Chapter 4 — The Warning
606 Words
The evening had grown darker over the Smith estate.
After the discovery of the surveillance device, the atmosphere inside the mansion had changed completely.
Alexander stood near the entrance with his grandfather and two security officers.
He had stayed longer than planned.
Not because he had forgotten why he came.
But because leaving Anastasia alone after what happened didn't feel right.
His grandfather glanced at his watch.
"Alexander, we should go."
Alexander nodded.
He looked toward Anastasia, who was standing a few steps away with her arms crossed.
"I'll have my people increase the security around this estate tonight."
Anastasia raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that a little excessive?"
"No."
"You've known about the threat for less than an hour."
"That's enough."
She sighed.
"You've always been this controlling?"
"Only when necessary."
"And apparently everything is necessary to you."
Alexander's lips curved slightly.
"You're learning quickly."
Anastasia rolled her eyes.
His grandfather watched the exchange with quiet amusement.
Six years ago, Alexander had been nearly impossible to approach.
Now, after meeting Anastasia again, he was already arguing with her as though they'd known each other for years.
Alexander walked toward the front doors.
Then he stopped.
"Anastasia."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
"Don't go anywhere alone."
She smiled.
"I'm twenty-two, not twelve."
"I know."
"Then?"
"I still don't like the idea."
She stared at him for a moment.
There was something strangely sincere about his concern.
It made her uncomfortable.
Not because she disliked it.
Because she liked it too much.
"I'll be careful."
Alexander held her gaze.
"Promise?"
Anastasia smiled.
"Promise."
He nodded.
Then he turned toward the door.
But before he stepped outside, Anastasia suddenly spoke.
"Alexander."
He looked back.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For believing me."
Alexander's expression softened.
"I've believed you since the day we met."
Anastasia's eyes widened slightly.
"You remember that much?"
"Everything."
He paused.
"Good night, Anastasia."
"Good night."
Alexander finally left.
His car disappeared through the gates of the Smith estate.
Anastasia watched until the taillights vanished into the distance.
Only then did her smile disappear.
She slowly walked back inside.
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
She stared at the screen.
One message.
WE KNOW YOU'RE BACK.
Anastasia's expression remained calm.
Another message appeared.
YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED AWAY.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
A third message followed.
THIS TIME, WE WON'T LET YOU ESCAPE.
Anastasia's eyes became cold.
She deleted the messages.
Then she walked toward her bedroom.
The moment she closed the door, she opened a hidden compartment beneath her desk.
Inside were several passports.
Different names.
Different identities.
A small black laptop.
A set of medical instruments.
A pair of martial arts gloves.
And an old photograph.
The photograph showed a sixteen-year-old Anastasia standing beneath a pavilion in the rain.
Beside her stood a twenty-year-old Alexander.
Anastasia touched the photograph gently.
"I didn't come back to run."
She closed the compartment.
"I came back because it's time to finish what I started."
---
Meanwhile, inside the Go family's car, Alexander sat silently.
His grandfather glanced at him.
"You look distracted."
"I'm thinking."
"About the engagement?"
Alexander looked out the window.
"About Anastasia."
His grandfather smiled.
"Of course."
Alexander ignored the teasing.
Then his phone vibrated.
One of his security officers had sent him a report.
No suspicious activity detected around the Smith estate.
Alexander stared at the message.
Something felt wrong.
He didn't know why.
But his instincts had rarely been wrong.
He looked back toward the road behind them.
The Smith estate was already out of sight.
Yet Alexander couldn't shake the feeling that leaving Anastasia behind tonight—
would become his biggest mistake.
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