorrow instead of yesterday. “Order for table four!” someone shouted. “I got it.” She grabbed two coffees and turned— —and nearly walked straight into him. “Oh—sorry.” The man stepped back immediately, steadying one of the cups before it spilled. “It was my fault.” His voice was deep. Calm. Smooth enough to send unexpected warmth down her spine. Elena looked up. And forgot how to breathe for a second. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a charcoal coat that probably cost more than her monthly rent. Dark hair streaked slightly with silver at the temples. Sharp jawline. Expensive watch. But it was his eyes that caught her. Blue. Cold at first glance. Yet somehow gentle when they looked at her. “You okay?” he asked quietly. Elena blinked quickly, realizing she had been staring. “Yeah. Sorry.” For some reason, he smiled slightly at that. And God, that smile was dangerous. “You seem exhausted,” he said. She let out a soft laugh before she could stop herself. “Wow. Straight to the flirting, huh?” His smile widened just a little. “Maybe I’m rusty.” Heat rushed into her cheeks unexpectedly. That almost never happened anymore. Men didn’t flirt with her. Not like this. Not carefully. Not like they actually saw her. “Elena!” Diane yelled from across the café. “Table six!” “I should—” “Right,” the man said softly. Neither of them moved immediately. It was strange. Like the entire café had faded into the background for one suspended moment. Then a tiny voice broke the silence. “Mommy?” The man’s gaze shifted downward. Noah stood near the hallway rubbing his sleepy eyes, still wrapped in his little dinosaur blanket. Elena’s heart nearly stopped. She was never supposed to bring him to work, but the babysitter had canceled again. Before she could apologize, Noah looked up at the stranger curiously. “You’re really tall.” A surprised laugh escaped the man. “That’s the first thing you say to people?” Noah nodded seriously. The man crouched slightly to Noah’s level. “Well… you’re very observant.” Elena stared. Most men looked uncomfortable around children. This man didn’t. Not even a little. Something strange twisted inside her chest. Something warm. Dangerous. The man stood again, his eyes finding hers one more time. “What’s your name?” she asked quietly before she could stop herself. For a second, he looked surprised by the question. Then he answered. “Alexander.”