Chapter 2 A Stranger's Promise

The silence between them stretched, thick with tension. Emilia could still feel the ghost of Julian's touch on her skin, but it wasn't warmth that lingered-it was unease.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "Where are my parents?" she asked. "My friends? Shouldn't they be here?"

Julian's expression tightened, just for a second, before softening into something careful. "Your parents live overseas," he said. "I called them the moment you were admitted, but they couldn't fly in on such short notice."

Emilia frowned. That made sense... didn't it?

"And my friends?"

Julian hesitated.

"Things were complicated before the accident," he admitted. "You weren't close to many people anymore."

A sharp pang hit her chest. Was that true? Had she really been so alone?

She looked down at her hands, searching for familiarity in her own skin. It was terrifying-waking up and not knowing who she was outside of what this man told her.

Julian reached out, his fingers hovering just above hers. "I know this is overwhelming," he said gently. "But I promise, I'm here for you."

There was something about the way he said it that made her stomach twist.

I'm here for you.

It was meant to be reassuring. So why did it sound like a warning?

Emilia forced a smile, though it felt brittle on her lips. "I appreciate that, Julian," she murmured, pulling her hands into her lap.

His eyes flickered to the small movement, but he said nothing. Instead, he exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair, his sharp suit barely creasing as he crossed one leg over the other.

"You need rest," he said. "The doctors will run more tests tomorrow, and hopefully, your memory will start coming back soon."

She nodded, though the weight in her chest told her otherwise.

Julian rose from his seat and adjusted the cuffs of his jacket. "I'll be back first thing in the morning," he added, offering her a small smile. "Try to sleep, Emilia."

She watched as he left, his confident stride echoing in the quiet hospital room. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, she exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her temple.

Something about this entire situation didn't sit right with her.

Why did Julian feel like a stranger if they were supposed to be engaged? And why did the thought of being alone with him make her skin prickle-not in the way a lover's touch should, but in the way danger lurked in the dark?

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force a memory to surface. Anything. But her mind remained a foggy void.

A soft knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts.

Her heart leaped as a nurse peeked in, pushing a small cart with a tray of food. "Dinner, Miss Emilia," she said kindly.

Emilia nodded, offering a small smile in return. As the nurse set the tray down, she hesitated.

"I, um..." Emilia cleared her throat. "Do you know if anyone else came looking for me? Besides Julian?"

The nurse furrowed her brows. "No, dear. Just Mr. Cross. He's been here since the moment you were admitted."

Her stomach twisted.

So Julian had been the only one?

The nurse gave her a sympathetic look before walking toward the door. "If you need anything, just press the call button," she said with a smile before disappearing into the hallway.

Emilia stared at the untouched tray in front of her, appetite gone.

Julian had been the only one by her side since she woke up.

But what if... what if there was someone else she was supposed to remember? Someone who wasn't here?

Her fingers curled into the thin hospital blanket as a single thought took root in her mind.

What if Julian didn't want her to remember?

---

The quiet hum of the hospital at night was unsettling. Machines beeped rhythmically, and distant footsteps echoed through the hallway. Emilia lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, sleep far from her mind.

She turned onto her side, her body still weak from the accident, but the restlessness inside her was unbearable. She needed answers.

Her eyes landed on the bedside table, where a small black notebook sat. It hadn't been there earlier.

Her breath caught.

Slowly, she reached for it, fingers trembling as she flipped it open. The first few pages were blank. But then, in shaky handwriting, a single sentence stood out.

Don't trust him.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

She flipped the page, desperate for more. But that was it. No name, no explanation. Just three chilling words.

A rush of fear crawled up her spine. Who had written this? And why?

Her hands clenched around the notebook as her mind raced. If she had been alone in this hospital room, then that meant someone had left it while she was asleep.

Or worse-while Julian had been here.

A sharp knock at the door made her gasp, and she shoved the notebook under her blanket.

The door creaked open, and Julian stepped inside.

"You're still awake?" His voice was smooth, but his eyes flicked to her hands as if he knew she was hiding something.

Emilia forced a tired smile. "Just thinking."

Julian's lips curved slightly, but his gaze remained sharp. "About what?"

About whether or not I can trust you.

But she couldn't say that. So she just shook her head. "Nothing important."

Julian studied her for a moment longer before stepping closer. "I told you to rest." His tone was light, but there was something behind it-something possessive.

Emilia nodded, lying back against the pillows. "I will."

He watched her for a moment before reaching out and brushing his fingers over her forehead in what was supposed to be an affectionate gesture. "Good girl."

Her skin crawled.

Julian straightened, his smile never faltering. "I'll see you in the morning, sweetheart."

She didn't respond.

The moment he left, she pulled the notebook from under the blanket and pressed it to her chest, heart pounding.

Someone out there wanted to warn her.

And deep down, she knew Julian Cross was keeping secrets.