Chapter 5 Shadows of intent

"Ella, get in the car," Liam said.

His voice was tight. Not loud, but sharp. He had one hand on her arm. His grip was firm but not painful.

Ella stood outside the office building. The broken window was behind her, glass still scattered on the ground. The cold night wind blew against her face. City lights blinked in the distance.

But Ella didn't look at the lights. She looked into the shadows.

Nothing was there.

But she had heard it.

Her name. Whispered.

"Ella."

Her heart raced. Her fingers trembled. She held her coat tight around her. It was thin. The cold felt like it was reaching inside her skin.

"Now," Liam said again. He opened the car door for her.

She looked at him. His face was serious. Strong jaw, gray-blue eyes. He didn't smile. But he looked at her like he needed her to be safe.

She climbed in. The leather seat was cool. Liam walked around and got into the driver's seat. The car started. It was quiet inside.

Liam drove fast. His hands were tight on the wheel. His jaw was clenched.

Ella looked at him. "What happened back there?" she asked. Her voice was soft.

He didn't answer right away. "Probably a storm," he said finally. But his voice didn't sound sure.

Ella reached into her coat pocket. The note was still there. I know what happened.

She didn't show it to him. Not yet.

"I'm taking you home," Liam said. His voice had changed. It was softer now. Protective.

Ella didn't speak. Her chest felt tight. Warm, too. She was scared. But also confused. Why did he care so much?

***

At her apartment, Liam parked the car. He got out and walked her to the door.

Ella looked up at him. He was tall. His coat moved slightly in the wind. He smelled like sandalwood and something warm.

"Lock your door," Liam said. He looked right into her eyes. "Call me if anything feels wrong. I mean it."

Ella nodded. Her throat felt dry. She couldn't speak.

He stood there for a moment longer, then turned and left.

She closed the door. Locked it. Then checked it again.

She dropped onto her couch. Her body felt heavy. Her thoughts were racing.

She pulled out her phone and called Ava.

"Hey," Ava said. "What's up?"

"Did you write that note?" Ella asked. Her voice was sharp.

"What note?" Ava laughed. It was too loud. Too fake. "You're being paranoid, Ella. I didn't write anything."

"But it looked like your handwriting," Ella said.

"You're stressed. You've been working too much." Ava's voice was cold now. "Come out tomorrow. You need to stop with this drama."

Ella didn't answer. She hung up.

Her fingers trembled. Ava's laugh didn't sound like her. It sounded like a stranger.

That night, Ella dreamed again.

She wore a white wedding dress. It was heavy. Full of lace. It pulled her down.

She was crying. Her face was wet with tears.

Liam stood in front of her. He looked sad. Like he was leaving.

Then she heard a voice. A woman's voice.

"He's not yours."

The voice was sharp. Cruel.

It sounded like Ava.

Ella woke up gasping. Her heart was beating fast. She sat up in bed, sweating. The clock read 3:00 a.m.

The apartment was silent. Too silent.

She said a short prayer and went back to bed.

The next morning, she went to work.

Liam was already there.

He brought her coffee. "You okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Thanks."

He smiled. "You're a natural at this, Ella. You work fast. And you pay attention."

Her cheeks turned pink. She looked down at her desk. "Thanks," she said quietly.

He sat beside her. He didn't say much. But when she looked at him, he was watching her.

he asked her, "What do you like to do outside work?"

Ella hesitated. "I... I have dreams," she said. "Sometimes they feel real. Like... they show the future."

She was ready for him to laugh.

But he didn't.

Liam leaned in. His eyes serious. "Like what kind of dreams?"

Ella felt her heart race. "Just things. I saw someone once before they got into an accident. I told them to be careful. The next day, they slipped on the stairs. Hurt their arm."

Liam didn't laugh. He nodded slowly. "That's... interesting."

She looked at him. "You believe me?"

"I've seen stranger things," he said quietly.

After work, Ella walked outside.

Ava was there. Leaning against a post.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You've been spending a lot of time with Liam," she said.

Ella blinked. "So?"

"He's trouble," Ava said. Her voice was sharp. "You don't know him like I do."

Ava's smile faded. "Just be careful."

Ella stepped back. Something about Ava felt... off. Like she was angry. Or jealous.

That night, Ella came home late.

She locked the door. Set her bag down. Walked to her kitchen.

Then she saw it.

A photo on the floor.

She picked it up. Her hands started to shake.

It was a picture of her and Liam. Sitting in his car. Last night.

Someone had taken it from outside.

Her breath caught.

She ran to the door. Locked it again.

Then checked the windows.

Her chest felt like it would explode.

Someone was watching her.

She didn't sleep. She couldn't.

Every creak, every sound made her sit up.

At 2:45 a.m., she drifted off.

Then the dream came again.

She was at the altar. White dress. Crying.

Liam stood before her.

But this time, someone else was there.

Ava.

She stood in the shadows. Her eyes full of hate.

She leaned in and whispered, "He's not yours."

Ella's scream echoed in the dream...

And she woke up, heart racing.

The next morning, Liam noticed.

"You didn't sleep," he said gently.

Ella shook her head.

"I got this," he said, pointing to the reports. "Take a break."

Ella blinked. "Really?"

He nodded. "You've done enough. Go breathe."

She walked outside. The air was cold. But it helped.

Later, Liam found her in the break room.

"I meant what I said yesterday," he told her. "You're not like the others."

Ella looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I've worked with a lot of people," he said. "They talk. They pretend. You don't."

She swallowed. "Thanks."

He stepped closer. "If there's something you need to tell me... anything. You can."

Ella opened her mouth. But she didn't say it. Not yet.

Not the note. Not the photo.

Not the dreams.

That evening, she stayed late. Liam walked her to her car.

Just before she left, he touched her arm.

"Be safe," he said.

Back home, she checked the mail. Nothing strange.

But when she got to her door-

She saw it.

A second photo.

This time, it was of her sleeping.

In her bed.

Last night.

The curtains had been open.

Someone had taken it from outside.

Her breath hitched. Her hands shook.

She ran inside. Slammed the door. Locked it.

The photo fell to the floor.

She stared at it.

Then-

Knock.

Slow. Heavy.

Her heart stopped.

Then another knock.

She didn't move.

"Ella."

A man's voice. Deep. Calm.

"Open up, Ella. We need to talk."

Ella backed away from the door.

She clutched the photo in her hand.

Her eyes were wide with fear.

The voice called again.

"Ella..."

She didn't know if it was Liam.

Or someone else.

But something in her gut told her-

This was not good.

Not safe.

Not normal.