Chapter 3: A SHADOW FROM THE PAST

The cryptic text lingered in my thoughts long after I left the office that evening. The city buzzed around me, vibrant and chaotic, yet I felt a growing unease. The lights of Manhattan glimmered like stars against the deepening night sky, but I couldn't shake the chill that crept into my bones.

My car glided through the streets, the hum of the engine a steady backdrop to my racing mind. I stared out the window, watching the familiar sights of the city blur past—places I had once wandered with Daniel, back when everything was different. Back when I was different.

But those days were over. I was no longer the naive young woman who had let Daniel Blackwood control her every move. I had built something of my own now, something that mattered. NexTech was my future, and I wouldn’t let anything—or anyone—take that from me.

By the time I reached my apartment, a sleek, modern space on the Upper West Side, the feeling of unease had settled into a simmering determination. I couldn’t afford to let fear creep in. Not now.

As I walked into the spacious living room, the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the twinkling lights a stark contrast to the darkness that seemed to be closing in. I dropped my purse on the couch and made my way to the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of wine in an attempt to unwind.

The first sip did little to calm my nerves. I could still feel the weight of that mysterious message, the warning it carried. Who was behind it? And why had they sent it to me? My mind flickered to the email I’d received earlier—the one from the private equity firm. Was there a connection?

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts, finally landing on Sam’s name. If anyone could help me make sense of this, it was her. I hit the call button and waited, my fingers tapping anxiously against the countertop.

“Emily?” Sam’s voice crackled through the line, warm and familiar.

“Hey, Sam. Did you get a chance to look into that email?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.

“I did. It’s odd—this firm is legit, but there’s almost no public information about them. They’ve been involved in a few high-profile deals, but they keep a low profile. It’s like they don’t want to be found.”

That only confirmed my suspicions. “And the text? Any idea who could’ve sent it?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Honestly, Em, it’s hard to say. It could be anyone, but something tells me it’s connected to Daniel.”

I clenched my jaw at the mention of his name. Daniel Blackwood. The man who had once been the center of my world, and who now haunted my every step like a shadow. I hadn’t seen him in months—not since our divorce was finalized—but his presence still loomed over me, like a specter I couldn’t escape.

“Why would he do that?” I asked, though deep down, I already knew the answer. Daniel thrived on control, and he wasn’t the type to let go easily. Especially not when it came to something—or someone—he believed belonged to him.

“He’s never been good at losing,” Sam replied, echoing my thoughts. “But listen, Emily, don’t let him get in your head. This is your time. NexTech is about to take off, and you need to stay focused.”

She was right, of course. But even as I nodded and thanked her, a nagging feeling told me that it wouldn’t be that simple. Daniel wasn’t the kind of man who simply let things go. If he was behind this, then it meant he wasn’t done with me. Not by a long shot.

After hanging up, I took another sip of wine and stared out at the city, lost in thought. My fingers absently traced the rim of the glass as I tried to piece together the puzzle that was forming around me.

I couldn’t help but think back to when Daniel and I first met. He had been charming, magnetic—a man who knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it. And for a while, I had been content to be part of his world, dazzled by the luxury, the power, the sense of invincibility that came with being by his side.

But beneath the surface, there had always been something darker, something controlling. Daniel wasn’t just driven—he was obsessed with control. And when I started to pull away, to assert my independence, he had tightened his grip, refusing to let me slip through his fingers.

That’s why I had left. Why I had walked away from the life we had built together, despite the fear and the uncertainty. I had to, or I would have lost myself completely.

But now, it seemed, Daniel wasn’t done with me. He was still lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. And if this text was any indication, he was ready to make his move.

I set the glass down and rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the headache that was threatening to take hold. I had to be strong. I couldn’t let him get to me.

But even as I told myself that, I knew that facing Daniel again was inevitable. It was only a matter of time.

The next day, I threw myself into work, determined to push all thoughts of Daniel aside. The launch of NexTech had drawn a lot of attention, and we were already fielding calls from potential investors and partners. I spent the morning in back-to-back meetings, going over proposals and discussing strategies with my team.

But even as I buried myself in work, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. It was an irrational thought, I knew, but it persisted, gnawing at the edges of my mind.

By the time afternoon rolled around, I was more than ready for a break. I had a networking event to attend later that evening, and though I wasn’t exactly in the mood, I knew it was important to make an appearance. This was a chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the industry, and I couldn’t afford to miss it.

The event was being held at one of Manhattan’s most exclusive venues, a sleek, modern space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city. The room was filled with the who’s who of the tech and business world, and I could feel the buzz of energy as I stepped inside, the murmur of conversation, the clink of champagne glasses.

I plastered a polite smile on my face and made my way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in small talk with other entrepreneurs and investors. But even as I mingled, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, that I was being observed.

And then, I saw him.

Across the room, standing near the bar, his eyes locked on me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. Daniel.

He looked as powerful and imposing as ever, dressed in a tailored suit that screamed wealth and authority. His dark hair was slicked back, and his sharp features were set in a mask of calm control. But his eyes—they were burning with something darker, something more dangerous.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. What was he doing here? Why now? I had managed to avoid him for so long, but now, here he was, watching me with that same predatory gaze I knew all too well.

For a moment, our eyes locked, and the world seemed to fall away. It was as if no time had passed, as if the months of separation hadn’t happened at all. The connection between us—dark, twisted, and undeniable—was still there, pulsing beneath the surface.

Then, with a small, almost imperceptible nod, Daniel turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing there, breathless and shaken.

The game had begun. And I knew, without a doubt, that Daniel wasn’t here just to watch.