Chapter 23 An Unexpected Visitor

• Natalie stood behind the counter of her cosmetics shop, gently arranging a display of new products. The shop had become her sanctuary, a place where she poured her heart and soul into creating something beautiful and meaningful. At seven months pregnant with twins, her life was a whirlwind of emotions and preparations, but the shop provided a sense of stability and purpose.
• The bell above the door chimed, and Natalie looked up to see a man she recognized but had never spoken to. Alex, one of her neighbors, stepped into the shop with a friendly smile. He was tall and well-built, with tousled brown hair and kind eyes that seemed to hold a world of stories.
• "Good afternoon," Alex greeted, his voice warm and inviting. "I’m Alex. I live a few houses down. I've walked past your shop countless times and thought it was about time I stopped in."