Elise Harper's breath caught in her throat as Julian's question hung in the air, heavy as the Lumora night pressing around them. What are you running from, Elise? The words echoed in her mind, stirring the raw ache of Liam's text: I miss you. She stood by the pond in Crestwood Park, her sketchbook clutched against her chest, the faint glow of stars reflecting on the water like a promise she wasn't sure she could trust. Julian sat beside her on the bench, his telescope case at his feet, his dark eyes searching hers with a quiet intensity that made her feel both seen and exposed.
"No," she said quickly, answering his earlier question about missing Liam. Her voice trembled, betraying her. "I mean… I don't think so. I miss who I thought he was. But that's not the same thing, is it?"
Julian's expression softened, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "No," he said, his voice low, almost lost in the rustle of leaves. "It's not."
The park was a haven in the heart of Lumora, its winding paths and ancient oaks a stark contrast to the city's neon pulse. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows across Julian's face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the sadness lingering in his eyes. Elise wanted to ask more about his sister, about the notebook he guarded so fiercely, but the weight of her own confession held her back. She'd already let him see too much—her sketch, her pain. Opening up further felt like stepping off a cliff.
Instead, she shifted, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "What about you?" she asked, her tone lighter but her curiosity real. "You said you're running from guilt. What's in that notebook that's so important?"
Julian's hand twitched toward his satchel, a reflex he quickly checked. "It's… complicated," he said, his voice tight. "Anna used to draw the stars, make up stories about them. After she died, I started writing them down. Things she said, things I wish I'd said back. It's all I have left of her."
Elise's heart clenched, the rawness in his voice cutting through her defenses. She knew that kind of loss—not the same, but close enough. The kind that left you grasping for pieces of someone who was gone. "That sounds beautiful," she said softly. "And heavy."
He nodded, his gaze dropping to the pond. "It is. Sometimes I think if I keep looking at the stars, I'll find her up there. Stupid, right?"
"Not stupid," Elise said, surprising herself with the conviction in her voice. "It's… human. I paint to hold onto things, too. Moments, feelings. Things I'm afraid I'll lose."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world shrank to just them—the park, the stars, the quiet hum of something growing between them. Elise's pulse raced, her fingers itching to reach for him, to bridge the gap. But before she could move, a rustle in the bushes nearby snapped her back to reality.
She turned, her heart lurching. A figure stepped onto the path, the lamplight catching his blond hair and familiar, disarming smile. Liam. He wore a leather jacket, his hands in his pockets, looking every bit the confident photographer she'd once loved. But now, his presence felt like a storm cloud rolling in, dark and unpredictable.
"Elise," he said, his voice smooth but edged with something she couldn't place. "Didn't expect to find you here. Small world, huh?"
Her stomach twisted, the warmth of Julian's presence replaced by a chill. "Liam," she said, her tone flat. "What are you doing here?"
He shrugged, stepping closer, his eyes flicking to Julian with a glint of amusement. "Just out for a walk. Saw you and thought I'd say hi. You didn't reply to my text."
Elise's grip on her sketchbook tightened, her mind racing. The park was big—too big for this to be a coincidence. Had he followed her? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "I've been busy," she said. "And I'm not really in the mood for a chat."
Liam's smile didn't waver, but his eyes narrowed slightly, a predator sizing up his prey. "Come on, Elise. We were good together. I messed up, sure, but I've changed. I want to make things right."
Julian stood, his posture calm but his eyes sharp. "She said she's not interested," he said, his voice low and firm. "Maybe you should respect that."
Liam's gaze shifted to Julian, his smile turning cold. "And you are… her bodyguard? Or something more?"
"Julian," he said simply, stepping closer to Elise. "A friend."
The air crackled with tension, the park's quiet beauty suddenly feeling like a stage for something darker. Elise's heart pounded, caught between Julian's steady presence and Liam's unsettling confidence. She wanted to tell Liam to leave, to erase him from her life, but the words stuck in her throat, tangled with old memories and new fears.
"Liam, just go," she said finally, her voice stronger than she felt. "We're done. You know that."
Liam held her gaze, his smile fading into something harder, almost calculating. "We'll see," he said, his tone light but laced with a promise that made her skin crawl. He turned, disappearing into the shadows of the path, leaving an eerie silence in his wake.
Elise exhaled, her hands shaking. Julian touched her arm gently, his warmth grounding her. "You okay?" he asked, his voice soft but urgent.
"Yeah," she lied, her eyes still fixed on the spot where Liam had vanished. "I just… didn't expect him to show up like that."
Julian frowned, glancing down the path. "That didn't feel like a coincidence. Do you think he's following you?"
The question hit her like a punch. She hadn't wanted to admit it, but Liam's sudden appearances—at the gallery, now here—felt too convenient. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's not… dangerous, I don't think. Just persistent."
Julian's jaw tightened, but he didn't push. Instead, he picked up his telescope case, slinging it over his shoulder. "Come on," he said. "Let's get you home. I don't like the idea of you walking alone right now."
Elise nodded, grateful for his presence but unsettled by the encounter. As they left the park, the city's neon lights felt harsher, the stars above dimmer. She stole a glance at Julian, his face set in quiet determination, and felt a flicker of something new—trust, maybe, or hope. But Liam's words echoed in her mind, a shadow she couldn't shake.
When they reached her apartment, Julian hesitated at the door, his eyes searching hers. "If he bothers you again, tell me," he said. "I mean it, Elise. You don't have to deal with him alone."
Her throat tightened, his sincerity unraveling her defenses. "Thanks," she said softly. "For… everything tonight."
He smiled, a small, genuine smile that warmed her despite the chill. "Anytime. Maybe next time we'll actually look at the stars."
She laughed, the sound surprising her. "Deal. But you're bringing the telescope."
As he left, Elise locked the door, her heart still racing. She sank onto her couch, her sketchbook falling open to the pond drawing she'd started. But her eyes drifted to her phone, where Liam's text still glowed, unanswered. A new message had arrived, from the same number: You can't run forever, Elise. We need to talk.
Her breath hitched, fear and anger warring inside her. She wanted to believe in Julian, in the fragile connection they were building, but Liam's shadow loomed larger now, threatening to pull her back into the past. Could she find the courage to trust Julian, or would Liam's persistence shatter the starlight she was just beginning to see?
Will Elise confront Liam's unsettling pursuit, or will his shadow keep her from trusting Julian's heart?