"A Ghost from the Past"
Elena barely had time to process the aftermath of their interview before the storm hit.
The headlines spread like wildfire—
"A Perfect Lying or a Perfect Match?" "Elena Carter: The Woman Who Tamed Nicholas Blackwell"
Her inbox was overflowing with inquiries from the media, messages from social media, and even rumors from fans about their relationship. But what caught her breath was a single email.
Subject: We need to talk.
From: Liam Harper.
Her fingers trembled.
Liam.
Her ex-boyfriend.
---
The Call That Changes Everything
Nicholas was in his home office when he heard Elena's sharp intake of breath from the living room.
He turned just in time to see her staring at her phone, her face pale.
"What is that?" His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge of concern beneath it.
Elena hesitated. "It's… nothing."
Nicholas's gaze darkened. "Try again."
She sighed, gripping her phone. "It's Liam. He—he wants to meet."
His jaw clenched. "Who the hell is Liam?"
She swallowed. "My ex."
A tense silence filled the space between them.
Then—Nicholas took a slow, measured step toward her. "And what does your ex want?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But I have a feeling it's not good."
Nicholas's expression didn't change, but something about him shifted—a quiet, lethal intensity settling over him.
"You're not going alone."
Elena's eyes widened. "I can handle this."
Nicholas's voice was smooth, yet firm. "Not up for debate."
Her heart stuttered.
He wasn't asking—he was deciding.
---
A Meeting with the Past
The next day, Elena sat at a corner booth in a quiet café, her pulse hammering as Liam slid into the seat across from her.
He had sharp blue eyes and brown hair that was tousled, and his appearance was almost identical. However, something new about his smile was the smugness. "Elena," he greeted, leaning back. "It's been a while."
She forced a polite nod. "Why did you ask to meet?"
Liam's gaze flickered past her, his smirk widening. "Ah. You brought backup."
Elena stiffened up and then looked behind her. Nicholas stood near the café entrance, watching—his expression unreadable, but his presence impossible to ignore.
Liam chuckled. "So, the billionaire husband is real after all."
Elena's patience thinned. "Liam, just say what you need to say."
His smirk faded. "I came to warn you."
She frowned. "Warn me?"
Liam leaned in slightly. "You don't know who you married, Elena."
Her stomach twisted, but she kept her expression neutral. "And you do?"
"I know Nicholas Blackwell isn't the saint he pretends to be," Liam said, lowering his voice. "He's dangerous. Ruthless. People who get too close to him always get burned."
Elena clenched her fists. "And yet, you suddenly care about me? After years of silence?"
Liam's jaw tightened. "I heard about the marriage and—"
"—And you saw an opportunity to dig up dirt?" she snapped.
Liam exhaled, leaning back. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I can take care of myself."
Liam studied her for a long moment. "Then I guess we'll see how long you last."
Before Elena could respond, a shadow loomed over the table.
Nicholas.
Liam's smirk returned, but Nicholas's cold gaze didn't waver.
Nicholas said, his voice soft but sharp enough to cut, "Harper." Liam feigned innocence. "Mr. Blackwell. It's nice of you to be here. Nicholas didn't blink. "You have exactly ten seconds to walk away."
Elena's breath caught.
Liam chuckled. "Protective, aren't we?"
Nicholas's voice dropped dangerously low. "I don't repeat myself."
A tense silence stretched.
Then—Liam held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Message received."
He turned to Elena, his expression unreadable. "Take care, Elena."
And with that, he walked away.
Elena let out a shaky breath. "That was—"
"—A waste of time," Nicholas finished, watching Liam disappear.
Elena turned to him. "You didn't have to threaten him."
Nicholas's gaze met hers, dark and unwavering. "I don't threaten anyone." A chill ran down her spine.
Because something told her that when it came to Nicholas Blackwell, that was the absolute truth.
---