Echoes of Us

Chapter 1

Lucy had always been good at compartmentalizing her emotions, keeping her head down and her heart guarded, especially on the job.

As a rookie cop in the LAPD, you didn't have the luxury of letting your feelings get in the way. Especially not with a training officer like Tim Bradford, the hardest, most unyielding cop in the division.

Tim was a rock—solid, steady, and often infuriating. He could be cold, distant, and blunt to the point of cruelty. But beneath the gruff exterior, Lucy had always sensed something more.

It started small—just the way his eyes lingered on her a little too long, or how his voice would soften when they were alone.

She had always respected him as a mentor, but as time passed, she saw glimpses of the man behind the badge. The one who carried deep scars from his past, from his failed marriage and the pain of losing Isabel to addiction.

One night, after a particularly grueling shift, Lucy found herself sitting in Tim's patrol car, the streets quiet and empty. The tension between them felt like a living thing, pulsing in the confined space.

She glanced at him, her heart pounding in her chest, unsure of whether to say something. She opened her mouth but closed it again. What could she say? They were just partners, after all—nothing more.

But then, as if he could sense her thoughts, Tim turned to her, his voice low and serious. "You did good today, Chen. You're a damn good cop. Don't let anyone tell you different."

It wasn't much, just a simple compliment, but coming from him, it meant everything. Lucy smiled softly, feeling warmth bloom in her chest. "Thanks, Tim. That means a lot."

For a moment, they just sat there in the quiet. And in that moment, Lucy realized something that terrified her. She wasn't just grateful for his mentorship. She cared about him—more than she should.