5-Unwelcome Neighbor

I didn’t move.

Not right away.

Ian’s presence swallowed the air around me, same as it did back then.

He looked older, sure.

Taller. Sharper around the jaw.

But the smirk? That was the same.

Like time hadn’t changed him.

Like hurting people was still a game he hadn’t finished playing.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

I hated how quiet my voice sounded.

He gave a lazy shrug, eyes never leaving mine.

“New job. New city. Small world, huh?”

Small world.

Of course it was.

“What—don’t look so tense,” he said, his voice dipped in mock concern.

“I’m not the same kid I used to be.”

I didn’t answer.

Because I didn’t believe him.

Because the people who say that never actually are.

He took a step closer.

And just like that, my feet rooted to the floor.

“Funny,” he said. “You still flinch the same.”

I blinked.

Felt heat rise behind my eyes—but not from fear.

From anger.

From humiliation.

From the storm that’s been simmering for years.

I swallowed it down.

Not here. Not now.

I wouldn’t give him the show.

Instead, I looked him dead in the eye.

“That little girl you used to break?” I said.

“She doesn’t live here anymore.”

His smile faltered—just for a second.

But I saw it.

And I held on to that.

“So you got a new hobby now—trespassing into other people’s homes, huh?” he smirked, leaning one shoulder against the doorframe like he belonged there.

I didn’t flinch this time.

“I just came to check on my neighbor’s house,” I said flatly.

“It’s been vacant for months. Lights on for no reason. Thought something was off.”

I didn’t add until now.

Didn’t say until you showed up.

Didn’t have to.

His smirk deepened like I’d handed him exactly what he wanted.

“Well, congratulations,” he said, pushing the door open behind him. “Mystery solved.”

I glanced past him—into the shadowed hallway. Dust clung to the corners, furniture still draped in white sheets.

So he wasn’t just in town.

He was in that house.

Next door.

“You live here?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Just moved in.”

A pause.

“Fate’s funny, isn’t it?”

I met his eyes.

“No. It’s not.”

We stood there for a moment.

Quiet.

But not peaceful.

Never peaceful with Ian.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m not here for you.”

And yet—

His eyes said otherwise.

Then he turned and walked back inside, letting the door click shut between us.

I stood there for a beat longer, heart still pounding.

Ian.

Back in my life.

Next door.

And something told me...

he wasn’t the only ghost trying to crawl back in.

When I was about to enter my home, Hannah’s voice reached my ears.

“Oh, Celine, dear! I forgot to tell you—Stephen arranged me a new tenant!”

Stephen is Hannah’s cousin.

“Come, let me introduce you to him!”

“Oh no, Hannah,” I replied, forcing a casual tone. “I already met him. Went to check when the lights were all on.”

“You did? Already?”

I gave a tight nod, trying to hide the unease slipping into my voice.

“Yeah. Didn’t know it was him at first.”

Hannah smiled, oblivious.

“Small world, right? He just moved in yesterday. Apparently got transferred here for some tech gig—AI something, I didn’t really understand the details.”

Of course.

A job.

A new city.

The same old lies, just dressed in better clothes.

“You sure you’re okay?” she asked, tilting her head. “You look… pale.”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

Because how do you say:

The boy who wrecked your peace just became your neighbor?

The past I buried moved into the house next door?

“Anyway,” Hannah continued, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder, “Stephen said he’s harmless. A bit quiet. Friendly though. You’ll get along great.”

I forced a smile.

“Sure.”

Friendly.

That was one word for it.

Another was calculated.

“I’ll catch you later, okay?” I said, stepping away. “Kind of exhausted today.”

“Of course. See you tomorrow!”

I slipped into my house, shut the door, and this time I didn’t stop in the hallway.

I marched straight to the window overlooking Ian’s place and yanked the curtains shut.

But even with the barrier drawn, I could feel him.

Like a shadow pressing against the walls.

He wasn’t here for me.

He said that.

But Ian never told the truth.

Not when it mattered.

And now that he was back...

I needed to find out why.

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