Chapter 6 Tangled hearts

"Ella, you're shaking. What's wrong?"

Liam's voice was soft, but there was worry in it. He stood at the doorway to her small office. His gray-blue eyes looked straight into hers.

Ella sat at her desk. She was holding the photo. Her fingers shook. Her eyes were tired, with dark circles under them. Her chestnut brown hair was messy. She didn't sleep much last night.

"Look," she whispered. She held the photo up. Her hands trembled.

Liam stepped inside and shut the door. He looked calm, but she saw his jaw tighten. His dark suit was perfect, and his scent was sandalwood, warm and strong.

"Let me see it," he said gently.

She passed him the photo. His fingers touched hers. They were warm. Her stomach fluttered, but fear was still stronger.

He stared at the photo. It was a clear picture. It showed them sitting in his car the previous night. Someone had taken it from outside.

"This was taken last night," he said, frowning. "I'll find out who did this."

Ella nodded slowly. "Someone was at my door last night too. They knocked, but when I looked, no one was there,it was really scary,it just feels like my life isn't private anymore."

Liam looked at her face. His voice became serious. "You should have called me."

She looked down. "I didn't want to bother you."

"Ella, you're never a bother. You need to feel safe, I don't really know what they want,but i promise to find out whoever is behind all these"

His words were kind. Her chest warmed. But the dream from last night still clung to her.

She looked up at him. "Why us? What do they want?"

Liam shook his head. "I don't know. But I promise, I won't let anything happen to you."

His voice was firm. It felt like a promise. Her fear eased a little.

Work that day was slow. Ella typed on her computer, but her mind wasn't on the screen. She kept thinking about the photo, the knock, and the strange dreams. And Ava. Ava hadn't texted all morning.

At lunch, Ella walked into the hallway near the break room. She stopped. Liam was there, laughing. He was talking to a man she hadn't seen before. The man was tall and looked kind. He had warm brown eyes and a charming smile. He clapped Liam on the shoulder. Liam looked happy, lighter than usual.

Ella felt a strange twist in her chest. Was she jealous? She shook her head. No, she was just confused.

Later, Liam called her into his office. When she walked in, the man was there too.

"Ella, this is Marcus, my cousin," Liam said. His voice was friendly.

Marcus smiled and held out his hand. "Heard a lot about you. You're the one keeping Liam's projects on track."

Ella shook his hand. It was warm and strong. She blushed a little.

"He exaggerates," she said softly.

Marcus grinned. "Nah, I can tell you're good. Liam's not easy to work with, but since he's comfortable working with you then you must be really good."

Liam laughed. "Hey. I'm not that bad."

They all smiled. For a moment, things felt normal.

But then Marcus leaned close to Liam and said in a quiet voice, "Be careful. Aunt Victoria is asking questions."

Ella heard it. Her body stiffened. Aunt Victoria?. That was Liam's mother.

That night, Liam offered to drive her home again. She agreed, after being hesitant for a while

In the car, they didn't talk at first. The city lights passed by outside the window.

Then Liam spoke, his voice low. "My mother , I don't know if i should say this, but... She wants me to marry someone rich. Someone with power."

He gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"That's unfair," Ella said. Her voice was gentle.

"She thinks love is a weakness. She wants to control everything."

Ella looked at him. His eyes were on the road, but she saw pain in them.

"I understand," she said. "I have dreams that feel like warnings. Like I'm trapped. Like I can't escape what's coming."

Liam turned to look at her. His eyes were warm.

"You're stronger than you think, Ella."

Her cheeks turned red. Her heart beat faster.

When they reached her apartment, Liam got out and walked her to the door.

Their hands brushed.

Ella looked up at him. She wanted to kiss him. The air between them was full of something heavy and warm, she couldn't stop staring at his handsome face, she didn't know when it started but she's now totally into him, but she's the lady here, she didn't want to make the first move on him, she wasn't even sure he felt the same.

She stepped back. "Goodnight," she whispered.

"Goodnight," he said, his voice low.

She stepped inside and closed the door.

Inside her apartment, Ella dropped her bag on the couch. She sighed. The day was long.

Then she saw it. Another note. It was on the floor, just under the door.

She picked it up. Her hands trembled.

It read: You're not safe with him.

Her eyes widened. The handwriting... It looked like Ava's. She had seen Ava's notes many times.

Her heart raced. Why would Ava write this? Was she trying to help? Or was she the one causing all this?

She sat down slowly. Her hands were cold. Her whole body felt heavy.

Late at night, Ella sat on her couch. The TV was on, but the sound was low. Her mind kept racing.

Then, she heard it.

A creak.

Her head turned toward the door.

She held her breath.

There was a shadow under the door.

Someone was standing there.

Waiting.

Then came the knock. Slow. Heavy.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Her body froze.

A man's voice came from the other side.

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

Ella backed away from the door, her breath quick. She clutched the note in one hand, the photo in the other.

The shadow didn't move.

And the voice came again.

"Ella, I know you're in there."

She stepped back farther, toward her bedroom.

The knock came again.

She didn't move.

The room felt like it was closing in.

And the chapter ended with her heart racing, the shadow still waiting outside her door