SCARS OF THE HEART Chapter One – The Café on George Street
The morning sun spilled over the streets of Sydney, painting the glass windows in golden hues. Isabella Carter wiped down the counter of Harbor Brews Café, her little kingdom where the smell of roasted beans drowned out the noise of the world. The regulars shuffled in and out—lawyers in crisp suits, uni students clutching laptops, and tired mums with strollers.
For Bella, it was routine. Routine was safe. Safe meant no surprises, no disappointments.
She tucked a loose strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, adjusting the plain apron that covered her jeans and white blouse. She looked normal enough, and she liked it that way. Normal meant no one asked about her past.
"Bella! The machine's hissing again!" Sophie, her best friend and part-time barista, called out from behind the espresso machine. Her blonde curls bounced as she tried—and failed—to tame the rebellious steam wand.
Bella chuckled softly and walked over. "You're supposed to control the machine, Soph, not let it control you."
"Excuse me, this thing is practically a dragon!" Sophie pouted, stepping aside dramatically. "One day, it's going to breathe fire and we'll both be toast."
Before Bella could reply, the café door swung open with a loud thud. A tall man in a navy suit stumbled in, nearly tripping over the welcome mat. A chorus of gasps and muffled laughter rose from the customers.
"Smooth entrance," Sophie muttered, grinning.
The man straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his suit, and glanced around as though the world itself was at fault for his clumsiness. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, his tie loosened like he'd just fought a battle with it. Then his eyes landed on Bella.
And for a second, everything slowed.
Bella froze, caught off guard by the intensity in his gaze—warm, deep brown, as if he were trying to read every secret she had buried. She quickly looked away, focusing on the coffee machine as though it were the most fascinating object on earth.
The stranger cleared his throat. "Uh, long black. Extra shot. Please."
Bella scribbled it down, deliberately avoiding his eyes. "Name?"
"Ethan," he said, lips curving into a crooked grin. "Ethan Walker."
Sophie elbowed Bella in the ribs as she rang up the order. "Tall, clumsy, and hot. You have to marry him," she whispered under her breath.
Bella shot her a look, cheeks burning. She slid Ethan's change across the counter without another word.
Ethan, however, didn't take the hint. As he waited for his coffee, he leaned casually against the counter, studying her with far too much interest.
"So… do you always glare at customers like you're plotting their downfall?" he asked, playful.
Bella blinked, startled. "Excuse me?"
"That look," he said, pointing at her with a teasing smile. "Like I just committed a crime by ordering coffee."
Sophie burst into laughter, nearly choking on her own giggles. "Oh, he's good."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Your coffee will be ready in a minute, Mr. Walker."
Unbothered, Ethan chuckled. "I'll take that as progress. At least you didn't say 'sir.'"
When Sophie finally handed him the steaming cup, Ethan raised it in a mock toast toward Bella. "Until next time, Miss Coffee Assassin."
And just like that, he walked out, leaving Bella stunned—and annoyed at the flutter she felt in her chest.
Sophie leaned over the counter, smirking. "You're blushing."
"I am not," Bella snapped, but her hand flew to her cheek anyway.
For years, she had locked her heart away, convinced love was a luxury she didn't deserve. But something about Ethan Walker felt different. Dangerous, even.
Bella had no idea her life had just shifted...and that her scars were about to be tested by a man who refused to walk away.