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Chapter Two — The Knock
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2025-05-10 04:30:40Chapter Two- The Knock
It started with a knock.
Elena tensed.
Lila, still in her pajamas, was coloring at the coffee table, her blonde curls bent over a picture of a blue bear. She didn’t look up.
Elena’s heart skipped. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Lily had already left. No deliveries. No appointments.
She crept to the peephole—and froze.
A man. Mid-thirties. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark beard scruff. A blue T-shirt. Holding a package. Looking confused.
She didn’t recognize him.
She opened the door two inches, chain still latched. “Yes?”
“Uh, hi,” the man said, flashing a cautious smile. “Sorry to bother you. I think this was dropped off at my place by mistake. You’re apartment 3B?”
She glanced down. A slim A****n box with her name.
Elena Grey.
She hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. That’s me.”
“I’m Jack. 3C. Just moved in a couple weeks ago,” he said, holding out the package between them like a peace offering. “I’ve been meaning to introduce myself, but… I’m bad at neighbor stuff.”
Her instinct was to grab the box, thank him quickly, shut the door. But something in his tone wasn’t pushy. He wasn’t invading. He was waiting. Respectful.
She unlatched the chain and opened the door just enough to take the box. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Jack said. His eyes flicked behind her for a moment, catching sight of Lila, who was now peeking over the couch with her usual wide-eyed curiosity. “Hey there,” he added gently.
Lila waved shyly. “Hi.”
Jack smiled again—this time softer. “I like your bear.”
Lila beamed. “He’s Blueberry. He’s magic.”
Jack leaned slightly to the side. “I can see that. He looks very brave.”
Elena felt her chest tighten—not from fear, but from something unfamiliar. Something… warm.
“You have a kid?” Jack asked, already stepping back like he didn’t want to linger too long.
She nodded.
He hesitated, then added, “If you ever need anything, I’m just across the hall.”
“Okay,” she said. Not a promise. Just… okay.
He gave a small nod and started to turn. But then, like something tugged at him, he glanced back.
“Sorry,” he added. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable. I know… people don’t always like surprise knocks.”
She blinked, surprised by his awareness. “It’s okay. You didn’t.”
Jack nodded again, gave a faint smile, and walked away.
She shut the door.
And stood there.
It had been years since a man looked at her like that—with no agenda. No threat. No judgment. Just… kindness.
Lila spoke from the couch. “He’s nice.”
Elena swallowed. “Yeah,” she said, barely above a whisper. “He seems like it.”
She set the box on the kitchen counter and sat down next to Lila. But her mind wasn’t on the coloring page or the spilled crayons.
Her thoughts were with the man in 3C.
The one who waited.
The one who didn’t try to fix or force or invade.
Just offered a package. A smile. A moment.
And something deep inside her, something that had been quiet for a long, long time, stirred. Not loud. Not demanding.
Just… present.
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