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.

we dressed up and headed downtown, hand in hand, laughing as we shared

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

shared an appetizer, and talked about anything

and I felt that familiar warmth-a feeling of being exactly where I was meant to be, with

"I don't know if I can top Hawaii," he teased. "But I'm always up

out of the corner of his

face going still as if he'd seen

Isabelle was standing across the street, looking right at

a distance, I could see she wasn't

her clothes wrinkled, and her eyes held a frantic

that familiar, uncomfortable feeling creeping back. "Is... is she watching us?" I asked quietly, my voice

I was. "I don't know.

my heart pound. But the last time I had thought her presence was just a coincidence, she had shown up

Hawaii, looking straight at us with

get up and leave, to put as much distance

toward us, her steps slow and unsure. I felt

reached us, she looked even worse up close-her eyes were red, like she hadn't slept in days, and there was a desperation in her expression that made my stomach clench. "Richard... Sarah..." Her voice was shaky, barely above a whisper. She looked between us, and

Isabelle?" Richard asked,

voice cracking. "All my things... my wallet,

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

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

a rawness in her

need somewhere to stay... just for a night or

felt Richard shift beside me, clearly as taken aback as I was. I wanted to help-I really

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