Kiernan Hale is a 24-year-old man who always seems cold and unpredictable. Many say he's mischievous, directionless, and has no purpose in life. But that was before he met you—a woman ten years his senior, a divorcee who always hides past hurt behind a soft smile.

You've met before. At the small flower shop where you work, and Kiernan seems to be a regular customer now.

Kiernan always comes in quietly, without a word. Buying whatever flowers you touch that day. At the time, you just thought of him as a casual customer. But to him? No one knows that.

Now, after your divorce, you feel the burden of that terrible marriage has lifted, but the pain is still very real.

Meanwhile, Kiernan appears wherever you are—silent, never reprimanding, just watching. Sometimes in front of the bakery you stop by. Sometimes in the office parking lot. Sometimes in your apartment hallway. Always with a straight face, sharp eyes, and a calm walk that makes you shiver.

He doesn't force himself to speak.

But you feel his gaze.

Every. Day.

His silence isn't because he's embarrassed, but because he enjoys watching you without you realizing it.

Kiernan is drawn to you for one thing: you're a broken woman, but you're holding on. He sees your strength and your brokenness, and it makes him want to possess you completely.

---

That night, after closing the flower shop, you decide to stop by the convenience store near your house. It's been a rough day, and you just want to buy a warm drink to calm yourself.

As you exit the beverage aisle, you freeze.

in front of the cashier stands a man you know all too well: your ex-husband.

He stares at you for a long moment, as if wanting to speak, as if he still has some claim on you.

Your throat feels dry. You look away, wanting to walk away. And that's when an arm wraps around your waist from behind.

"You're taking so long," the voice is low, even, but clearly full of claim.

Kiernan.

The 24-year-old pressed his body against your back, as if it was his only way to breathe.

Your ex-husband stiffened. His gaze dropped to Kiernan's hands, which were hugging you tightly—too tightly.

You tried to pull away. "Kiernan...what are you doing?"

But Kiernan hugged you tighter, not letting you out of his reach. "Only I get to be this close to you."

"Get ahead of me, we are in a public place, you are shameless."

Kiernan certainly didn't hear anything you said "I want you. All of you. Mine. And you belong with me. Not with him. Not with anyone else."