The early morning sun bathed the room in a soft glow as Olivia slowly stirred awake. The events of the previous night lingered at the edges of her mind, but for a moment, she found peace in the sight of Ethan, lying beside her. His strong arms were wrapped around her, his breathing deep and steady, but even in sleep, his face was etched with worry and stress.
Olivia frowned, her heart aching for him. She ran her fingers through his hair, feeling the softness under her touch. She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, whispering softly, "I'm so sorry you have to go through all this."
Carefully, Olivia slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake him. She went to refresh herself, hoping the routine would clear her mind. When she returned to the bedroom, the sight of the empty bed sent a jolt of fear through her chest. Ethan wasn't there.
Her mind immediately flashed back to the terrifying events of the day before. Her breathing quickened, and she could feel her heartbeat thundering in her ears. Panic gripped her, and she crumbled into a corner of the room, her hands trembling as she tried to calm herself down.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she pulled out her phone and called Ethan. The sound of his phone ringing inside the room made her heart stop. Her eyes darted around the room, fear suffocating her. Where was he? Why would he leave without his phone?
Her thoughts raced, spiraling into a terrifying loop. She couldn't shake the fear that something had happened to him again, that maybe he was taken away from her, just as she had been the night before.
Taking several deep breaths, Olivia forced herself to stand. She walked toward the door, hoping to find some sign of Ethan outside. But he wasn't there. Her heart was pounding harder than ever as she returned to the room, locking the door behind her. She sat on the edge of the bed, feeling lost, waiting.
A knock on the door made her freeze. Her breath caught in her throat, and she stared at the door, her body frozen in fear.
"Liv, it's me. Open the door," Ethan's voice called from the other side, soothing and familiar.
Without hesitation, she rushed to the door, threw it open, and collapsed into his arms, hugging him as tightly as she could. Her body shook with relief as she buried her face in his chest. "I thought—" she started, her voice breaking, but she couldn't finish the sentence.
Ethan hushed her gently, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "I'm here, Liv. I'm right here. I woke up and heard the water running in the bathroom, so I went to order us breakfast. I didn't want to disturb you."
Olivia pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. She saw the worry etched in them, his concern for her overwhelming. She exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the remnants of her panic. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "We can have breakfast where it was planned. I'm alright."
Ethan studied her face, his eyes searching for any sign that she wasn't ready. "Are you sure, Liv? We can stay here, just the two of us."
Olivia managed a small smile and locked her arm through his. "I'm sure. As long as I have you by my side, I'm okay."
He smiled softly, though the worry hadn't completely faded from his face. Together, they left the room, and Olivia put on a brave face as they walked down to the beach, the bright sun warming her skin. She wore a delicate salmon-colored lingerie beneath a sunset-yellow summer dress that hugged her in all the right places. The gentle breeze ruffled her hair as they walked, and for the first time in a while, she felt a sense of calm returning to her.
The beachfront dining area was serene and beautifully set. Ethan, ever the gentleman, made sure Olivia was comfortable every step of the way. He kept glancing at her, his gaze full of love and concern, but Olivia reassured him with a smile. "I'm fine, Ethan," she said softly. "All I need is you."
Their breakfast was quiet, but comforting. The rhythmic sound of the waves and the fresh sea breeze worked wonders to soothe Olivia's nerves. Every now and then, Ethan would reach for her hand, as if making sure she was still there beside him, safe and sound. And every time, she squeezed his hand, silently telling him that she was alright.
After breakfast, they took a long walk along the shore. The feeling of the soft sand beneath her feet and the water lapping at her ankles helped Olivia shed the remaining traces of fear from the night before. She leaned into Ethan as they walked, feeling his steady presence next to her. With every step, the weight of the past few days began to lift.
For the first time since the ordeal, she felt normal again, as if she could finally breathe without the shadow of fear looming over her. Ethan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as they walked in silence. The beauty of the beach, the simplicity of the moment, and the quiet strength of the man beside her—it was all she needed.
As they stopped to watch the sunset, Olivia leaned her head on Ethan's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?" he asked, his voice soft.
"For always being there," she replied. "For keeping me safe."
Ethan turned to her and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I always will be, Liv. Always."
And in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the beach and the warmth of Ethan's love, Olivia knew that no matter what life threw at them, they would face it together.