d like a warning I couldn't ignore. Every shadow in the room seemed to st

w tight. He was tense-more than I'd ever seen him. And for the fir

acing the small living room. "We can't just wa

ut whoever it is... they're smart. Careful. An

him. "About us? What do you m

ges, the urgency of the woman who came-there's something famil

ing to do with the mistakes I made? O

f it's someone from your p

ou realize. I thought I'd put all of it behind me.

r, and my heart screamed for him. I wanted to run. I w

mitted, my voice small. "I don't know

tic, impossible to resist. "I don't expect blind trust, Emma. I'm asking for a chance. One chance to pr

clawed at my chest, reminding me that someone

brated through the apartment, like electrici

my hand clutching his

rp and alert. "Yes. Stay close

our supposed safe space, felt vulnerable, exposed. Whoever ha

ling as I clutched his hand. "I...

id firmly. "Not while

desperately. But deep down, I knew it wasn't enough. Whoe

side the window. A figure, tall and hooded, watching. And for the first time si

as r

side the window. David immediately steppe

voice low but firm. Every muscle

features-just the outline of someone standing, watching us

is that?"

window slowly, careful not to alert the stranger. He pulle

on my hand tightened. "The one I warned

rop. "Gone? But...

I don't know. But I promise you, he wo

was creeping in, unrelenting. Someone from David's past... wa

my face. "We have to be careful. No one comes in, no one leaves.

"Together," I echoed, though a part of me q

ain. Another message. My fin

o leave him... or you'

nic. The message wasn't just a

lder. "That's not just a warning. They're try

"But why? What

from the world. "Emma, it's not you. It's me. Something from my past... somet

tearing through me. I wanted to run. I wanted to fight. And I wa

e. Not the polite knock of a visitor... this

knob. "Don't move," he said. "Emma... stay b

ned the door just a crack. Outsi

ce I would never forget, col

a long time. And n