Chapter 3
Secrets in the Sand
Julia’s POV
The rhythmic crash of the waves outside my window does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. I shouldn’t have come back. I shouldn’t have let myself believe I could step into Seaside Bluff and just pick up where I left off.
Because the past never really stays buried.
I press my fingers to my temples, inhaling deeply, trying to shake the weight pressing against my chest. The letter Logan showed me last night still lingers in my mind.
LEAVE NOW, OR SHE PAYS THE PRICE.
Whoever sent it knows me.
And worse —they know about Lily.
I stare at the framed photo on my nightstand —Lily’s bright blue eyes, the same shade as Logan’s, staring up at me. She’s the very definition of sunshine, all wide grins and boundless energy, her little heart too pure for the world.
I should have told Logan.
Should have told him years ago.
Instead, I ran. I made a choice, one I thought was right at the time. Now, the weight of that decision sits heavy in my gut, a knot of regret and fear.
I swallow the lump in my throat and shake off the thoughts. I can’t let fear control me.
Lily is all that matters. Keeping her safe. Making sure she never has to know what kind of danger is creeping closer.
A glance at the clock tells me I’m late opening the dance studio. I let out a shaky breath and grab my bag. I just need to focus on the present.
Because if I let the past catch up to me, I don’t know if I’ll survive it.
The moment I step into the studio, a sense of comfort washes over me. The smell of polished wood and lavender lingers in the air. This place is supposed to be a fresh start.
I flick on the lights, the mirrors along the walls reflecting my weary expression. The wooden floors stretch before me, waiting. A space meant for movement, for escape.
Dancing has always been my safe haven. It’s where I find control, where my worries fade, where I can be me.
With a deep inhale, I kick off my shoes and let my body take over. I move through the space, the music playing only in my mind. My arms extend, my feet glide across the floor, and for the first time in days, my pulse slows.
Then—
CRACK.
The sharp sound of breaking glass shatters through the silence.
I freeze.
My breath catches as my eyes snap toward the front of the studio. A jagged hole splinters across the window, shards of glass littering the floor beneath it.
What the hell?
My pulse slams against my ribs as I take slow, cautious steps toward the damage. Outside, the street is empty, the late morning sun casting long shadows. There’s no sign of anyone.
I swallow hard, my skin prickling.
It could have been an accident. A stray rock. The wind.
But deep down, I know better.
The letter. The way I’ve felt watched since I came back.
This isn’t random.
A chill snakes down my spine as I back away from the broken glass. My heart hammers in my chest.
Then, the door swings open.
I jump, my hands clenching into fists, but then —
It’s Logan.
His presence fills the space, tall and imposing, his sharp green eyes scanning the room like he’s already assessed the danger. He looks from me to the shattered glass, then back to me.
“What the hell happened?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out at first. I don’t even know what to say.
“I—I don’t know,” I finally manage, my voice shaky. “It just happened.”
Logan moves past me, stepping toward the broken window, his expression grim. His shoulders are tense, his body locked down in that rigid, military-like stance that I remember all too well.
Without a word, he pulls his phone from his belt and calls it in.
The silence between us is thick. He doesn’t have to say anything —his frustration is radiating off him.
After a beat, he turns to me. “This isn’t a coincidence, Julia.”
I swallow hard. I want to argue. Tell him he’s overreacting.
But I know he isn’t.
His jaw ticks, and when he speaks again, his voice is low, controlled. Too controlled.
“You need to tell me what’s going on.”
I hesitate.
He sees it. His eyes flash with something between anger and hurt.
“Dammit, Julia,” he mutters, dragging a hand down his face. “Are you gonna let me help you or not?”
I inhale sharply, looking away. The problem is—I don’t know how to let him.
Because once I do, once I open that door, everything I’ve fought so hard to protect will come crashing down.
And Logan?
He might never forgive me once he learns the truth.
After the glass is cleaned up and the window is boarded, Logan follows me to my car.
“I’ll have my guys do extra patrols near the studio,” he says, his voice gruff. “But, Julia…”
I turn to look at him, my breath catching at the way his gaze lingers on me.
“You need to be careful.”
His words send a shiver through me. Not just because I know he’s right—but because for the first time in years, I don’t feel alone.
I nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “I will.”
He watches me for another long moment before stepping back, giving me space.
But just as I open my car door, I feel it again—that creeping sensation.
Like eyes are on me.
Like someone is waiting.
I shake it off and climb inside. I just need to get home to Lily.
By the time I pull into the driveway, my heart is still racing.
I rush up the steps, fumbling with my keys, eager to see Lily.
To hold her.
To make sure she’s safe.
But then—
I see it.
A folded piece of paper; slipped under my door.
My blood runs cold.
I bend down slowly, my fingers shaking as I pick it up. The edges are damp from the salty air, the ink smudged.
I don’t want to open it.
I don’t want to know what it says.
But I do.
And when I see the words scrawled in jagged black ink, my stomach drops.
YOU CAN’T HIDE HER FOREVER.
