Shadows of the Past

Unsettled Silence

Emma couldn't sleep.

Hours had passed since Victoria left, but her words still echoed in her mind.

"Let's not pretend this is something real."

She turned over in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Beside her, Alexander lay still, his breathing deep and steady.

He looked completely unaffected.

But she wasn't fooled.

Victoria's sudden arrival wasn't an accident.

Emma's gut told her that much.

And yet—

Alexander hadn't explained.

Hadn't reassured her.

Hadn't said anything at all.

She hated how much that bothered her.

—

Morning Tension

When Emma woke up, Alexander was already gone.

A note was left on the bedside table.

"Meet me downstairs for breakfast. Don't be late. —A"

Emma sighed, rubbing her temples.

It wasn't a sweet note.

It wasn't romantic.

It was Alexander.

Direct. Commanding. Unapologetic.

Still, she got up, changed into a casual dress, and made her way downstairs.

The scent of fresh coffee filled the air.

Alexander was sitting at the dining table, scrolling through his phone.

He didn't look up when she entered.

Emma sat across from him.

"You left early."

Alexander nodded. "Business."

Emma waited.

But he didn't say anything else.

No explanation.

No mention of Victoria.

Frustration bubbled inside her.

"Are we going to talk about last night?" she asked.

Alexander finally looked up.

His sharp blue eyes locked onto hers.

"There's nothing to talk about."

Emma's stomach twisted.

"That's a lie."

Alexander set his phone down.

"You're upset."

"No kidding."

His lips curled slightly. "Jealous?"

Emma scoffed.

"This isn't funny, Alexander."

"I wasn't joking."

Emma's chest tightened.

"Who is she to you?" she demanded.

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

"She's the past."

Emma's pulse spiked.

"Then why did she look at me like I was a mistake?"

Alexander exhaled.

"Because she doesn't like losing."

Emma swallowed.

"And what exactly did she lose?"

Alexander's gaze darkened.

"Me."

—

The Truth About Victoria

Emma's heart pounded.

"You were engaged."

Alexander nodded.

"A long time ago."

Emma exhaled.

"And now?"

Alexander's expression didn't change.

"Now, she's nothing to me."

Emma studied him.

Tried to find cracks in his mask.

"You don't sound very convincing."

Alexander smirked.

"Does that bother you?"

Emma's stomach twisted.

"Answer the question."

Alexander sighed.

"Victoria was a mistake. One I corrected years ago."

Emma bit her lip.

"Then why is she back now?"

Alexander's jaw tightened.

"Because she doesn't know how to stay gone."

A shiver ran down Emma's spine.

—

A Warning Unspoken

Alexander took a sip of coffee, then set the cup down.

"She's not your problem."

Emma frowned.

"I think she disagrees."

Alexander's gaze hardened.

"She won't touch you."

Emma believed him.

But that didn't mean she felt safe.

Victoria was dangerous.

Not in the way her mother was—

But in a way that made Emma's instincts scream.

Something told her this wasn't over.

Not even close.

—

Unwanted Encounters

Later that afternoon, Emma decided to clear her head.

She went out for a walk, enjoying the crisp air.

But then—

"Well, if it isn't Alexander's little project."

Emma froze.

She turned—

And saw Victoria.

Standing near the café entrance.

Looking bored.

Emma's stomach tightened.

"Are you following me?"

Victoria smirked.

"Relax, sweetheart. This is just a coincidence."

Emma didn't believe her.

Not for a second.

Victoria stepped closer.

"You're cute. But you and I both know you don't belong in Alexander's world."

Emma's fingers clenched.

"I'm not leaving him."

Victoria laughed.

"Oh, honey. You don't have to. He'll do it for you."

Emma's breath caught.

Victoria's smile widened.

"You're just a temporary distraction."

Emma's pulse pounded.

But she didn't let it show.

Instead, she smiled.

Calm. Steady.

"You sound scared, Victoria."

Victoria's expression flickered.

For just a second.

Then she laughed.

"Scared? Of you?"

Emma tilted her head.

"If you weren't, you wouldn't be here."

Victoria's smile vanished.

But Emma didn't wait for her to respond.

She turned and walked away.

Leaving Victoria seething.

—

A Promise Sealed

That evening, Emma told Alexander what happened.

He didn't react.

Didn't show a single trace of emotion.

But his grip on his glass tightened.

"She approached you?"

Emma nodded.

Alexander exhaled.

Then—

"She won't do it again."

Emma swallowed.

"What are you going to do?"

Alexander smirked.

"Whatever it takes."

Emma shivered.

She knew what that meant.

What Alexander Kingston was capable of.

And yet—

She wasn't scared.

Not of him.

Because deep down, she knew—

She was his.

And he would burn the world before letting anyone take her away.