Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTR1XXK53375XYF2EEBBTBY

Aurora Carter slid onto a stool at the end of the bar, the worn leather creaking beneath her. She signaled the bartender, a lanky young man with a messy beard, for a gin and tonic. As he expertly mixed her drink, her eyes wandered around the dimly lit room, taking in the familiar sights of The Raven's Nest. The walls, adorned with old maps and black-and-white photographs, seemed to whisper stories of their own. The air was thick with the smell of whiskey and worn wood. Just as the bartender handed her the drink, a figure emerged from the crowd, his eyes locking onto hers with an unnerving intensity. Aurora's heart skipped a beat as she realized who it was – Evan, her ex-boyfriend from Cardiff. The one she'd fled from, leaving behind a trail of broken glass and shattered dreams. Evan's gaze held hers for what felt like an eternity before he finally smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The smile was a little too wide, a little too forced, but it was still the same charming smile that had once disarmed her so completely. "Aurora Carter," he said, his voice low and smooth as he slid onto the stool beside her. "Long time no see." Aurora raised an eyebrow, her mind racing to catch up. "Evan. I didn't know you were in London." "I'm full of surprises," he said, signaling the bartender for a whiskey. "What about you? What brings you to this fine establishment?" The bartender, sensing the tension between them, wisely kept his distance, busying himself with polishing a mug. Aurora took a sip of her drink, the gin burning a path down her throat. "Just grabbing a drink after work. I live above the bar, actually." Evan's eyes lit up with interest. "No kidding? You're living the high life, aren't you?" She shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off the stool. "It's not so bad. I work part-time at a restaurant down the street. Deliveries, mostly." Evan's gaze roved over her face, taking in the small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist. For a moment, Aurora thought she saw a flicker of something – regret, maybe, or remorse – but it was quickly extinguished, replaced by his usual charming smile. "You look great, Rory," he said, his voice a little too soft. "You always were beautiful, but there's something about you now... you seem more at peace." Aurora raised an eyebrow, unsure how to respond. The truth was, she'd spent years trying to escape the memories of their time together, to outrun the shadows that had followed her from Cardiff to London. But seeing Evan now, she was struck by how much he'd changed. The sharp jawline was softer, the eyes less bright, and the once-chiseled features now seemed worn, as if the weight of time had finally caught up with him. "Evan, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice a little sharper than she'd intended. He leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I'm working on a project. A startup, actually. We're looking to revolutionize the way people think about sustainable energy." Aurora's eyes narrowed. "That sounds very... you." Evan chuckled, the sound a little too loud. "Hey, someone's got to save the world, right?" As they talked, Aurora couldn't shake the feeling that Evan was hiding something, that there was more to his story than he was letting on. But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. The tension between them grew thicker, a living, breathing thing that pulsed with unspoken regret. They both knew that their past was a minefield, one misstep away from disaster. But they danced around it, their conversation a delicate ballet of avoiding the truth. At one point, Evan reached out, his hand brushing against hers. The touch sent a spark of electricity through Aurora's body, but she quickly pulled her hand away, her heart racing. "I'm sorry," Evan said, his voice low. "I didn't mean to overstep." Aurora took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto his. "It's fine, Evan. I just... I need some space, okay?" The music in the bar seemed to swell, the notes crashing against the silence between them. For a moment, Aurora thought she saw a glimmer of understanding in Evan's eyes, a flicker of the boy she'd once known. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by the charming smile she'd grown to distrust. As the night wore on, the conversation flowed like a river, twisting and turning through topics both safe and treacherous. Aurora found herself laughing, her guard dropping in spite of herself. But every so often, she'd catch Evan's gaze, and the weight of their past would come crashing down, a cold, hard reality that neither of them could escape. It was Silas, the owner of The Raven's Nest, who finally broke the spell, his presence a welcome respite from the tension. He limped over to their table, his hazel eyes twinkling with warmth. "Rory, love, I see you've got company," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. Aurora smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward Silas. "Just catching up with an old friend, Si." Silas's gaze flickered to Evan, his expression unreadable. "Well, I won't interrupt. But Rory, love, you know you're always welcome to a room in the back if you need some space." Aurora's eyes met Silas's, a silent understanding passing between them. She nodded, her heart still racing from the encounter. As Silas limped away, Evan turned to her, his smile faltering for a moment. "I should probably get going," he said, his voice a little softer. Aurora nodded, feeling a mix of relief and trepidation. "Yeah, maybe that's for the best." Evan slid off the stool, his eyes locking onto hers one last time. "Take care of yourself, Rory," he said, his voice low. "You deserve it." And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd like a ghost. Aurora watched him go, her mind reeling with the weight of their past, the unspoken regret that still lingered between them like a challenge.