Chapter 5

Lena’s Pov

Five years later

“Eli, come on, baby. Time for school!”

My five-year-old son came running out of the small coastal cottage, silver-gray eyes bright, backpack bouncing. “Mom, can we get ice cream after Iris’s café today? Please?”

I laughed and ruffled his dark hair. “Only if you’re good. Now let’s go.”

Life in this quiet town wasn’t perfect, but it was safe. I worked at Iris’s bookstore-café, lived under Mom’s maiden name, and tried not to think about Damien Laurent every single day. Eli was happy. That was what mattered.

We walked the short distance to the café, Eli chattering about dinosaurs. I smiled, but the familiar unease settled in my chest when I saw the black luxury car parked across the street. Probably some tourists.

“Mom, did you know T-Rex had really small arms?” Eli said, waving his own arms dramatically. “But he could still eat anything!”

I grinned down at him. “I did know that. You told me yesterday, remember? And the day before.”

He giggled. “But it’s cool! Can we watch the dinosaur movie again tonight?”

“We’ll see, sweetie. First you have to be good at school and help me at the café later.”

“Mom, what if I’m really, really good? Like super good? Can we get two scoops then?”

I pretended to think about it. “Hmm… maybe. But only if you eat all your vegetables at lunch too.”

Eli wrinkled his nose. “Even the broccoli? It’s yucky.”

“Even the broccoli, mister. Growing boys need it.”

He sighed dramatically but smiled. “Okay, fine. For ice cream I’ll do it. Do you think dinosaurs ate broccoli?”

I laughed. “Probably not. They were more into meat.”

“Rawr!” Eli roared, making me jump, then burst into giggles.

“Mom, if I was a dinosaur, I’d be a nice one. Like a plant eater. Then I could eat all the broccoli for you!”

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” I said, squeezing his hand. “But you’re my favorite human, not dinosaur.”

Iris waved from behind the counter as we entered. “There’s my favorite boy! Morning, Lena.”

“Morning.” I tied on my apron. “Busy today?”

“Getting there. Hey, some big-shot guy is in town looking at the old resort property. The whole town’s buzzing.”

I shrugged it off and started wiping tables. “Another rich developer? They come and go. Hopefully this one doesn’t tear everything down.”

Iris leaned on the counter, watching Eli settle into his corner with his coloring books. “You okay? You seem a little tense this morning.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “I just didn’t sleep well. Eli had a nightmare about monsters under the bed again.”

“Poor kid. Hey Eli, want some chocolate milk before school?”

“Yes please!” Eli called out. “With a straw?”

Iris laughed. “With a straw, of course. Lena, you should really think about letting him stay with me sometimes. You work too hard.”

“I know,” I replied, wiping the next table. “But I like having him close. He’s all I’ve got.”

“You’ve got me too, you know,” Iris said softly. “We’re family now. Whatever you’re running from… you’re safe here.”

I paused, cloth in hand. “I’m not running anymore. We’re building a life. That’s what matters.”

Iris lowered her voice. “Still, if that big-shot guy causes any trouble, you tell me. I’ve got your back. Always.”

“Thanks, Iris. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I glanced at Eli. “He really loves you, you know. Calls you Aunt Iris when you’re not around.”

Iris smiled warmly. “Good. Because I love that kid like he’s my own. You both deserve some peace after everything. By the way, did you see the new shipment of books? Those mystery novels you like just came in.”

“I’ll check them out during my break,” I said. “Maybe I’ll pick one up for bedtime reading.”

A regular customer, Mrs. Harper, walked in and sat at her usual table. “Morning, Lena dear. The usual please.”

“Coming right up,” I said. “How’s your husband doing?”

“Grumbling about his back again, but he’ll survive. Who’s the fancy car outside? The whole town is whispering about some millionaire sniffing around the resort.”

I kept my voice steady. “No idea. Probably just passing through.”

“Hope so,” Mrs. Harper said. “The last developer tried to raise everyone’s rent. We don’t need that kind of trouble here. You think this one will be the same?”

“I hope not,” I replied while pouring her coffee. “We like our town the way it is, quiet and safe. No big changes needed.”

“Exactly right, dear. You’re a smart girl. Raising that boy all by yourself and still smiling every day. Your mother would be proud.”

I smiled tightly. “Thank you, Mrs. Harper. That means a lot.”

Eli looked up from his coloring. “Mom, look! I drew a Stegosaurus. See the spikes?”

“It’s beautiful, baby,” I said, walking over to admire it. “You’re getting really good at this.”

“Can I show Iris?”

“Of course. Go ahead.”

Eli ran to the counter holding his drawing. “Aunt Iris, look what I made!”

Iris gasped dramatically. “This is museum quality! We should hang it on the wall. What do you think, Lena?”

I nodded, smiling. “Definitely. We’ll find a good spot after school.”

“Can I draw one for you too, Mom? A big one for our fridge?”

“I’d love that,” I said, bending down to kiss the top of his head. “Now finish your milk before we walk you to school.”

Eli took a big sip. “All done! Can we go now?”

Ten minutes later, the bell above the door rang. I looked up with my customer's smile and froze.

Damien Laurent stood in the doorway, eyes locked on Eli. On our son. His face went pale, then something raw and broken flashed across it.

Eli glanced up curiously. “Mom, who’s that man?”

Damien took one step forward, voice rough. “Lena… is he….”

Before I could speak, Iris moved fast, stepping between us.

“You need to leave right now,” she said sharply.

Damien didn’t look at her. His eyes stayed on me, full of questions and fury and something that looked dangerously like pain.

“Lena,” he said, low and urgent, “we need to talk. Now.”

My heart slammed against my ribs as Eli tilted his head, studying Damien with those same silver-gray eyes.

“Mom?” Eli asked again. “Why is that man staring at me?”