Shadows of the Past
Audrey woke to the soft glow of sunlight spilling across her room. The peacefulness of Rosewood felt like a balm on her heart, but there was a faint unease she couldn't shake.
Mrs. Edith bustled into the kitchen with breakfast. "Good morning, dear. Remember, life here is slow. Take it one day at a time."
Audrey smiled softly, nibbling at the warm toast. She thought of Alex and how safe he made her feel. Her chest tightened slightly at the thought, but she quickly shook it off. He was just a friend… right?
Later, Audrey decided to run a few errands in town. Before she could step out, Alex appeared at her doorstep.
"You really think you're going alone?" he asked, frowning slightly.
"I—well, I thought—" Audrey stammered, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
"Come on," Alex said lightly, slipping an arm around her shoulders. "We'll go together. I just don't like leaving people alone who shouldn't be."
As they walked, Alex's eyes constantly scanned the streets and alleys. He noticed small details Audrey overlooked—a car parked too long on a side street, a shadow flitting behind a shop window. Whenever Audrey glanced at him, he smiled lightly, as if nothing were wrong, but his shoulders tensed slightly whenever they passed a deserted alley.
Despite the subtle tension, small moments of laughter and teasing emerged.
"Stop staring at that alley like it's hiding monsters," Audrey teased.
Alex grinned. "Maybe it is. Maybe it's hiding someone trying to steal my favorite person."
Audrey rolled her eyes but felt her heart flutter. When their hands brushed accidentally, warmth spread through her chest. Why does he make ordinary walks feel… extraordinary?
As they continued through the streets, Alex slowed near a narrow alley, tilting his head as if listening for something Audrey couldn't hear.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, a little nervous.
Alex smiled lightly, though his eyes were sharp and alert. "Yeah… just making sure these streets are as peaceful as they look. You never know what's hiding in the shadows."
He gestured for her to walk closer, creating a protective space between her and the street. Audrey felt warmth in her chest, mixed with curiosity. He's always so… watchful. Why does it feel like he's protecting me from more than just empty streets?
Meanwhile, back in Ashford, Alison had been following Brian's obsession closely. She knew he was planning to track Audrey to Rosewood and feared what he might do.
"Brian, wait!" Alison shouted, catching him before he left with notes and directions. "You don't understand—this is dangerous! Audrey isn't yours to find. Leave her alone!"
Brian's expression twisted with anger. "She thinks she can just run away? She can't escape me, Alison. I'll make sure of it."
Alison's hands trembled as she stepped in front of him. "No, you don't get it! If you go after her, you'll ruin everything—and you might not come back!"
For a moment, Brian hesitated. Alison's plea struck a chord somewhere deep in him, but his obsession overpowered caution. His jaw clenched, and with a final glare, he stormed out, ignoring her warnings. Alison sank to the couch, worried. She realized she had no choice but to try to intervene from afar, hoping her influence could slow him down before he reached Rosewood.
As the sun dipped below the rooftops, Audrey returned to Mrs. Edith's house. She felt a subtle chill, a faint sensation of being watched. A torn piece of paper lay near the gate, and the distant echo of footsteps faded too quickly to be imagined.
Alex noticed immediately. His eyes narrowed. "You okay?" he asked softly.
"I… I think someone was following me," Audrey admitted, a shiver running down her spine.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, firm and reassuring. "Tonight, you're not going anywhere alone. I'll make sure of it."
Audrey felt a warmth in her chest she had never experienced before. Alex's vigilance was more than kindness—there was an intensity to it that hinted at something he had been protecting her from long before she knew it.
Audrey climbed the stairs to her room, the safety of Mrs. Edith's home comforting her. She thought about Alex, about how he made her laugh, and how her chest felt lighter in his presence.
Yet a whisper of unease lingered. Someone from her past was coming—someone who would disrupt the peace she had just found.
Alex stayed nearby, silently watching over her. His jaw tightened as he muttered under his breath, No one is going to hurt her—not while I'm here.
Audrey smiled faintly, unaware that the man she trusted was keeping a dangerous secret, a secret that would soon collide with her past in a way
that could change everything.