Chapter 1: The Perfect Man
Lena never believed in love at first sight. But the moment she saw Elias Blackwood standing in front of her painting, something shifted.
It was at a small art gallery downtown, where her latest work was displayed. Most people glanced at her paintings and moved on, but Elias stood there, staring. His dark eyes traced every stroke, every color, as if he could see the meaning behind it all.
"You painted this?" he asked, turning to her. His voice was deep, smooth, confident.
Lena nodded. "Yeah. It's part of a series."
"It's beautiful," he said. "You have a way of making emotions come alive on canvas."
She blushed, not used to compliments that felt so personal. "Thank you."
Elias smiled. "I'd love to see more of your work."
That was how it started.
Elias was perfect - too perfect. He was charming, wealthy, and deeply interested in everything she did. He sent her flowers after their first date. He remembered small details about her, like how she preferred tea over coffee or how she always carried a sketchbook.
Within weeks, they were inseparable. He took her to expensive restaurants, held her hand like she was the most precious thing in the world, and told her she was special.
It felt like a dream.
But even in dreams, there are shadows.
One night, as Lena scrolled through her messages, she noticed something odd. A text from Elias.
Elias: Sleep well, love. You looked beautiful in your blue dress today.
Her stomach twisted. She hadn't seen him today. She hadn't told him what she was wearing.
So how did he know?