*Chapter 11: The Shadow*

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I drove through the city toward my parents' house without calling ahead. I didn't want to explain anything. Not yet.

A soft country song played through the speakers—*"Better Man" by Little Big Town.* It was calm, soothing… a quiet contrast to the storm swirling in my head.

Then I saw it.

A black car.

It had been behind me for several blocks. Took every turn I took. Slowed when I slowed. Matched every stoplight.

My heart leapt into my throat.

What the hell?

Who would be following me?

Josh?

No—he didn't drive an Audi. At least, not when I knew him.

So… who?

The person behind the flash drive?

Someone connected to Josh?

Or something else entirely?

I instinctively rested my hand on my belly.

On my baby.

Panic crept up my spine.

I pressed down on the gas.

The car behind me accelerated too.

My eyes stayed glued to the rearview mirror, heart pounding louder than the music.

This wasn't paranoia.

This was real.

And whoever they were...

They weren't backing off.

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I swerved off the main road, heading for a gas station. I didn't plan to stop—I just needed people around. Cameras. Witnesses. Anything that might make them hesitate.

But the Audi didn't follow.

It slowed.

Paused.

Then turned away, like it had never been there.

I parked, breathing hard. My hands still gripped the wheel. Eyes glued to the mirror.

Gone.

Just like that.

I didn't know who they were.

But they knew *me*.

And now, they knew where I was going.

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I couldn't think.

Couldn't breathe.

My whole body shook—tight with fear, frozen by something I didn't understand.

I turned around.

I couldn't go to my parents'.

I wouldn't risk dragging them into this.

Not with the baby.

Not with someone out there watching me like prey.

I clenched the steering wheel so hard my fingers ached.

And I drove.

No music.

No words.

Just the sound of my tires and the deafening silence wrapping around me.

The drive home felt longer.

Heavier.

Like I was carrying secrets too dangerous to name.

And every second, I felt it—

The sense that someone, somewhere, was still watching.

Still waiting.

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I got home, parked the car, and dashed inside like something—or someone—was chasing me.

I spotted my neighbor across the street, but I couldn't even manage a wave.

My morning smile was gone.

My confidence? Swept away like dust in the wind.

I climbed the stairs, stripped down, and threw on the first thing I could find—a soft, sleeveless gown that hugged me just enough to feel human.

I collapsed onto the bed and closed my eyes.

I don't know how long I lay there—thinking, spiraling—until my phone rang and jolted me upright.

I scrambled to check the screen.

But it wasn't a warning.

It wasn't Josh.

It was my boss.

Perfect.

I'd completely forgotten I had a presentation today.

Forgotten I even had a job.

Forgotten I had a *life*—a life outside Josh, outside fear, outside the nightmare I was trapped in.

I hadn't been to work in a week.

Too distracted. Too scared. Too consumed by him.

Now, reality was calling—and I was completely unprepared.

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My phone rang again.

I picked it up and heard Mr. James' voice—booming, sharp, and furious.

"Stephanie, where *are* you?!" he growled. No hello. No pause.

I froze. My throat dried up instantly.

"I—I'm on my way, sir," I replied, my voice trembling, barely above a whisper.

"You better be here in the next 30 minutes or consider yourself fired," he barked, then hung up.

Just like that.

I shot up from the bed like it was on fire, scrambling around the room in a panic. I searched for my laptop like a mad woman, tossing pillows and bags aside.

I finally found it, powered it on, and dove into the presentation. My fingers flew across the keyboard. My heart thudded in my ears.

In less than ten minutes, I'd pulled it together—maybe not perfect, but *passable*. Sharp. Professional.

I threw on a clean outfit, something formal but quick to wear, and bolted downstairs…

Only to remember—

I left my flash drive upstairs. The one with the actual presentation.

Cursing under my breath, I turned and dashed back up the stairs, my hand instinctively holding my belly.

The baby didn't need this stress.

But I didn't need to be jobless either.

I grabbed the flash drive, sprinted back down, and jumped into my car, praying I wouldn't crash from sheer adrenaline.

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