The days in the quiet beach town passed by in a peaceful blur for Mia and Adrian. The gentle rhythm of the ocean waves, the soft sand beneath their feet, and the warmth of each other's company created a sense of calm that Mia hadn't felt in years. It was exactly what they needed—a fresh start, a space where they could let go of the past and enjoy their present.
But paradise, it seemed, was not without its complications.
It was a late afternoon, the sun beginning to dip into the horizon, casting a fiery glow across the sky. Mia and Adrian were sitting at a beachfront café, enjoying the last rays of sunlight with glasses of chilled wine in their hands. The conversation was light, filled with laughter and easy jokes. Mia felt as if they had never been more connected.
But as they spoke, Mia couldn't help but notice the woman who walked past their table—a striking woman in a flowy white dress, her long hair catching the breeze. She was stunning, with sharp features and an air of confidence that seemed almost out of place in this quiet, laid-back town. What stood out the most, however, was the way the woman glanced at Adrian as she passed. It was subtle, but Mia noticed it.
Adrian didn't see it, of course—he was too busy talking about something trivial, a memory from a few years ago that had them both laughing. But Mia couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She took a sip of her wine, trying to focus on his words, but her eyes kept drifting back to the woman.
It wasn't until later that evening, after they had taken a walk along the beach, that Mia's suspicions were confirmed.
As they were returning to their cottage, they ran into the same woman from earlier, who was sitting outside a small boutique just down the street. Her eyes immediately locked onto Adrian's, and a small, knowing smile tugged at her lips.
Mia felt an odd knot form in her stomach. She didn't know why, but she didn't like the way the woman was looking at Adrian.
"Adrian," the woman said smoothly, standing up from her chair and walking toward them. Her voice was sultry, almost too smooth, like honey dripping from her lips. "It's been such a long time."
Mia froze, her hand instinctively tightening around Adrian's arm. Adrian looked taken aback for a moment, clearly trying to place the woman's face.
"Oh, um…" Adrian's brows furrowed in recognition. "Sophie, right?"
Sophie's smile widened, and she reached out to give Adrian a quick, warm hug. "It's so good to see you," she said, her voice lingering in the air. "I didn't know you were in town."
Adrian glanced at Mia, a slightly uncomfortable look flashing across his face, before turning back to Sophie. "Yeah, just for a little getaway. This is Mia," he said, gently introducing them.
Mia extended her hand, trying to remain composed, though her instincts were screaming at her. Sophie's gaze flickered briefly to Mia before she shook her hand. The touch was light, almost dismissive, as if Sophie had already sized her up and deemed her unimportant.
"Mia," Sophie repeated, her tone not unfriendly but laced with something Mia couldn't quite place. "Nice to meet you."
There was something in her eyes—something calculating. A glint that Mia didn't trust.
Adrian, still trying to bridge the awkwardness, turned to Sophie. "It's been a long time. How have you been?"
"Oh, you know," Sophie said, her voice sweet but with an edge that Mia couldn't ignore. "I've been keeping busy. But it's always nice to run into an old friend." She shot a quick glance at Mia, then back to Adrian. "Are you still staying at the same place? I heard about the little cottage down by the shore."
Adrian nodded. "Yeah, just for a few days. It's been great, actually."
Sophie's eyes narrowed just slightly. "How lovely. Well, I don't want to keep you," she said, giving Mia a look that was too calculated to be accidental. "It was great seeing you again, Adrian. I'll see you around."
Adrian smiled, clearly trying to keep the conversation light. "Sure, Sophie. Take care."
Once Sophie was out of earshot, Mia couldn't keep the question from spilling out. "Who was that?"
Adrian blinked, his expression shifting into one of mild confusion. "Oh, that's Sophie. We used to be… close friends. We were in the same group of friends back in college."
Mia's heart skipped. "Close friends?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Adrian nodded, his voice softening slightly. "Yeah, but nothing more than that. We just lost touch after a while. I didn't know she was in town."
Mia felt a pang of something she couldn't identify. Jealousy? Uncertainty? Whatever it was, it felt foreign to her—something she hadn't experienced in a long time, and certainly not with Adrian. But something about Sophie's presence had set off a warning bell in her mind.
They walked in silence for a moment, and Mia tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered, like a shadow that refused to fade. As they reached their cottage, Mia stopped and turned to Adrian. "You didn't tell me you were that close with her."
Adrian looked at her, his brow furrowing in concern. "I didn't think it was important. Mia, you have to know—there's nothing between Sophie and me. She's just someone from my past. That's all."
Mia didn't reply right away, the unease swirling inside her. "I don't know," she said, her voice tight. "There's just something about her. She… she seems to know more about you than I thought."
Adrian's expression softened, and he reached for her hand. "Mia, trust me. You're the only one I'm here with. I'm here because of you."
But Mia couldn't shake the feeling that Sophie wasn't just an old friend—she was something more. And as much as she wanted to ignore it, as much as she wanted to trust Adrian, a nagging doubt began to take root in her mind.
What if Sophie wasn't just a ghost from Adrian's past? What if she was something more? Something that threatened the life Mia and Adrian were building together.
And as the days passed, Mia began to realize that Sophie's presence in their idyllic paradise was no accident.