Chapter 2 The Warning

The message on my phone glowed ominously in the dim light of the apartment. My fingers hovered over it, hesitant, as David watched me with that infuriatingly calm expression.

"I... I don't know if I should read it," I whispered, my voice barely steady.

David took a cautious step closer, his eyes searching mine. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together," he said softly. "I won't let anything happen to you."

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe in us. But the pounding in my chest screamed otherwise. After everything, can I trust him again?

Finally, I swiped the message open. The words were short, sharp, and terrifying:

"Don't trust him. She's back. Danger is closer than you think."

My hands shook. "What does this mean? Who's back?" I asked, panic creeping into my voice.

David's brows knitted in confusion. "Who sent this?"

"I don't know... it's anonymous," I admitted. "But the warning... it's about me. Or maybe about us."

His jaw tightened, and his gaze darkened. "Emma... stay here. Don't go anywhere alone. I'll protect you. I promise."

Even as he spoke, my mind was racing. Who could be back? Someone from his past? Someone from mine? Or... someone who wanted to hurt both of us?

I wanted to argue, to tell him to leave and keep me safe at a distance, but my instincts-irrational as they felt-wanted him here. I couldn't explain it, but being near him, even now, felt like a shield against the fear that gripped me.

"You shouldn't have come back," I said, my voice trembling. "Not now. Not when everything is so... uncertain."

David's hand brushed against mine as he reached for my phone. "I didn't come back to make things easy. I came back to fight for you, for us. And I don't care about the danger. I care about you."

I swallowed hard, my heart betraying me with a painful flutter. Every word he spoke pulled me closer, like invisible strings I couldn't resist.

But reality hit me hard. The message. The warning. The fact that I had no idea who-or what-was coming for me. And despite the chemistry, the longing, and the memories, I couldn't ignore the risk.

"What if it's true?" I whispered. "What if you're part of the danger? What if everything we had... everything we could have... ends badly?"

David's eyes softened, and he took my hands in his. "Emma... look at me. I'm not here to hurt you. I left because I thought I was protecting you. But I never stopped loving you. Nothing-nothing-will change that. Trust me, even if it's just a little."

I wanted to. I really wanted to. But the fear gnawed at me, making my resolve waver. "I don't know if I can," I admitted.

He pulled me into a gentle hug, careful not to overwhelm me. The scent of him, familiar yet intoxicating, wrapped around me. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the comfort of his presence wash over me.

But even in that moment, the warning echoed in my mind. Danger. Someone was back. And the feeling of being watched didn't leave my chest, heavy and relentless.

"Emma," David murmured, pulling back just enough to see my face. "We'll figure this out. Together. No one is going to hurt you-not while I'm here."

I nodded slowly, my resolve beginning to form, though uncertainty still lingered. "Okay... together," I said, my voice firmer than before.

Suddenly, a knock on the door made both of us jump.

I froze. "Who...?"

David moved in front of me protectively. "Stay behind me," he ordered, his tone sharp now, commanding.

I heard the soft voice of a woman outside. "Emma... it's me. I need to talk to you. Please, just open the door."

Something in the voice made my blood run cold. There was urgency, fear, and familiarity, all twisted together.

David's hand tightened around mine. "Do you know her?"

I hesitated, my heart thundering. "I... I don't think so. But... I feel like I should."

The knocking continued, more insistent now. My pulse raced. Every instinct screamed danger-but part of me, the part still drawn to mystery and the unresolved, wanted to open the door.

David's gaze met mine, serious and unwavering. "Emma, whatever happens... don't open it alone."

I nodded, my fingers trembling, caught between curiosity, fear, and something I couldn't name.

The knocking didn't stop. And as the shadow of the stranger appeared briefly through the peephole, I realized-this wasn't just about the past anymore.

Someone had returned. And they weren't leaving without shaking everything Emma thought she knew... including David.

David stepped closer to the door, his hand on the knob, and whispered, "Emma... stay behind me."

I nodded, barely breathing, as he slowly opened the door just enough to peek through. The woman outside was in her late twenties, with sharp features and eyes that seemed almost too familiar. She looked terrified, but also determined.

"Emma Carter?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I swallowed hard. "Yes... who are you?"

The woman glanced at David, then back at me. "I'm... a friend. I-" She hesitated, biting her lip. "I'm here to warn you. You're in danger. David doesn't know everything."

David's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Tell me exactly what this is about."

The woman shook her head. "I can't here. It's not safe. But you need to leave... now."

My stomach dropped. "Leave? Where? Why? What's happening?"

She glanced nervously over her shoulder, her fear palpable. "I can't explain. Just... trust me. Someone from the past has returned. They're dangerous. And they want you. I'm sorry I couldn't reach you sooner."

David's jaw tightened, his protective instincts kicking in. "Emma, we're not leaving until I know who sent that message. Who's behind this?"

The woman's lips pressed into a thin line. "You'll understand soon. Please... don't let them find you alone. And David..." Her eyes softened for a moment. "Even he isn't completely safe. Trust no one. Not yet."

Before I could ask more, she turned and vanished into the shadows, disappearing into the city streets as quickly as she appeared.

I leaned against the door, my chest heaving. "Who was that? What did she mean? Why didn't she tell us everything?"

David closed the door and locked it, his face pale but determined. "I don't know... but whoever she is, she's scared. And that means this is serious. Emma... I need you to promise me-you'll stay inside tonight. No one comes in or out until we figure this out."

I nodded, swallowing my fear. "Okay... I promise."

But even as I said it, my mind raced. Someone dangerous was back. Someone connected to our past. And David... as much as I wanted to trust him, I couldn't shake the feeling that there were pieces of the puzzle he didn't know-or maybe, couldn't tell me yet.

David noticed my hesitation and took my hands in his. "Emma, I know this is a lot. But I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you. Not again."

I looked into his eyes, and for a moment, I almost believed it. Almost.

Then the phone buzzed again. Another anonymous message.

"He's closer than you think. Don't trust anyone. Not even him."

My fingers shook as I stared at the screen. David saw it too, and his face darkened.

"This is bigger than I thought," he muttered. "Emma... we're in deeper than we realize."

I felt a cold chill run down my spine. Someone had returned, someone dangerous. And now, nothing would ever be the same-not my life, not my heart... and not my second chance with David.