As the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, a small, warm hand gently shook her.
"Mommy, wake up," Eva's sweet voice called. "Baba said he has a surprise for you!"
Elara groaned softly, her mind still caught in the haze of sleep. Blinking against the soft glow of the morning light, she slowly opened her eyes, and gasped.
The entire room was filled with flowers. Vibrant shades of red, white, and soft pastels surrounded her, their gentle fragrance weaving through the air. The sight was overwhelming, yet beautiful, leaving her momentarily breathless. She sat up, glancing around in awe, the petals and colors creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Eva giggled beside her, clapping her tiny hands. "Do you like it, Mommy?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Elara turned to her daughter, her heart squeezing in her chest. "Did Daddy do all of this?" she asked, her voice soft with wonder.
With an innocent nod, Eva beamed. "Yes, Mommy!"
Just then, Lucas appeared at the door, his warm smile making the room feel even brighter. "Here you are, sweetheart," he said gently, stepping inside with a tray in his hands. A breakfast of warm toast, fresh fruit, and a cup of tea was carefully arranged, steam rising gently from the cup.
Elara looked at him, a deep emotion stirring within her. The longing in her gaze softened as she allowed herself, just for a moment, to let go of the questions in her head. A small smile tugged at her lips as she leaned slightly on his shoulder, the warmth of his presence settling something deep inside her. "Thank you," she whispered.
Lucas smiled back, a quiet understanding in his eyes. "Anything for you."
Eva, unable to contain her excitement, wiggled between them on the bed. Lucas chuckled and wrapped an arm around her, whispering playfully, "We're all eating together, aren't we, Eva?"
With a bright, happy face, Eva nodded eagerly. "Yes, Daddy!"
Elara watched them, the warmth of the moment seeping into her heart. She still didn't have all the answers, and the fog in her mind remained, but right now, she had this, a home, a family, and a morning that felt like something worth holding on to.
The day unfolded in a warmth Elara hadn't felt in a long time. The lingering unease of the past days faded into the background as laughter and soft moments filled the air. Lucas had planned a small outing, wanting to spend the day as a family, just the three of them.
They walked through the city streets, the cool breeze carrying the scent of freshly baked bread from nearby cafés and the distant sound of street musicians playing soft melodies. Eva was full of energy, running ahead with a bright smile before turning back to grab Elara's hand, pulling her along.
"Mommy, look! There's a big fountain over there!" Eva's excitement was contagious as she pointed towards a grand fountain in the middle of a small plaza. The water shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting the sky like a mirror.
Elara chuckled, her heart swelling at the sight of her daughter's joy. Without thinking, she reached out and gently brushed Eva's hair back. "Be careful, sweetheart," she said softly.
The moment the words left her lips, she froze.
Lucas, who had been watching them, noticed the shift in her expression. His brows lifted slightly, waiting.
Elara blinked, her breath catching. The word had slipped so naturally, as if it had always belonged. Sweetheart.
Eva, oblivious to the significance, giggled and leaned into her. "Mommy, you always call me that, don't you?"
Elara's chest tightened. Did she? Did she always call her that before?
She looked at Lucas, searching for an answer she wasn't sure she wanted to hear. But he only smiled, his gaze warm and steady. "You used to," he said softly. "All the time."
Something in Elara's heart ached , an unfamiliar yet familiar pain, like remembering a song she once loved but had forgotten the melody to.
But instead of pulling away from it, she let herself hold onto this moment.
With a gentle smile, she cupped Eva's small face and kissed her forehead. "Then I guess I still do."
Eva beamed, wrapping her arms around her mother in a tight hug. And for the first time since she had returned, Elara didn't feel like she was lost in the dark.
For the first time, she felt home.
As the laughter and warmth of the day surrounded them, a sudden, uneasy feeling crawled up Elara's spine. It was subtle at first, like a whisper in the wind, but then it became stronger, an overwhelming sensation of being watched.
Her body stiffened, and instinctively, her eyes darted around, scanning the crowded plaza. People walked by, lost in their own lives, their laughter and conversations blending into a blur of noise. Yet, something felt wrong.
Her heart pounded as she turned her head sharply, her breath hitching. There just for a second, she thought she saw a shadow lingering near the fountain, watching her from a distance. But when she focused, it was gone.
"Elara?" Lucas's voice pulled her back. He had noticed the change in her, the way her body tensed, the way her grip on Eva's small hand had tightened. He placed a hand on her back, his warmth grounding her. "Are you okay?"
She swallowed, forcing herself to breathe. "I just…" she started, but the words died in her throat. She
Lucas studied her for a moment, concern flickering in his eyes before he gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Let's go home," he said gently. "You need more rest. We've had enough for today."
Elara hesitated, her gaze lingering on the spot where she had felt the presence. But the unease still clung to her, wrapping around her like a cold mist.
Finally, she nodded. "Okay… let's go home."
As they walked away, Lucas held Elara close while Eva skipped ahead, humming a cheerful tune. The evening air was cool, carrying the distant sounds of the city, but Elara couldn't shake the feeling of unseen eyes lingering behind them.
By the time they reached home, exhaustion weighed heavy on her. As soon as they stepped inside, she let out a deep breath, trying to push away the unease settling in her chest. Lucas kissed her forehead gently. "You and Eva should rest," he said softly. "I'll take care of dinner."
She nodded, too tired to argue. Taking Eva's hand, she led her upstairs, helping her change into her pajamas before tucking her into bed. The warmth of the blankets and the steady rhythm of Eva's breathing slowly eased Elara's nerves. Within moments, she, too, drifted into sleep.
The scent of freshly cooked food filled the air as Elara stirred awake. The house was quiet except for the faint sounds of Lucas moving around in the kitchen.
Stretching, she glanced at Eva, who was still curled up under the blankets. A small smile tugged at her lips before she gently woke her. "Come on, sweetheart, let's get you ready for dinner."
Eva yawned but obeyed, allowing her mother to guide her to the bathroom for a warm bath. Everything felt peaceful , normal. But just as Elara was helping Eva into her clothes, she suddenly froze.
Eva was staring at her.
Not with her usual bright, innocent gaze.
But with a smile.
A strange, unsettling smile that sent a cold shiver down Elara's spine.
It lasted only a second , just a flicker of something unnatural across Eva's young face. Then, as if nothing had happened, Eva giggled and tilted her head.
"Mommy," she said sweetly, "who is coming to visit us today?"
Eplara's breath caught.
For a brief moment, an image flashed in her mind, so vivid, so real that it made her dizzy.
A dinner table.
A dimly lit room.
A boy named Leo.
And Eva, but different.
The memory, or was it a memory?, vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving Elara gripping the fabric of Eva's shirt in quiet panic.
She forced a shaky breath. "Your father's friends, sweetheart," she finally answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eva only smiled her usual, innocent smile this time as if the strange moment had never happened.
Downstairs, Lucas called her name, snapping her back to reality. She quickly finished dressing Eva and headed to the dining area, pushing aside the lingering unease.
Lucas greeted her with a warm smile as he set the table. "Oh honey, you should've stayed resting. I took care of everything."
Elara gave him a small smile in return. "You could've woken me up," she teased lightly.
He chuckled, stepping closer to kiss her forehead. "I'm a big chef. You'll love my cooking."
Just as she was about to reply, the doorbell rang.
Elara's breath hitched.
For some reason, her heart pounded in her chest.
And deep inside her, something told her, whoever was at the door wasn't just any guest.
To be continue....