Lara Payet hadn't planned on seeing Jaden that afternoon.
The day had begun quietly — the kind of quiet she was learning to trust again. She'd spent the morning working from home, answering emails with the balcony doors open, the ocean air threading gently through the apartment. It felt like one of those rare days that asked nothing of her.
Then her phone buzzed.
Jaden:You free later?
She stared at the message longer than necessary.
Not because she didn't want to see him.
Because she did — and that still surprised her.
Lara:I think so. Why?
The reply came almost immediately.
Jaden:Family thing tonight. Nothing dramatic.But I was thinking we could grab coffee first. No pressure.
No pressure.
She smiled faintly at that.
Lara:Coffee sounds nice.
They met at a small café not far from her place, one of those half-hidden spots that smelled like citrus peel and roasted beans. Jaden was already there when she arrived, leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly damp as if he'd showered in a hurry.
"You look rested," he said instead of hello.
She laughed softly. "That obvious?"
"Yes," he replied. "You're not bracing."
Something about the way he said it — observant but not invasive — settled her.
They took their drinks outside, sitting side by side rather than across from each other. The conversation drifted easily: work, the weather, a ridiculous story about Curly accidentally locking herself out of the house in pajamas.
"My family's having dinner tonight," he said eventually, staring into his cup. "Nothing big. Just… loud."
She glanced at him. "And?"
"And I was going to go alone," he admitted. "But then I thought… I'd rather not."
She didn't answer right away.
He noticed.
"You don't have to come," he added quickly. "I'm not asking. I'm just explaining why I might disappear later."
The honesty disarmed her.
"What made you change your mind?" she asked.
Jaden shrugged. "I like being around you when things are normal. It makes the noise… quieter."
That did something to her chest.
They finished their coffee slowly, neither in a rush. When they stood to leave, he hesitated near his car.
"I'm heading there in about an hour," he said. "If you want to join, we could go together. If not, I can drop you home."
No persuasion.
No expectation.
Just an open door.
Lara surprised herself by saying, "Okay."
The word felt steady when it left her mouth.
They didn't drive straight there.
Instead, Jaden suggested a walk — just along the water, nothing planned. The late afternoon sun softened the city, turning glass buildings warm instead of sharp. They walked without touching, close enough to feel presence without assumption.
"I should warn you," he said lightly. "My sisters will ask questions."
"I can handle questions," she replied. "It's expectations I'm still learning."
He nodded like he understood exactly what she meant.
They stopped once, watching the tide roll in.
"You can say no at any point," he reminded her. "Even halfway up the driveway."
She smiled. "I know."
And she did.
That was why she stayed.
Lara hadn't realized how tightly she'd been holding herself together until she heard laughter drifting through the open windows.
Not polite laughter.Not the kind meant to perform happiness.
The real kind.
It stopped her at the edge of the driveway.
The house wasn't extravagant. It felt lived in — warm-toned brick, wide windows glowing gold, plants lining the walkway like they'd been tended without urgency. Shoes were scattered by the door as if no one here believed in appearances over comfort.
The air smelled like grilled fish, garlic, and lemon.
Jaden parked and cut the engine.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, though her chest felt tight. "I just… wasn't expecting this."
"My family doesn't do quiet," he said with a faint smile.
The front door flew open.
"Jaden!"
A young woman burst out barefoot, phone in hand, hair in a messy ponytail. She froze when she saw Lara — then beamed.
"You must be Lara."
Before Lara could respond, she was hugged.
Warm. Easy.
"I'm Caroline. But everyone calls me Care."
Jaden groaned. "Don't encourage her."
Another woman appeared behind her, shorter, eyes sharp with amusement.
"And I'm Curly," she said. "Welcome to the chaos."
Inside, the house buzzed with movement and sound. Someone argued about seasoning. Someone laughed too loudly. Music hummed softly in the background.
"Jay," a woman's voice called from the kitchen.
His posture shifted slightly — not tense, but aware.
"Coming, Mum."
He turned to Lara. "Ready?"
She nodded.
His mother stood at the counter, wiping her hands on a towel. She looked Lara over — not unkindly, but thoroughly.
"And you must be Lara," she said.
"Yes," Lara replied. "It's nice to meet you."
The hug was polite. Brief.
"Jaden doesn't bring people home often," his mother said with a smile that lingered just a beat too long.
Dinner was loud, warm, full. Stories overlapped. Teasing flew freely. Lara felt herself relax without realizing it.
"So," Curly said eventually, eyeing her, "Réunion Island to Sydney?"
"Work," Lara replied. "And timing."
"That's code," Caroline said, nodding solemnly. "'I chose peace.'"
Jaden shot her a look.
His mother refilled glasses. "Souline always said Sydney felt like freedom," she said casually, glancing toward the living room wall.
Lara followed her gaze.
A framed photo.
Jaden — younger — beside a woman with long dark hair.
Souline.
No one commented.
No one needed to.
Lara didn't feel replaced.
Just… reminded.
Later, Caroline pulled her aside gently.
"You're not being compared," she whispered. "Mum just holds onto people."
Lara nodded. "I understand."
When it was time to leave, Jaden walked her to her car.
"You didn't have to stay," he said.
"I wanted to," she replied.
That night, the calm lingered.
Until her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
You can't stay hidden forever.
The borrowed light cracked.
Not shattered.
Just fractured.
And somewhere, far away, the storm was already learning her name.