Chapter 1
The small town of Seabreeze had always felt like the place where people came to escape the world's chaos—at least, that’s what Ella had believed when she left it three years ago. The old, familiar cobblestone streets were just as she remembered, winding their way through quaint shops and pastel-colored houses. The salty scent of the ocean hung in the air, and the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore was oddly comforting.
Ella hadn’t expected to return so soon, but life had a way of pulling her back.
Her heels clicked against the pavement as she walked toward the only coffee shop in town. She needed something to warm her hands as she thought about everything she had left behind: the friends, the dreams, and… him.
Ben.
Ella’s heart tightened at the thought of him. Their love had been as deep and undeniable as the ocean itself, but like the tides, it had receded—leaving her with nothing but the lingering echoes of what once was.
The bell above the coffee shop door jingled as she entered, and she was met with the warm, inviting smell of freshly brewed coffee. The café was almost empty, save for a few people huddled in the corners, lost in their own worlds.
Behind the counter, a familiar face smiled at her, his dark hair slightly tousled as he wiped his hands on a rag.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal daughter herself,” Nate said, his grin widening as he recognized her.
Ella felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of him. She hadn’t seen Nate since that night—the night everything had changed. “Hey, Nate,” she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I didn’t think you’d be back. What’s the occasion? You’ve got your hands full, I assume?” He gestured to her suitcase, which was resting beside her.
Ella gave a weak smile, trying to mask the uncertainty bubbling inside her. “Just... needed a change of pace, I guess.”
Nate raised an eyebrow. “Change of pace? Or running away from something?”
Ella hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She hadn’t planned on talking about her past just yet. She hadn’t even fully come to terms with it herself. “I don’t know yet,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Maybe both.”