I stagger back, my breath rushing out of me.
My pulse thunders in my ears.
This isn’t just about me.
This is about Lily.
Someone knows.
And if they know about her…
They won’t stop until they get to her. My hands tremble as I clutch the note, my breath coming in shallow gasps. You can’t hide her forever.
The words burn into my mind, each letter like a blade slicing into my chest.
Someone knows.
A chill snakes down my spine as I scan the dimly lit street, my pulse hammering. The neighborhood is quiet — too quiet. The soft crash of waves beyond the dunes does nothing to soothe the raw panic clawing at my throat.
Who left this here?
How long were they standing on my porch, just feet away from where Lily sleeps?
I swallow hard, shoving the paper into my pocket as I yank open the door.
“I’m home.” “Nothing to report except that she’s an angel”, our college student neighbor says as she gathers her belongings and walks out. “Thank-you for watching her.”
“Of course.”
I drop my bag on the entry table and rush toward her bedroom. My breath catches as I push open the door—
And there she is, curled up beneath her blankets, her little face peaceful, lost in whatever sweet dreams six-year-olds have.
My knees almost buckle with relief.
I exhale shakily and lean against the doorframe, pressing a hand over my racing heart. She’s safe. She’s here.
But for how long?
I can’t let this happen again.
I move to her bedside and smooth a hand over her dark curls. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. My chest tightens as I stare at her, my beautiful, innocent daughter—the one secret I’ve spent years protecting.
A secret that isn’t safe anymore.
I blink back the sting of tears and quietly slip from her room, shutting the door behind me.
Then, I lock every damn window and door in this house.
I check them twice.
I turn on every porch light, making sure every shadow is illuminated. Whoever left that note was bold enough to come to my home. They know where I live.
And I can’t take any chances.
With my heart still pounding, I grab my phone and hover over Logan’s number.
I should call him.
I should.
He’s the sheriff. He’s trained for this. He would know what to do.
But if I involve Logan…
He’ll start asking questions.
And Lily’s secret will come out.
I close my eyes, exhaling slowly. The past is closing in, and I can feel the weight of my choices pressing against me.
I tuck my phone away without dialing.
Not yet.
Instead, I grab the note and read it again. The words feel even more ominous now.
You can’t hide her forever.
My stomach twists.
I’ve spent six years keeping her a secret from Logan, convinced it was the only way to protect her. But now, I have to wonder— Have I just put her in even more danger?
The next morning, I wake up with a plan.
I’m done being scared. Done running.
Lily chatters away as I get her ready for school, blissfully unaware that anything is wrong. I kiss her cheek as I drop her off, watching until she disappears into the building, her little pink backpack bouncing on her shoulders.
No one is taking her from me.
With that resolve steeling my spine, I drive straight to the studio. If whoever left that note thinks they can shake me, they’re wrong.
I pull into the parking lot, step out of my car—
And nearly jump out of my skin when I see Logan leaning against his patrol SUV, arms crossed, eyes locked on me like he can already see through my lies.
Damn him.
I force a breath, smoothing my hands down my jeans as I walk toward him. “Sheriff,” I say, keeping my voice even.
He doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink.
Then, his gaze flicks over me—assessing, scanning.
And I know.
He sees something’s wrong.
“Morning,” he finally says, his deep voice edged with something unreadable.
I tilt my chin up. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Came by to check on you.”
My stomach tightens. “Check on me?”
His jaw tics. “Yeah, someone broke the window in your studio yesterday. I shift my weight, folding my arms to keep from fidgeting.”
His eyes darken. “ Someone’s targeting you, Julia. That makes it my damn business.”
His words hit too close to home.
I swallow hard, looking away. “I don’t need a babysitter, Logan.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw. “I don’t give a damn what you think you need. I do my job. And right now, my job is making sure you’re not in danger.”
I hate how his protectiveness rattles me. How his presence—his closeness—makes me feel things I can’t afford to feel.
So I do what I always do.
I push.
“I can take care of myself,” I say, stepping past him. “I’ve been doing it for years.”
But before I can get inside, he moves.
Not touching me, but blocking my path.
His gaze pins me in place. “Julia.”
I hate the way my name sounds on his lips.
Hate that part of me still wants to hear it.
“Tell me the truth.” His voice is lower now, softer. “What aren’t you saying?”
For one fleeting second, I almost tell him.
Almost.
But then, I remember the note.
Remember why I came back to Seaside Bluff in the first place.
And I lie.
“Nothing,” I say, my voice steady. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His green eyes narrow, and I know he doesn’t believe me.
But after a long, tense beat, he steps aside.
“Fine,” he says, his voice sharp. “But when the time comes, and you realize you can’t handle this alone…”
His gaze burns into mine.
“Don’t expect me to pick up the pieces.”
The words sting, but I don’t let it show.
I just nod, forcing a smile, and walk inside my studio without looking back.
But as soon as I shut the door behind me, I let out a shaky breath.
Because deep down, I know—
This time, I can’t do this alone.
And that terrifies me more than anything.