—Nolan's POV—
The incident from earlier still haunted me.
I kept seeing it — the way he screamed, the way he smiled. That twisted, fleeting smirk like he'd won something. And only I had seen it.
Why?
Why me?
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Are you okay?" Zade's voice cut through the fog in my mind.
We were in the break room. Coffee growing cold between us. His brows were furrowed, genuine concern in his eyes.
"I'm fine," I muttered. "It was just… unexpected."
Zade didn't buy it. "That was more than unexpected, Nolan. He was violent. And the way he stopped — only when you came in…"
I looked away.
"I've been thinking," Zade continued, "why don't we go out tonight? Clear your head. I'll take you to that club you used to like. Remember? Celebration for me being back, and a distraction for you."
I shook my head instantly. "Zade, I got a note. On my bed. No break-in. No prints. Just a flower and a warning. And now that patient… Varek… he—"
"You've been living in fear for years, Nolan," he interrupted gently. "Maybe it's time to stop letting whoever this is control your life."
His words echoed. I hated that he was right.
After a pause, I nodded.
"Fine. Just for a while."
---
That night, the lights of the club were too bright, too loud. I already regretted coming.
Zade got pulled into a crowd — friends who hadn't seen him in months. I told him I'd wait by the bar.
And suddenly, I was alone.
Music thumped in my ears, bodies moved around me, but all I could think about was that cold breath down my spine.
Then... I felt it again.
That same heaviness in the air. Like I couldn't breathe.
That pressure in my chest, like something ancient and unseen had locked its eyes on me.
I turned slowly, scanning the crowd. No sign of him.
Someone approached me. A stranger.
Dark hair, smug smile, too confident, leaning in far too close. "You look lonely," he said. "Want some company?"
I didn't even respond.
He placed his hand on my waist.
And that's when time snapped.
Another hand grabbed his wrist.
In a blink — a fist collided with his jaw.
The man hit the floor.
I stumbled back, shocked.
That's when I saw him.
Varek.
Standing in front of me, like he'd been there the whole time. His eyes didn't even glance at the man he'd just knocked out.
They were locked on me.
Dark.
Furious.
Possessive.
My heart pounded. Not from the chaos — from him.
He moved closer — too close — and leaned in, lips brushing the edge of my ear.
"Did you like the flower?"
"I picked it myself for you."
My blood ran cold.
My knees almost gave out.
It was him.
The note.
The presence.
The eyes I'd felt for years.
It had always been him
I didn't move. Couldn't speak.
Then he pulled back — only slightly — just enough to look me in the eyes.
Face to face now.
Closer than he had any right to be.
His voice was lower this time, almost gentle. But it cut through me like a blade.
"You let people get close to you too easily."
A pause. His eyes searched mine.
"You never obey me."
And then he smiled.
Slow. Twisted. Like he had already won.
He turned and vanished into the crowd.
I just stood there.
The man still lay on the floor, blood dripping from his mouth.
But all I could feel was the tear slipping down my cheek.
I didn't wait for Zade. Didn't look back.
I just left.
I just needed to go home.
To lock the door.
To feel… safe.
Even if it was a lie.