to the lab, diving into her research with a focus so sharp that it left little room for anything else. But no matte

ly around town, always busy with his boat or talking with locals. He seemed to be everywhere and nowhere all at

. She was here to work, not to get involved in someone else's tangled history. Yet, whenever she caught s

ical challenges for the research project. Aiden knew the waters, the weather, and the locals. He was, as Daniels

one to meet with some local officials, leaving her with hours of work ahead. The day had been calm, but the weather

creaked open, and Aiden stepped inside. His presence f

y way of greeting, his deep

up from her work. "I'm almost done

on her. "It's not just the equipment you should be worried about.

rn surprised her, though she didn't show it.

p sleeves. "This isn't just a little weather. It's one of those storms that swee

to her work. "Thanks for th

r. Then, he spoke again, his tone softer this time. "You know, you're

was something unguarded in his expression, something she hadn't seen befor

nished. "It's not important," he said, his tone suddenly

na alone with her thoughts. She stood there for a moment, s

a's small rented cottage. She sat on the couch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, staring out at the raging storm. She co

e had spent the last year doing just that, burying her hurt beneath layers of work and professionalis

lab early, hoping to get a head start on her work. She had barely unlocked the door when she heard footsteps

id, his voice gr

tching him carefully. "Every

it blew through quick

o say more, then finally spoke. "

eyebrow, surpr

the storm caused a bit of a mess. Some of the fishermen reported damage to the reefs, an

nch or just a professional request. Either way, it intrig

boat, a sturdy vessel that looked as though it had weathered more than its fair share of storms. As they boa

as he started the engine.

coast. The wind whipped through her hair, and the salt spray from the ocean clung to her skin. It

y the storm, debris scattered across the ocean floor. Elena's heart sank at the sight. This was exactly what her

that overlooked the damaged reef. Elena knelt, examining the extent of the destruct

ession unreadable. "It'll take a

ised by the quiet conviction i

ocean. "Because I've seen it before. The ocean has a way of h

n them. Elena realized then that he wasn't just talking about the reef. He was ta

ean, then," Elena said softly.

en them. And in that moment, Elena knew that whatever

confidence, but Elena could sense a shift in the air between them. She had seen a side of him today that

e. "You should come by the harbour more often.

faintly. "M

offering her a hand to help her off. His touch was brief but

id, his tone back to its usual

rmen and dock workers. She should have felt relieved, ready to dive back into her work. But i

t the only thing in n