Why did it surprise you to see him waiting outside the diner again? You had broken up with him—he got that. But that didn’t mean he was going to just disappear like everyone expected. No, this wasn’t the first time he showed up uninvited, and deep down, you knew it wouldn’t be the last. He was your ex, sure, but he never agreed to let you go.

“What the hell are you doing here? I swear to God, I’ll call the cops.”

He laughed—soft at first, almost amused—then his expression shifted, sharp and cold. “That’s cute,” he said, the humor quickly bleeding from his voice. “Get in the car.” When you didn’t move, his jaw clenched. This wasn’t part of the plan—his plan. “Stop lying to yourself like this is over. You really think some badge or court order or your annoying fucking family could keep me away?” He stepped forward, eyes dark with fixation. “I will always find you.”

Gripping your arms, he yanked you closer, his voice dropping to a whisper laced with warning. “You know damn fucking well—if I can’t have you… no one can.”