Chapter 52 – A Moment Without Noise
The streets of Manchester were still damp, glistening under the orange glow of the old streetlamps. Rain had come and gone , leaving behind a chilled hush. No crowds now. No chants. No booming stadiums. Just the soft hum of traffic and the occasional rustle of wind through bare branches.
Nathan parked on the corner and stepped out of the car. He wore a simple black hoodie, no branding, no attention-grabbing details—just enough to disappear. For once, he didn't want to be seen. Not by fans, not by reporters, not by anyone chasing the next headline.
Just by her.
He looked across the street.
The café was quiet—tucked into the corner . Warm light spilled through the windows, painting the pavement with gold. The kind of place you'd miss if you weren't looking for it. But he was. He always had been.
She was already there.
Lauren.
