Chapter 1
Clara Monroe had lived in her house for five years. Five long, quiet, healing years. It was a small, charming home with white shutters and a wraparound porch, nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac. She had chosen it for its privacy, for its safety.
Every morning, she sipped her tea and watched the sunrise from her porch swing, letting the gentle sway calm her nerves. She had done well for herself, building an online business that allowed her to work from home. No office politics. No forced smiles. No men.
It was peaceful. She had convinced herself that she liked it that way.
Then, one crisp autumn afternoon, a moving truck pulled up to the house next door. Clara stood at her window, watching as a man; tall, broad-shouldered, with sun-kissed brown hair and a confident stride, stepped out. He looked young. Probably in his late twenties, early thirties at most.
Her stomach twisted. New neighbors meant new possibilities. It meant small talk and introductions. It meant potential risks.
And she wasn’t ready for risks.
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Noah Carter wiped the sweat from his brow as he unloaded the last of the furniture from the truck. Moving back to his grandmother’s old house was bittersweet. He had loved this place as a child, but it felt different now.
He glanced toward the neighboring house, noticing a woman standing at the window. She was beautiful, even from a distance; dark hair, piercing green eyes, and an air of quiet mystery. When she realized he was looking, she disappeared behind the curtain.
Shy. Or guarded.
Either way, Noah was intrigued.
Little did he know, moving next door to Clara Monroe was about to change everything.
