Chapter 1
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Chapter One: She Should’ve Run
(Lia’s POV)
The rain didn't fall.
It slammed—like the sky was angry, like God had a score to settle.
I tightened the straps of my backpack, head down, heart pounding like it knew something I didn’t. But it wasn’t just the storm creeping under my skin. It was that feeling again—the one I hadn't felt in two years.
Like I was being watched.
Like someone was waiting for me to look up… so they could ruin me.
I didn’t dare.
Not until I stepped into the bookstore—the only place that ever felt like mine. The bell above the door gave its familiar tired chime, and the world outside blurred behind fogged glass.
Safe. Quiet.
Until I felt it.
His presence.
Like ink bleeding into water. Slow. Silent. Inevitable.
> "Still hiding in books, Lia?"
I froze.
That voice didn’t belong here.
That voice was a wound I thought had finally scarred over.
Damon.
I turned around, slowly, like maybe if I moved too fast he’d disappear.
But there he was.
Leaning against the bookshelf like he owned the place. Owned the storm. Owned me.
Black coat.
Black boots.
Black soul in those eyes.
And that smile—
God. That smile was worse than any threat. It knew too much.
> "You... left," I whispered.
"You knew I would," he said simply, stepping closer.
"And now you're back?"
"No, baby. I never left you. Just gave you time to forget... so I could watch you remember."
My breath caught.
There was no escaping him.
Not now. Not when the past was standing two feet away—smirking like the devil he’d become.
He didn't come back to see if I was okay.
He came to destroy what was left.
And the worst part?
> A tiny part of me… wanted to let him.
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Tagline
“Some devils don’t need to chase you.
They wait in the places you feel safe… and kiss you like they never broke you.”
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