A dull ache pounded in Anna's skull as she slowly drifted back to consciousness. Her body felt heavy, drained, but the warmth surrounding her was unfamiliar—steady, safe.
Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, confusion clouded her mind. The dim glow of her bedside lamp cast a soft light over the room, and the scent of fresh cologne filled her nose. She shifted slightly, realizing she wasn't alone.
Alex.
He sat against the headboard, his arm still wrapped around her as if shielding her from the world outside. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but his grip was steady, anchoring.
"You're awake," he murmured, his voice low but sharp with concern.
The events of the night crashed into her like a tidal wave—the knocks, the letter, the voice she never wanted to hear again.
Her breath hitched.
Alex must have sensed it because his hold on her tightened. "You're safe."
Safe. The word felt foreign, like it didn't belong to her anymore. Every shadow in the room felt like a threat, every sound outside made her heart race. She swallowed hard, gripping the fabric of Alex's shirt without thinking.
"You shouldn't stay here," he said after a moment, his tone firmer. "It's not safe."
She knew he was right. The apartment, once her sanctuary, now felt like a trap. But the thought of leaving, of being alone somewhere unfamiliar, sent a chill through her.
She took a shaky breath. "Stay."
Alex stiffened slightly. She could feel his hesitation, but she didn't have it in her to take it back.
"Just for tonight," she added quickly. "I don't want to be alone."
He exhaled sharply, then nodded. "Alright. I'll stay."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Anna bit her lip, knowing she couldn't keep running from this. Alex had seen too much—he deserved to know the truth. And for the first time in years, she didn't want to carry it alone.
She took another deep breath, forcing the words out before she lost the courage.
"He was my ex."
Alex's body went rigid. His grip on her arm loosened slightly, as if he needed a second to process what she had just said. "Your ex?"
She nodded, her fingers curling into fists against her lap. "We dated three years ago. At first, everything was… okay. But then he started changing."
Alex didn't say anything, but the sharpness in his gaze told her he was listening.
Anna swallowed hard. "He became hostile. Toxic. He'd accuse me of cheating over the smallest things. If I didn't answer his calls fast enough, if I talked to someone he didn't approve of… he always thought I was doing something behind his back."
Alex's jaw clenched, but he stayed silent, letting her continue.
"It got worse." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "He started following me, showing up unannounced. At first, I thought it was just possessiveness, but then he started harassing me. Cornering me when I tried to leave, grabbing my wrist too tight, yelling at me in public." She exhaled shakily, her throat tightening. "One night, he showed up outside my apartment and refused to leave. That's when I finally reported him to the police."
Alex's grip on her tightened slightly at that. "They arrested him?"
She nodded. "He was sentenced. I thought it was over." Her breath wavered as she finally said the words that had been haunting her. "But his time was up. He was released."
Alex swore under his breath. His fingers twitched against her arm like he was restraining himself from doing something reckless.
"He's back for revenge," she finished, her voice barely audible. "And I don't know what he's capable of anymore."
The weight of her confession settled between them. The room felt colder, heavier.
Alex's voice, when he finally spoke, was low and controlled, but there was an unmistakable edge of fury beneath it. "He's not coming near you again."
Anna hesitated, looking up at him. "Alex—"
"I mean it." His grip tightened protectively. "You're not dealing with this alone anymore."
A lump formed in her throat. For years, she had handled everything alone, convincing herself she had no other choice. But now, with Alex sitting there, his gaze burning with an unspoken promise, she felt something she hadn't in a long time.
Hope.
Her body, exhausted from the night's events, felt heavier as her eyelids started to droop. She let out a slow breath, her grip on his shirt loosening slightly.
Alex adjusted his hold, his arm still secure around her. He watched her for a long moment, his fingers moving absentmindedly through her hair. His usual sharp, unreadable expression softened as he looked at her.
"I didn't know," he murmured, barely above a whisper. "I didn't know you'd been through so much… and I was being too hard on you."
His voice held something unspoken—regret, guilt.
Anna's eyes fluttered open briefly, meeting his gaze. There was no mockery, no irritation like before. Just quiet, solemn understanding.
She didn't have the energy to respond, but she didn't need to. The warmth of his touch, the steady movement of his fingers through her hair, and the way his voice softened were enough.
For the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't fighting alone.
As her breathing evened out and sleep pulled her under, Alex stayed awake, watching her.
His jaw was tight, his mind racing, but his hand never stopped moving gently through her hair.
He wouldn't let her face this alone.
Not anymore.
The Next Morning
A faint glow filtered through the curtains, casting warm streaks of morning light across the room.
Anna stirred, warmth surrounding her from all sides. She shifted slightly, her mind still groggy from sleep, but something solid pressed against her back.
Her breath hitched.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Alex.
He was lying beside her, his arm resting lightly across her waist. His breathing was slow and steady, his usual sharp features softened in sleep.
For a moment, she just stared.
Last night came rushing back—the fear, the confession, the way he had stayed. The way he had held her like she was something fragile yet important.
Her chest tightened.
She had never expected this. Never expected him to stay.
And yet, he had.
Anna let out a slow breath, her heart thudding softly against her ribs.
She wasn't alone.
Not anymore.