Chapter 23: Beginning of problems

Sean returned later that evening, the sound of his keys jingling faintly before the door opened. I was lying on the couch, curled up with a blanket, when he walked in. The sight of him always made me feel safe, but tonight, there was something different about his expression it was alert, almost on edge. He set the medicine bag down on the coffee table and exhaled.

“Here,” he said softly, kneeling beside me. “Take these before your fever gets worse.”

I sat up, accepting the pills and a glass of water. “Thank you,” I murmured, watching his face closely. “You look worried. Did something happen?”

He hesitated. “Nothing serious. I just… saw some people while I was out. It felt strange.”

“Who?” I asked, frowning.

“Nancy,” he replied after a pause. “She was with Sylvia, David, and... ” he looked me in the eyes, “Michael.”

I blinked, startled. “Michael? Are you sure?”

Sean nodded, his jaw tightening. “They were having coffee together like old friends. Laughing. Acting like they’ve known each other for years.”

“That’s… odd,” I whispered. “I thought Nancy barely knew anyone outside your office.”

“Exactly,” Sean said. “Something’s off about all of them..”

I tried to make sense of it, but my head was pounding. “Maybe it’s a coincidence.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he placed a gentle hand on my forehead and whispered, “Lie down. Please. You need to rest.”

I nodded, lying back on the couch as he brushed his lips across my forehead, a gesture so tender it nearly brought tears to my eyes. He moved to his laptop at the dining table, opened it, and began typing while occasionally glancing at me. His presence was grounding, even when the room fell silent except for the tapping of his keys.

Every few minutes, he’d look over and ask, “Are you okay? Need anything?”

“I’m fine,” I’d answer, smiling faintly.

He stood up once, came over, and began rubbing my feet softly, as if trying to ease away the tension. His touch was warm, soothing, the kind that made me want to drift to sleep right there.

“Sean,” I said quietly after a while, “you’re too good to me.”

He chuckled softly. “I’m just doing what a man should do for the woman he loves.”

I smiled weakly.

“I love you so much,” he said, looking straight into my eyes.

For a few minutes, the air felt light again. But then, his expression shifted, a flicker of something heavy crossing his face. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked toward the window.

“Sean?” I asked. “What is it?”

He stood and walked closer to the glass, pushing the curtain aside. “That silhouette again,” he muttered.

I followed his gaze. Across the street, in the building opposite mine, there was a figure standing by the window, motionless, watching. The dim light behind it only emphasized the outline of its shoulders and face.

“Maybe it’s someone who lives there,” I said quickly, trying to sound calm. “People like to look out sometimes.”

“No,” Sean said firmly. “That’s the same figure from last night. Same posture, same height. It’s not normal.”

He grabbed his phone and snapped a quick photo before turning to me. “I don’t like this, Rose.”

I swallowed hard. “Maybe I should close the curtains.”

“Do that,” he said, watching the figure one last time before I pulled the drapes shut. He turned back to me, his eyes dark with concern. “We’re not staying here another night.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean we’re moving,” Sean said. “Tomorrow morning. You’ll pack your essentials. I’ll have someone come for the rest. I’m not risking you being watched like this.”

“No,” he cut in gently but firmly. “I’ve seen too much today. Nancy and Michael together? That man out there? It’s too much to ignore.”

I hesitated, wrapping the blanket tighter around myself. “Do you think it’s a stalker?”

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “But I’ll find out. Until then, we’re staying at my place where there’s proper security.”

I sighed softly. He came over, crouching down so his face was level with mine. “I know, sweetheart. But your safety comes first.”

I nodded reluctantly. “Okay.”

He smiled faintly and brushed his thumb over my cheek. “Good girl.” Then he stood and stretched. “I’ll call the leasing agent in the morning. We’ll make it official.”

The hours passed quietly after that. He kept working on his laptop, occasionally checking on me, while I half-watched the flickering TV. Around ten, I noticed he’d been staring at his screen without typing. His jaw was tight again.

“What’s wrong?” I asked softly.

“Work stuff,” he said. “There’s something about an overseas client, delays, excuses. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

The tenderness in his voice made my heart flutter. I leaned in, pressing my lips against his cheek. He turned his head slightly, and our lips met — a slow, soft kiss that deepened before either of us could stop it.

When we finally pulled apart, he smiled. “Get some rest. I’ll keep watch.”

I wanted to protest, but I could see the determination in his eyes. So, I lay down, curling up with the blanket again. Sean dimmed the lights and sat by the window, the glow from his laptop outlining his face.

Half-asleep, I murmured, “Do you really think that person’s watching us?”

“I don’t think,” he said quietly. “I know.”

Something in his tone made my skin prickle. I shut my eyes, trying to convince myself it was all coincidence. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake the image of that shadowed figure, unmoving, patient, almost expectant.

An hour later, I stirred awake and glanced toward the curtains. Sean was still there, focused on his screen.

“You’re not sleeping?” I whispered.

“Not yet,” he said. “Go back to sleep, baby.”

I drifted off again to the soft hum of his laptop fan, comforted by his voice but haunted by the thought that, somewhere across the street, someone might still be watching.

The night passed uneasily.

By morning, Sean was already dressed, on the phone arranging the move. Boxes were stacked neatly by the door, and he handed me a cup of coffee with that protective look he always wore when he’d made up his mind.

“Finish packing,” he said. “The driver will be here in an hour. We’re leaving this place behind for good.”

I looked toward the window one last time, wondering if the silhouette was still there, but Sean stopped me.

“Don’t look,” he said. “Just trust me.”