6: The Day Everything Changed

I woke up before my alarm, my eyes snapping open as if my body already knew how important today was. Christmas Eve.

For a moment, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, a smile slowly spreading across my face. My chest felt warm, buzzing with excitement that refused to let me rest any longer. Today mattered. Everything about today mattered.

I rolled out of bed, nearly tripping over my own feet as I hurried to get dressed. I threw on a sweater, wrapped a scarf around my neck, and grabbed my bag, already mentally running through a checklist.

Presents.

I still needed a few last-minute Christmas presents—one for Mom, one for Aurora, and one for Kade. I wanted them to be perfect. Not expensive, not flashy, just… thoughtful. Something that said I know you.

The city was quiet as I made my way toward the shopping mall, the early morning air crisp and refreshing. The streets were still half-asleep, dusted with leftover snow that crunched softly beneath my boots. Christmas lights lined the sidewalks, glowing gently like they were still waking up too.

Everything felt peaceful.

As I passed The Half Moon Night Café, my steps slowed without me meaning to.

That was odd.

They were usually open by now. I hadn’t planned on sitting down—I didn’t have time—but I’d thought I could grab a caramel latte to go. It had become something of a routine lately, a small comfort I didn’t even realize I relied on.

The sign still read Closed.

I frowned slightly and checked my watch. Maybe they were opening late today. Curious, I leaned closer to the window and peeked inside.

Asher was there, behind the counter, but something about him was… different. He wasn’t moving with his usual calm rhythm. His posture was tense, his expression sharp and serious in a way I’d never seen before.

He wasn’t alone.

A few other men stood with him, their faces mostly hidden by the counter and the tall coffee machines. I could only see parts of them—dark coats, broad shoulders—but I could tell they were standing close, talking quietly, hushed and urgent tones.

Asher looked different. Serious. Focused. Not tense exactly, but sharper than usual, like his attention was completely locked onto whatever they were discussing. He said something I couldn’t hear, and one of the men nodded.

Huh.

I shrugged it off almost immediately. Everyone had serious mornings sometimes, especially this close to Christmas. I checked the time again—definitely didn’t have time to wait—and stepped back onto the sidewalk.

No coffee today. Shopping first.

⸻

The mall was already alive by the time I arrived. Christmas music played softly overhead, people weaving through the corridors with armfuls of bags and excited expressions. The air smelled like sugar, cinnamon, and something warm and buttery I couldn’t quite place.

I started with Mom. I took my time, wandering through a few stores before finding something that felt just right. Something warm, practical, but still special. I smiled as I imagined her reaction, already picturing her trying to insist she didn’t need anything while clearly loving it.

Next was Aurora. That was easier. I found something fun, something that immediately made me think of her laugh, her energy. I could already hear her teasing me about it, and it made me grin.

Feeling accomplished, I wandered a little more, enjoying the atmosphere. That’s when I saw it.

The dress.

It hung near the front of a boutique, catching the light in a way that made me stop in my tracks. It was prettier than the one I’d picked out yesterday—more elegant, softer, like it had been waiting for me to find it.

I stepped inside, lifted it from the rack, and held it up. My reflection stared back at me, and something clicked.

It would go perfectly with the necklace Kade gave me last Christmas.

I smiled at the thought of it—the way he’d clasped it around my neck, the way he’d told me it suited me perfectly. I could already imagine how the necklace would rest against my collarbone, how the dress would frame it just right.

I didn’t hesitate. I bought it.

As the cashier folded the dress carefully into its bag, my excitement bubbled over. Tonight was going to be special. Kade was taking me to the new fine dining restaurant in town—the one I’d been talking about for months, the one I’d practically begged to try.

He remembered.

By the time I finished shopping, my arms were full of bags and my heart felt even fuller. But my wallet painfully thin and light. It was worth it. Everything was falling into place.

⸻

Back home, I set the bags down and checked my phone. Messages from Kade lit up the screen—teasing, affectionate, playful. The Kade I knew. The Kade I loved.

I laughed softly to myself as I replied, my fingers flying across the screen.

As I’m texting Kade, I also get a notification from Aurora. Something about she’s bringing some of her home-made food. I smiled and gave her a quick reply.

The afternoon passed in a blur of anticipation. I tried to distract myself, but I kept glancing at the clock, counting down the hours.

When it was finally time to get ready, I took my time. I slipped into the new dress, smoothing the fabric, admiring how it fit. Then I reached for the necklace and fastened it around my neck.

Perfect.

When Kade picked me up, his smile widened the moment he saw me.

“Wow,” he said. “You look incredible.”

I laughed, warmth blooming in my chest. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” he replied easily, opening the car door for me.

The restaurant was stunning. Soft lighting, polished wood, tasteful Christmas decorations that made everything feel intimate and festive without being overwhelming. It felt unreal to finally be there, sitting across from him, holding the menu I’d seen pictures of so many times.

We ordered the Christmas special, and Kade insisted on wine, smiling when I hesitated. He was attentive, charming, relaxed. Everything felt… normal. Good.

Happy.

After a while, I excused myself. “I’ll be right back. Bathroom.”

“Take your time. I’ll be here,” he said, smiling at me.

The hallway was quieter than the dining area, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses fading behind me. I washed my hands, checked my reflection, adjusted my necklace, and smiled to myself.

See? I thought. Everything is fine. You were worried for nothing. I thought to myself.

I stepped back into the hallway to make my way back to Kade.

Suddenly a hand covered my mouth.

An arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

Panic exploded through me all at once, my heart slamming violently against my ribs as I was pulled backward. My thoughts scattered, my body reacting before my mind could catch up.

Voices murmured—low, unfamiliar. The world tilted, blurred, slipped out of focus.

The last thing I saw was the warm glow of the dining room at the end of the hallway.

And then nothing.

This was the day everything changed.