The One I Didn't See Coming

The one I didn’t see coming

Stephen Tex

Copyright Information

Copyright © [2024] by Stephen Tex. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in reviews or critical articles.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Publisher Information

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Published by Stephen Tex

For more information or inquiries, contact:

[email protected]

+254 712 457 958

This edition published in 2024 by Draft2Digital.

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Legal Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this work; however, they assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. The reader is advised to verify information independently if this work is used for purposes other than entertainment.

This book is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether legal, medical, psychological, or other. Readers should seek the services of a qualified professional for such advice or information.

Dedication

This novel is dedicated to the lovers of stories that sweep you away, to those who dive into tales of love, loss, and redemption with open hearts and minds. To the dreamers who stay up late, turning pages, savoring each twist and turn, and to the readers who believe in the power of connection and the beauty of unexpected love—this story is for you. Thank you for keeping the magic of storytelling alive, one novel at a time.

Table of Contents

Copyright Information

Publisher Information

Legal Disclaimer

Dedication

Act 1: Beginnings and First Impressions

Chapter 1: A New Start

Chapter 2: Unlikely Encounters

Part 1: Unlikely Bonds

Part 2: Dinner and Decisions

Chapter 3: Unexpected Chemistry

Part 1: Secrets Unveiled

Part 2: The Past That Won’t Let Go

Act 2: Building Bonds and Facing Vulnerabilities

Chapter 4: The Unspoken Truths

Part 1: The Weight of the Past

Part 2: Facing the Truth

Chapter 5: Shattered Illusions

Part 1: The Secrets Beneath

Part 2: The Unraveling Truth

Chapter 6: Crossing the Line

Part 1: The Echoes of Silence

Part 2: The Weight of Unspoken Truths

Chapter 7: A Love Reborn

Part 1: Shattered Walls

Part 2: The Reckoning

Chapter 8: Uncharted Waters

Part 1: The Storm Within

Part 2: The Reckoning

Act 3: Closer Than Ever and Rising Tensions

Chapter 9: The Tides of Change

Part 1: Rebuilding Bridges

Part 2: Unveiling the Truth

Chapter 10: The Calm Before the Storm

Part 1: The Weight of Silence

Part 2: The Unraveling

Chapter 11: The Echo of Choices

Part 1: The Aftermath

Part 2: Unraveling the Past

Chapter 12: Breaking the Silence

Part 1: Shattered Moments

Part 2: The Choices We Make

Chapter 13: Unspoken Truths

Part 1: The Quiet Before the Storm

Part 2: The Storm Breaks

Act 4: The Heartbreak and Healing

Chapter 14: A Turning Point

Chapter 15: A Period of Distance

Chapter 16: The Tides of Time

A Moment of Realization

The Tides of Time (Part 2)

Act 5: The Reunion and Happily Ever After

Chapter 17: The Healing Touch (The Reunion)

(Part 2)

Chapter 18: A Crossroad of Hearts

(Part 1)

(Part 2)

Chapter 19: The Moment Before Dawn

(Part 1)

(Part 2)

Chapter 20: The Path We Choose

Chapter 21: The Breaking Point

Chapter 22: Crossing the Point of No Return

Chapter 23: Together, Despite the Storm

Part 1: The Morning

Part 2: New Beginnings

Epilogue

Afterword

About the Author

Prologue

What if love was the one thing you never saw coming, but also the one thing you couldn’t escape?

For Emily, it was the last thing she ever expected. After years of heartbreak and betrayal, she had convinced herself that love was simply not in the cards for her. No more dreams of fairy tales or happily-ever-afters. She had buried herself in her work, finding solace in her independence, shutting out everything that could hurt her. But then, Liam walked into her life, and nothing would ever be the same again.

He wasn’t supposed to be the one. He was too complicated, too wounded, and yet, something about him made her question everything she thought she knew about love. Liam, with his quiet strength, his dark eyes that seemed to see into her soul, and a past that haunted him—he stirred something in Emily that she thought she had buried long ago.

Liam, on the other hand, had always believed that love could heal all wounds. But as he fell deeper for Emily, he realized that even the strongest of hearts could shatter. He wanted to believe in the power of love, in the promise of redemption, but the shadows of his past were never far behind, threatening to unravel everything they were building.

As Emily and Liam’s connection deepened, so did the secrets they both kept—secrets that had the power to tear them apart. The harder they fought to hold on to what they shared, the more the world around them seemed determined to pull them in different directions. Lies, betrayals, and the ghosts of their pasts began to surface, dragging them into a web of passion and pain.

In this moment of intense uncertainty, as the weight of their fears and desires hung heavy in the air, Emily couldn’t help but wonder—could love truly heal them both, or would it only deepen the scars that each of them carried? The world they knew was crumbling, but in each other, they found a strange kind of solace. The question remained—was it too late to rewrite their story, to escape the chains of their past, and find the second chance at happiness they both secretly yearned for? This was the beginning of something they both never saw coming.

