The hospital cafeteria always felt louder during midday—the clatter of trays, the hiss of espresso machines, and the overlapping chatter of exhausted staff desperate for caffeine. Elena Vaughn slipped in quietly, moving through the crowd with practiced ease.
Routine. The one thing she still trusted.
She carried her tray toward the small corner table she usually claimed, but before she could sit, someone stepped in front of her.
Dr. Adrian Lockheart.
Calm. Confident. Irritatingly charismatic.
And lately… persistent.
"Elena," he greeted with an easy smile that drew more attention than he probably realized. A pair of nurses passing behind him slowed down, blatantly listening.
"Are you free tonight?"
She blinked. "Tonight?"
"For dinner," he clarified, then added with a light laugh, "A date. Outside of scrubs. Outside of stress. Just you and me."
The cafeteria reacted instantly—gasps, whispers, the beginning of a rumor storm. Elena felt heat creep up her neck. Ever since she joined the hospital, Adrian had been one of the few people who tried to get close. Too close, sometimes.
But he had never pushed.Never demanded.Never frightened her.
And a part of her—small, fragile, deeply hidden—longed for something normal.
Something human.
"…Alright," she said softly. "Dinner."
The nurses behind Adrian nearly burst into squeals.
Adrian's smile widened in relief. "I'll pick you up at seven."
ROWAN — WATCHING WHAT HE CAN'T STOP
Across the street, in the surveillance van, Rowan froze.
The cafeteria feed zoomed in automatically, tracking Elena and the man standing far too close to her.
Dr. Adrian Lockheart.Age 33.Promising surgical specialist.Clean background.A man who smiled at her in a way Rowan suddenly hated.
"Captain Hale," the operator murmured cautiously, "is this… a person of interest?"
Rowan didn't answer immediately.
He was staring at Elena's faint, shy smile—something he hadn't seen in two years. Something that belonged to a version of her untouched by terror.
"No," Rowan finally said, voice even. "He's harmless. Continue monitoring."
But his jaw clenched.
And the screen showing Adrian Lockheart's profile suddenly seemed too bright. Too intrusive.
Too close to her.
THE DATE — A PLACE TOO FAMILIAR
The restaurant Adrian chose was elegant and warm, all golden chandeliers and velvet-lined seating. Elena paused at the entrance, a faint tremor running through her fingers.
She had been here before.
Not as Elena Vaughn.But as Roselyn Young.As a girl from a wealthy family attending charity luncheons beside her mother.
A life that didn't belong to her anymore.
Adrian guided her inside. "I hope this isn't too much. I wanted tonight to feel special."
"It's beautiful," she said, because it was easier than explaining the tightness growing in her chest.
Dinner was… unexpectedly pleasant.Adrian talked about his most embarrassing residency moments; she laughed. She shared her favorite books; he listened. The conversation flowed, effortless and warm.
For a moment, Elena allowed herself to breathe.
Allowed herself to imagine she was just a trainee doctor on a simple first date.
Not a girl hiding behind a new name.Not someone hunted.
"Excuse me," she said halfway through. "I'll be right back."
She headed toward the restroom, relieved for a moment to steady her thoughts.
THE COLLISION OF PAST AND PRESENT
The restroom was quiet and softly lit. Elena washed her hands slowly, inhaling deeply.
She was fine.She was safe.She—
Click.
High heels.
Familiar ones.
A scent drifted forward—floral, warm… achingly familiar.
Elena's breath stilled.
"No," she whispered under her breath. "It can't be—"
The woman who stepped inside froze.
Designer dress.Perfectly styled hair.Grace in every movement.
Her mother.
Emelia Young.
Her eyes widened—shock cleaving through her perfectly composed expression.
"…Roselyn?"
Elena's pulse roared in her ears.
Emelia stumbled a step closer, hand pressed to her trembling mouth.
"Roselyn—darling—is it really—? My god, your face… your eyes— Are you hurt? Where have you been? Who—"
Elena lowered her gaze, fighting a surge of panic so sharp it felt like drowning.
She couldn't be recognized.Not here.Not by the one person whose instinct would be to pull her close and never let go.
"I'm sorry, madam," Elena whispered, voice steady only because she forced it to be. "You're mistaken. My name is Elena Vaughn."
Emelia flinched like she'd been struck.
"No. Don't do that—please. You look exactly like my daughter. The same voice. The same—"
"I hear that often," Elena said gently, stepping past her. "I hope you find her."
"Wait—please—Roselyn—!"
Elena didn't stop.
If she did—her life would unravel in seconds.
ROWAN — REALIZING WHAT HE CAN'T CONTROL
Rowan's surveillance picked up the moment Elena reentered the dining area.
Her steps were steady… but her hands were shaking.
He felt his stomach drop.
"What happened?" he muttered, leaning closer to the feed.
Elena sat down. Adrian's expression softened with concern.
"Elena? You look pale. Are you alright?"
She smiled—small, brittle, breaking around the edges.
"I'm fine," she whispered. "Just a little cold."
Rowan exhaled sharply.
She wasn't cold.She was terrified.
Someone had found her.Someone close.Someone she shouldn't meet yet.
His hand hovered over his comm device.
If her family had seen her—Rambo's network might, too.
"Captain," his operator said carefully, "do we increase security?"
Rowan's voice dropped to something darker, sharper than steel.
"Yes. Double the watches. Anyone following her— anyone—gets flagged immediately."
He stared at the screen, jaw tight.
"Elena… what happened in there?"
ELENA — THE CRACK IN HER IDENTITY
Dinner ended smoothly—but she barely tasted the food.
Outside, the night wind brushed her cheeks, but it couldn't cool the feverish panic in her veins.
She managed to thank Adrian politely, accept his offer to walk her to her car, and keep her mask of calm until she was safely inside.
Once the door closed, her breath collapsed out of her.
Her mother had seen her.Recognized her.
And if her mother could—
So could others.So could he.
Elena pressed a trembling hand to her chest.
Her life—her fragile, carefully rebuilt life—was beginning to fracture.
And somewhere in the shadows, Rowan Hale felt the crack from miles away.
He whispered into the empty van:
"I'm coming, Roselyn.Before anyone else finds you."