When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel)

Chapter 107

Sarah

pov.

The rest of our days in Hawaii felt like a breath of fresh air. Isabelle was nowhere in sight, and I finally let myself relax.

It was just the two of us again, enjoying everything this beautiful island had to offer.

We snorkeled, ate more fresh pineapple than I thought possible, and watched the sun dip into the ocean every evening.

My unease from our previous encounters faded slowly, replaced by the warm, comforting feeling that I could finally let my guard down.

This was what I had wanted all along-peace, just Richard and me, without any odd distractions.

As the trip came to an end, I felt a strange relief. Don't get me wrong-I loved Hawaii, every beach and sunset, every little moment we shared here.

But leaving meant leaving Isabelle behind, and I was more than okay with that. I didn't even want to think about her as we packed up, heading back to our daily lives and routines. We had gotten what we came for-a much-needed recharge-and I was eager to take that feeling home with us.

Back at home, things settled into a comforting rhythm. I dove back into work, back into the familiarity of our day-to-day life.

It was nice to fall into routines again, to spend nights cooking together, planning weekends, and dreaming up new places we wanted to visit.

That odd chapter in Hawaii felt like it was slowly slipping into the background, the memory of Isabelle fading like a story I'd once read but barely remembered.

Life was normal again. Peaceful. And I felt safe in that.

One evening, after a busy week, Richard suggested we go out for a nice dinner. It felt like a sweet, thoughtful way to keep the vacation vibe going.

in hand, laughing as we shared stories from our

with dim lights and soft music

wine, shared an appetizer, and talked

exactly where I was meant to be, with exactly the person I

Hawaii," he teased. "But I'm always up

then, out of the corner of his eye, I saw him

our table, his face going still as if he'd seen a ghost. "Sarah...

his gaze, and my heart dropped. Isabelle was standing across the street, looking

could see she wasn't the

hair was messy, her clothes wrinkled, and her

felt a chill run through me, that familiar, uncomfortable feeling creeping back. "Is... is she watching us?" I asked quietly, my voice barely

shook his head, clearly as taken aback as I was. "I don't

I had thought her presence was just a coincidence, she had shown up at our

here, miles from Hawaii, looking straight at us with the

to get up and leave, to put as much distance between

and unsure. I felt a

clench. "Richard... Sarah..." Her voice was shaky, barely above a whisper. She looked between us, and for a moment, I thought she might break down. "I... I didn't know you both would be here." Richard and I exchanged a glance, and I could see the same confusion mirrored in his

Isabelle?" Richard asked, his

was robbed," she said, her voice

everything, I wasn't sure I could believe her, even if she did look

really sorry to hear that," I started, choosing my words carefully. "But

at me, and there was a

I don't know anyone here. I'm lost. I just need somewhere to stay...

me, clearly as taken aback as I was. I wanted to help-I really did-but every instinct was

barely just gotten back ourselves, and