The One I Didn’t See Coming is a journey into the depths of passion, fear, and the kind of love that is anything but simple. It’s the kind of love that tests you, breaks you, and ultimately, redeems you. But it is also the kind of love that demands everything—trust, vulnerability, and above all, the courage to take the leap into the unknown. With every twist, every revelation, Emily and Liam must confront the choices that will define their future. Will they rise above the lies and betrayals, or will they let their love slip through their fingers? The stakes have never been higher, and their journey is only just beginning

Act 1: Beginnings and First Impressions

Chapter 1: A New Start

Emily could feel the weight of the past few months pressing down on her shoulders like a thick, suffocating blanket. The breakup had been brutal, ripping through the carefully constructed walls she’d built around her heart. She had been in love. Or at least, she thought she had been. The reality, as it turned out, was far more painful than she’d ever imagined. The heartache had faded to a dull throb, but the scars lingered, tucked away in the corners of her mind. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t let another person get close enough to hurt her again. She’d sworn off love, at least for now. There was too much at stake. Too much to rebuild. After years of giving herself completely to someone who couldn’t value her, she had vowed that no one would ever again hold that much power over her heart. But as she stood in the middle of her new apartment, staring at the boxes stacked against the walls, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. The apartment was everything she had hoped for: modern, with wide windows that let the sunlight pour in, and just enough space to feel like it could be hers. Still, something felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but it was like there was an empty space inside her—like she had moved to this city to escape her past, but now that she was here, she wasn’t sure where she was supposed to go next. Emily sighed and sank down onto the couch. She had always been a planner, always made sure that everything was in its place, that everything had a purpose. But now, nothing felt certain. The city was vast, full of unfamiliar faces and distant dreams, and she wondered if she would ever truly feel at home here.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her reverie. It was a message from Mia, her new neighbor and the first person who had actually made her feel welcome since moving in.

Hey! We’re having a little get-together at my place tonight. You should come, I’d love to introduce you to some friends. It’s been way too quiet since you moved in!

Emily hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. The idea of socializing made her feel nervous. She hadn’t exactly come to the city to make new friends, but Mia had been so kind, and Emily didn’t want to seem rude.

Just one hour. It’ll be fine, she told herself.

She typed back a quick reply: I’ll be there. See you soon.

An hour later, Emily found herself standing in front of Mia’s apartment, her heart racing. The soft hum of voices floated through the door, and she took a deep breath before knocking. Mia opened the door with a bright smile and a welcoming gesture, and Emily was immediately swept inside. The apartment was cozy and inviting, filled with soft lighting, comfortable furniture, and the faint scent of vanilla candles. A small group of people was gathered around the kitchen island, laughing and chatting as they sipped wine. The atmosphere was warm, and Emily could feel herself relaxing just a little.

Emily, you made it! Mia exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. You look gorgeous!

Emily smiled, grateful for the compliment. She didn’t feel gorgeous—she felt a little out of place, like she was trying too hard to fit into a life she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted. But she would play along. For tonight, at least. After a few introductions, Emily found herself talking to a woman named Clara, who was sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of red wine. Clara was bubbly and easy to talk to, and they quickly fell into conversation. They laughed about silly things, and for the first time in weeks, Emily felt a spark of something like hope. Maybe this city wasn’t so bad after all. But just as she started to relax, the door opened, and in walked a man—a tall, broad-shouldered figure with dark hair that looked effortlessly tousled and eyes that held a glint of mischief. He wore a leather jacket that looked like it had been made for him, and his presence immediately shifted the energy in the room. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene with a casual glance before his gaze landed on Emily. For a brief second, their eyes locked. The world seemed to hold its breath, and Emily felt an unfamiliar flutter in her chest. She quickly looked away, trying to ignore the way her heart seemed to beat a little faster.

Liam, Mia called out from the kitchen, breaking the tension. Come join us! We’re just getting started.

Liam nodded and walked toward the group, but Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that he had noticed her in a way that was different from everyone else. She tried to push the thought away, but it lingered, like a soft whisper in the back of her mind. As the evening wore on, Emily found herself caught between moments of laughter and uncomfortable silence, her thoughts drifting back to the man who had walked in so casually, so confidently. She hadn’t expected to feel drawn to anyone—not after what had happened with David, her ex. But there was something about Liam. Something that made her curious. As the night came to a close, Mia suggested that they all head to a nearby bar. Emily wasn’t sure if she was up for it, but she didn’t want to seem like a party pooper. She grabbed her jacket and followed the group outside, where the crisp air hit her face and the distant sounds of the city buzzed in the background. Liam fell into step beside her, his presence just as noticeable as it had been inside the apartment. She tried not to make eye contact, but it was difficult not to feel his energy, the way his every movement seemed deliberate and confident.

I didn’t think you’d come out tonight, he said, his voice low and smooth. You seemed... like you had other plans.

Emily raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to respond. I didn’t, she said quietly. I just wasn’t sure if I’d fit in.

He chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "I