falling for you again

a sense of unease. Walking away from Max's apartment, the weight of that text message lingered in her

e had never felt this drawn to someone before, especially after a single night. There had been a fire between them, undeniable and intense, but wha

surprised her. But now, walking alone with that message

talk. It'

o had sent the text? What could be so important? And why had it appe

th Max and the growing tension from the unknown message. Could it be David? They hadn't spoken in weeks since she ended their toxic

pond, to get answers. But the more cautious part of her hesitated. Whoever had sent this wasn't jus

buzzed again. Her heart leapt into her

atchi

nstinctively, scanning the faces of strangers as they passed by. The crowded street seemed suddenly unfa

.. they were cl

nto the crowd. The warmth and safety of Max's embrace from earlier seemed miles away now, replaced by

eeded

_____________

to steady herself. Her mind raced through her options. She could call the police, but what would she tell them? A few

sn't alone

ing. But they had only just met. Was it too soon to involve him in this mess? Could she trust him with something like

eemed to stare back at her with a sinister undertone. She couldn't let this fear contr

't powerless

th, Lily tapped ou

? I need to

nds, her ph

Is everyt

ted before

ain when

steady, grounded. Despite her fears, the memory of his arms around her

_____________

a small café tucked away from the main streets. She hadn't told him eve

ncern, and Lily's heart fluttered. He had this way of making her feel like e

inst hers was both comforting and intoxicating. For a moment, the fear she had carrie

to look at her. His eyes, dark and searching,

came out as more of a grim

clearly unconvinced.

ing out her phone and showing him the messages. His express

he asked, his voic

, her voice barely above a wh

able, taking her hand in his, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. The simple gesture sen

is voice filled with quiet determination.

whatever this was, didn't want to burden him with her problems when they were just starting to build some

you in danger," Lily

tle tighter. "You're not putting me in dange

e, Lily felt a flicker of hope. She wasn't al

hone buzzed again. Her blood ran co

ldn't tr

ing around her phone as panic surged through her vei

nd racing. How could they know? And mo

noticed the shift in her expression immediate

ded him her phone again. The weight of the new messag

a barely contained fury. "Whoever this is, they're not going to sc

ing fear inside her. The words on the screen

ldn't tr