CHAPTER 12

The Anonymous Warning

The envelope sat on my doorstep like a warning I hadn't asked for.

At first, I thought it was some misplaced piece of mail, maybe a flyer until I picked it up. The paper was thick and expensive. There was no address and no sender. Just my name, written in precise, deliberate strokes.

A strange chill ran through me.

I stepped inside, locking the door behind me as if that could somehow keep out whatever this was. My hands were steady when I slid my finger under the flap, but as I pulled out the note, my breath hitched.

"You're not the only one in his life."

The words were written in bold, slanted handwriting, the ink slightly smudged at the edges. It wasn't typed. Someone had taken the time to write this by hand.

I sat down slowly, my fingers tightening around the paper as a sharp, cold weight settled in my stomach.

What the hell was this? A prank? A cruel joke? Or something worse—something real?

I read it again. And again.

My pulse pounded in my ears, my mind spinning.

Alex.

I grabbed my phone before I could talk myself out of it. He had left so abruptly last night, and now this?

I hit call.

The phone rang. Once. Twice.

Then, his voice was smooth and controlled. "Sophia?"

I inhaled sharply. "Where are you?"

A pause. "In a meeting. What's wrong?"

I hesitated. Was I overreacting? Was this some stupid game someone was playing? But then I thought about the way Alex had dodged my questions last night, the way he had walked out without a real explanation.

"I got something in the mail," I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

He didn't speak for a moment. "What kind of something?"

I clenched my fingers around the note. "A warning. About you."

Another pause. Longer this time. "Sophia, what does that mean?"

"It means someone thinks I should know that I'm not the only woman in your life."

Silence.

I waited, barely breathing.

Then he exhaled a sharp, frustrated sound. "Jesus, Sophia. Who sent it?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't be calling you, would I?" I snapped, pacing now. "Does this mean anything to you?"

"No." His answer came quickly, firm. Too firm. "It's bullshit. Probably some jealous ex trying to get in your head."

I frowned. "Ex? Who?"

"I don't know. It doesn't matter." His voice shifted, gentler now. "Baby, people talk. They lie. Someone's just trying to stir up drama. You know how it is."

But did I?

I wanted to believe him. I really did.

But something about his tone—like he was too calm, too dismissive—made my skin prickle.

"Look, I'll handle it," he said. "Throw the note away. Forget about it."

Forget about it.

Just like that?

"I have to go," he added. "I'll call you later."

The line went dead before I could argue.

I stood there, staring at my phone, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Forget about it? No chance in hell.

I grabbed my keys and headed out.

---

Julia was already waiting when I arrived at the café, her blonde hair pulled into a loose bun, a concerned look in her blue eyes.

"I ordered you tea," she said, sliding the cup toward me the moment I sat down. "You look like you need it."

I pushed the note across the table instead. "Read this."

She picked it up, her expression tightening as she scanned the words. Then she looked at me. "What the actual hell?"

I let out a shaky breath. "I have no idea who sent it. I called Alex, and he said to ignore it."

Her eyes narrowed. "And you believe him?"

I hesitated.

That was the problem. I didn't know.

She placed the note down carefully, smoothing out the edges. "Okay. Let's break this down. If this is a joke, it's a sick one. If it's real, then… we need to figure out who sent it."

We. That was why I had come here. Because Julia didn't believe in leaving things alone. And maybe, deep down, I didn't either.

"You don't think I'm overreacting?" I asked.

She scoffed. "Soph, someone handwrote this and delivered it to your doorstep. That's not overreacting. That's having basic survival instincts."

I rubbed my temples. "God. What if it's nothing?"

Her lips pressed together. "And what if it's not?"

The thought made my stomach twist.

"Look," she continued, tapping a manicured nail against the table. "You need answers. And Alex? He's acting like he has nothing to hide, but is he actually giving you anything real?"

I swallowed hard. "No."

"Then maybe it's time we do some digging."

My breath caught.

We. Digging.

That meant stepping into dangerous territory. That meant questioning things I wasn't sure I was ready to question.

Julia leaned forward, her voice softer now. "I know you love him. But love shouldn't make you blind."

I looked away.

"Just think about it," she said gently.

I sat there, tea growing cold in my hands, the note still sitting between us.

The truth was, I already had my answer.

I just wasn't sure I wanted to hear it.