SCARRED HEARTS

CHAPTER 25: DANGEROUS

The days after Sebastian's confession passed in a blur of restless moments and quiet tension. Lila could feel the shift in their relationship, the undercurrent of danger now more real than ever. She had learned enough to understand that Sebastian's world wasn't just full of power and luxury—it was tainted by something darker, something that had already started to claw its way into their lives.

Sebastian had promised to keep her safe, but Lila wasn't sure anyone, not even him, could shield her from the storm that was inevitably coming.

The morning after their conversation, Sebastian had left for a meeting, leaving Lila alone in his penthouse. She had tried to focus on the quiet rhythm of her own thoughts, but there was a sense of unease that clung to her like a shadow. She had never been one to let things slide, to sit idly by and wait for answers, especially when it came to the man she had chosen to stand by.

It was around noon when she decided to leave, her need for fresh air and a moment to clear her mind growing unbearable. She grabbed her coat, slipping into the lobby unnoticed, and took the elevator down to the ground floor.

The cold air hit her the moment she stepped outside, the biting wind a welcome contrast to the stuffy air inside the building. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself and walked down the street, her thoughts swirling in every direction.

Lila was just crossing the street when she felt it—a presence. She spun around quickly, half-expecting to see someone from Sebastian's world. But it wasn't anyone she recognized. It was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, his face obscured by a dark baseball cap. His eyes, though, were piercing—sharp, calculating.

Her heart rate picked up. The feeling that she was being watched grew stronger, a sense of unease tightening around her chest. She knew instinctively that this man wasn't just a passerby.

She turned her head, hoping to blend in with the crowd, but her instincts were screaming at her. She had to get away. Lila walked faster, her pace quickening as she tried to shake the sense of being followed.

And then, the man's voice cut through the noise of the city.

"Lila."

Her breath caught. The sound of her name was unfamiliar, its tone dark and cold. She didn't dare turn around. She quickened her step, nearly breaking into a jog, but the footsteps behind her mirrored hers. They were getting closer.

She was close to the corner of the street when a hand gripped her shoulder, yanking her around. The man's face was mere inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin. "Don't make a scene. Just listen," he said, his voice low, full of warning.

Lila's mind raced, panic surging through her. This was no ordinary encounter. This wasn't a random passerby. This was a message.

"I don't know who you are," she said, trying to pull away, but his grip was like iron.

He smirked. "You don't need to know my name. Just know that you've caught someone's attention. Someone who won't stop until they have everything they want, including you."

Lila's pulse thudded in her ears. "Who? What do you want from me?" Her voice was trembling, but she refused to show weakness. She wouldn't let this stranger intimidate her.

He leaned in closer, his face hard and unmoving. "You think Sebastian can protect you? He's made a lot of enemies, and you're only going to get in the way." His words were laced with venom, the threat unmistakable. "Stay away from him, and maybe we'll let you walk away unscathed."

A sick realization crawled through her veins like ice. This wasn't just some random threat. This was personal. This was a warning.

The man's grip loosened, and he took a step back, his eyes cold and calculating. "Remember this, Lila. You don't belong in his world. You're just a pawn."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving her standing there, breathless and shaken.

For a moment, she couldn't move. The weight of his words crushed her chest. She had always known there was danger surrounding Sebastian, but this... this was a different level entirely. They were watching her now. Whoever they were, they knew her name. They were willing to use her to get to him.

Her heart ached at the thought of Sebastian in the crosshairs of these people. He had tried so hard to shield her from the darker sides of his life, but now it seemed like there was no escaping it.

Lila pulled her coat tighter around her, feeling the chill of the air seep through her skin, but it wasn't the cold outside that bothered her. It was the icy terror in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't escape this. Not anymore.

She didn't return to the penthouse immediately. Instead, she found herself wandering, lost in a haze of thoughts and fears. She needed answers. She needed to understand just how far this web of danger reached. She needed to talk to Sebastian.

But the question lingered—was it too late? Could she walk away from him now, knowing what she knew? Could she bear to leave, knowing that she would be walking away from the only man who had ever made her feel truly alive?

Lila was about to call Sebastian, her fingers trembling over her phone screen, when her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice behind her.

"Lila."

Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned, already knowing who it was.

Sebastian stood there, his face tight with concern, his eyes scanning the streets around them like a man who knew he was being hunted. "What happened?" he asked, his tone low, almost urgent.

Lila's breath caught in her throat. The encounter from moments ago still felt fresh, the man's words echoing in her mind, and yet, as she looked at Sebastian, everything else faded. He was here. He was real. And this—whatever this was—was far from over.

"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a smile. "Just needed some air."

Sebastian didn't buy it. He stepped closer, his expression darkening as he searched her face for the truth. "Tell me what happened, Lila. Now."

And as her gaze locked with his, the world around them suddenly felt smaller, like they were standing on the edge of something they couldn't control. The storm was closing in. The game had changed, and there was no going back.

"I was followed," she said quietly, her voice barely a whisper. "A man—he... he warned me. Told me to stay away from you."

Sebastian's eyes hardened, a flicker of rage flashing across his features. Without a word, he reached for her hand, his grip strong but gentle.

"You're not walking away from this," he said, his voice resolute. "Not now. Not ever."

Lila nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know what this meant for them—if there was even a chance they would survive whatever storm was coming. But one thing was certain.

She wasn't leaving his side. Not now. Not after everything.