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.

headed downtown, hand in

a little bistro with dim lights and soft music playing in the background. I

an appetizer, and talked about anything

where I was meant to be, with exactly the person I was meant to be with. I leaned over, smiling, "So, any plans to take

don't know if I can top Hawaii," he

our own little world. But then, out of the corner of his eye, I saw him

going still as if he'd seen a ghost. "Sarah... look,"

Isabelle was standing

could see she wasn't the put-together

wrinkled, and her

that familiar, uncomfortable feeling creeping back. "Is...

clearly as taken aback as I was. "I don't

had thought her presence was just

looking straight at us with the

leave, to put as much distance between

anything, she started walking toward us, her steps slow and unsure. I felt a twist

desperation in her expression that made my stomach 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

Richard asked, his tone cautious but

I was robbed," she said, her voice cracking. "All my things... my wallet, my ID... gone.

After everything, I wasn't sure I could believe her, even

really sorry to hear that," I started, choosing my

looked at me, and there was a rawness

anyone here. I'm lost. I just need somewhere to stay... just for a night or two, until I can figure things

Richard shift beside me, clearly as taken aback as I was. I

his tone gentle but firm. "This... It's a lot. We've barely just gotten back ourselves, and I think... maybe we