Shadows of the Past

Thea sat at her desk, absently twirling a pen between her fingers, lost in thought. The conversation with Professor Brown had left her with more questions than answers, and Adrian's cryptic warning still echoed in her mind. Something about all of this felt off, as if she were walking through a carefully woven web of secrets.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her trance. She reached for it, expecting a message from Silvia or perhaps another snide remark from Adrian. Instead, an unfamiliar number flashed on the screen.

**Unknown Number:** *Tell your fiancé to stay away from Clara.*

Thea's breath caught in her throat. Fiancé? Andrew? Her heart pounded as she reread the message, anger quickly bubbling to the surface.

Who the hell was this?

Before she could respond, a second message followed.

**Unknown Number:** *This is the only warning. Keep him away from her.*

A chill ran down her spine. Whoever this was, they weren't bluffing. Without wasting another second, she dialed Andrew.

He picked up on the first ring. "Thea?"

"Who the hell have you pissed off this time?" she demanded, skipping the pleasantries. "I just got a message from someone telling me to keep my 'fiancé' away from Clara."

A beat of silence, then Andrew exhaled sharply. "Damn it."

Thea clenched her jaw. "So, you do know who this is?"

"It's Clara's ex-boyfriend." His voice was tight, laced with frustration. "He's been harassing her for weeks now."

Thea's grip on the phone tightened. "Weeks? And you didn't think to mention this?"

"I didn't think it mattered," Andrew admitted. "She's not with him anymore, and there's nothing going on between us."

Thea let out a humorless laugh. "Nothing going on? Then why is he convinced you're involved?"

"I have no idea," he said firmly. "He's delusional. Clara is single, Thea. She left him for a reason."

Thea inhaled deeply, trying to process the information. She had no reason not to trust Andrew, but something about this still didn't sit right.

"Do you believe me?" Andrew's voice softened.

She hesitated, then sighed. "I don't know what to believe right now, Andrew."

Before he could respond, another call beeped in. Thea glanced at the screen—her mother.

"I have to go," she murmured. "We'll talk later."

She switched calls. "Mom?"

"Thea, darling!" Her mother's warm voice filled her ears, instantly soothing some of her frustration. "I was just wondering if you're coming home for your birthday?"

Thea leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. "I don't think I can, Mom. I'm swamped with work."

A disappointed sigh came from the other end. "You haven't been home in months, sweetheart. We miss you. Your father keeps asking about you, and your brothers are planning something special."

Guilt settled in Thea's chest. She loved her family deeply, and they had always treated her like a princess. But right now, with everything going on, she couldn't afford to get distracted.

"I know, Mom," she said softly. "I miss you all too. But I really can't get away right now."

Her mother was silent for a moment, then her voice turned teasing. "Does this have anything to do with Andrew?"

Thea groaned. "Mom, please."

"Oh, come on. You know your father and I have always liked him."

Thea smiled despite herself. "I know you have."

"Well, think about it, darling. We'd love to have you home."

"I will," Thea promised, even though she already knew her answer.

As she ended the call, she stared at her phone, a strange unease settling over her. Between the message from Clara's ex, Andrew's reassurance, and her mother's gentle prodding, everything felt like it was building up to something.

And Thea had a feeling she wasn't going to like what came next.