HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 2

Unlikely Encounter

The first sunlight broke through the clouds, comforting Lia. The night's darkness, heavy with uncertainty, receded, making way for the promise of a new day.

"We made it through," Ethan said, his voice rough with exhaustion but laced with hope.

Lia glanced at him, noticing for the first time how much he resembled Lucas—her late boyfriend. She had tried to ignore the resemblance before, but now it felt inescapable. His presence stirred memories she had thought were buried deep.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked gently, sensing her emotional turmoil.

Tears welled up in Lia's eyes. She turned away, fighting to keep her emotions in check. Although she had convinced herself she had moved on, Ethan's face—so like Lucas's—brought back the pain she thought she'd left behind.

"Why do you have to remind me of him?" she whispered, almost to herself.

Ethan approached cautiously, unsure of what he had done wrong. "Did I say something wrong?" His voice was soft, but concern was written all over his face.

Lia shook her head. "No, not at all," she said, forcing calm into her voice. But the weight of her grief was suddenly overwhelming. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "It's just... seeing you makes me remember things I thought I'd forgotten."

Ethan hesitated, then spoke carefully. "Does he still hold a special place in your heart?"

Lia's gaze dropped to the ground. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it was a long time ago. I didn't expect to feel this way again."

Ethan's expression softened. "I'm here if you need to talk." His words were simple but sincere.

Lia nodded, but instead of engaging further, she turned and walked away, needing space to collect her thoughts. She stepped outside their makeshift shelter, letting the first light of dawn wash over her. The storm had passed, and the world around them was transformed. The beach sparkled, the forest rustled gently in the breeze, and the air smelled fresh and clean.

The serenity of it all made Lia's heartache. She was both here, in this beautiful but unfamiliar place, and somewhere else, lost in the past.

"We should find food and water," she said, her voice sharper than she intended. "We'll need energy if we're going to figure out how to survive."

Ethan nodded, watching her closely. "You're different," he murmured, almost to himself.

Lia turned toward him, brow furrowing. "What do you mean by that?"

Ethan gave a small smile. "Just thinking aloud."

Lia let out a soft sigh, unwilling to pursue the topic. "We should explore the island. Standing here won't help us."

They walked together through the forest, but the air between them remained thick with unsaid words. Ethan's mind, however, wandered back to the moments they had shared, drawn to Lia in ways he couldn't quite explain. He noticed the military bag slung over her shoulder and wondered what other secrets she carried.

After catching his eye, Lia said, "I warned you not to stare."

Ethan blinked, startled. "I wasn't—" he began, then trailed off. "I was just looking around, not at you."

Lia rolled her eyes but didn't respond. She quickened her pace, leading the way deeper into the forest. They needed to concentrate on survival, not their peculiar developing relationship.

After a short while, they reached a river. "Let's start here," Lia said, handing Ethan a sharpened stick. "We'll need to catch fish for food."

Ethan looked at the stick, then at Lia, unsure. "You're serious?"