Chapter 2 THE SHADOW DRAWING CLOSER

1. NADINE

Nadine walked alone through the nearly empty campus corridor. The sun was already setting in the west, leaving a golden glow reflected on the tall glass windows. Her own shadow stretched across the marble floor, but what made her shiver wasn't her reflection-it was the feeling of being watched.

Again.

The feeling had grown stronger over the past few days. As if a pair of unseen eyes were following her, observing her every move from a distance. She tried convincing herself that it was just her imagination, just paranoia. But her instincts screamed otherwise.

She was not alone.

Her steps quickened. Her fingers gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her heart pounding hard against her ribs. She wanted to get out of this building as soon as possible, to see Lucas or Queen Dior-anyone who could make her feel safe.

But just as she rounded the corner leading to the exit...

Her phone vibrated.

Nadine flinched. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled her phone from the pocket of her coat. A message had arrived from an unknown number.

"Don't go home alone tonight."

Her heart dropped.

Her fingers tensed as she stared blankly at the screen. Her mind raced, searching for a logical explanation. Maybe it was just a prank. Maybe it was just a coincidence.

But deep inside, she knew.

This was no coincidence.

That unsettling feeling wasn't just paranoia.

Someone was really watching her.

2. ADRIAN

In his dark and silent room, Adrian Callway stared at the computer screen, his expression unreadable. His fingers tapped against the glass surface of his desk in a steady rhythm, as if counting down time.

On the screen, a surveillance camera feed showed a young woman walking alone through a dimly lit campus corridor. She looked anxious, glancing over her shoulder as if sensing something unseen.

Adrian smirked.

He could feel Nadine's fear even from a distance. And that only excited him more.

Fear was the beginning of everything.

From the moment he first saw her, Adrian knew he could never let Nadine go. And he would not allow anyone else to take her.

Not even Lucas Alexander.

That man thought he could protect Nadine, thought he could be the hero of this story. But Lucas had no idea who he was up against.

Adrian had planned everything perfectly.

Lucas might have wealth and influence, but Adrian had something far more important-control.

He had the world under his control.

And soon, the world would show Lucas that Nadine was never meant for him.

3. LUCAS

Lucas sat in the back seat of his car, staring at his phone with a serious expression. He had just received a message from Nadine.

"I feel like someone is following me."

Doubt crossed his mind. Was this just Nadine's anxiety getting the best of her, or was there something more to it?

He couldn't ignore the bad feeling that had been nagging at him lately.

Lucas knew Nadine wasn't the type to panic easily. If she said she felt watched, then something was definitely wrong.

And only one name came to mind.

Adrian Callway.

Lucas clenched his fists. He didn't have proof yet, but his gut told him that man was behind this.

But how?

Adrian was supposed to be in prison.

He wasn't supposed to be able to reach Nadine anymore.

Yet, something felt off.

Lucas wouldn't stand by and do nothing. He had to protect Nadine, no matter how far he had to go.

4. QUEEN DIOR

Queen Dior stood on the balcony of her apartment, the night breeze gently tousling her long hair. In her hand, a glass of red wine swirled slowly, reflecting the unease that filled her mind.

She had just gotten off the phone with Nadine.

Her best friend had sounded anxious, her voice trembling. And what was worse-Lucas had rushed to see her the moment he heard about it.

Queen took a slow sip of her wine, her eyes gleaming.

Lucas.

His name consumed her thoughts more than it should.

She had loved Lucas longer than she was willing to admit. Since childhood, they had always been together. And even though Lucas had never seen her as more than a friend, Queen had always hoped.

But then, Nadine came.

And everything changed.

Lucas, who had always been there for her, started drifting away, his attention solely focused on one person-Nadine.

Queen loved Nadine. She was her best friend.

But she also loved Lucas.

And for the first time in her life, she hated herself for it.