Troubled past

CHAPTER 4: A MESSAGE IN THE DARK

I wake up to the sound of laughter. Not real laughter. Not Alexander’s warm, easy laugh.

It’s in my head. Daniel’s laugh.

I sit up in bed, breath shaky, heart pounding like a drum. The bedroom is dark, only the dim glow of the nightstand lamp cutting through the shadows. Alexander is asleep beside me, his arm heavy across my waist. I slip out from under him carefully, my body trembling.

I grab my robe and wrap it tight around me, walking barefoot across the room. The air feels cold tonight, colder than usual. I step onto the balcony, clutching the railing, trying to calm my breathing.

The gardens below are still and silent, bathed in silver moonlight. Guards stand at the far end of the courtyard like statues.

Nothing moves.

But I feel him.

The same feeling I’ve had for days now—that sensation at the back of my neck, that weight in the air. He’s here. Somewhere close.

I shiver and go back inside, locking the balcony door.

I don’t fall back asleep.

Morning comes too quickly.

I plaster on a smile, get dressed, and sit across from Alexander at the breakfast table. He looks rested, sharp as always in his tailored suit. I look like I haven’t slept in a week.

He notices. He always notices.

“Elena,” he says softly. “You’re scaring me.”

“I’m fine,” I say, forcing a smile.

He sets his fork down and studies me with those steady dark eyes of his. “You’re not fine. You’re jumpy. You’re pale. You’ve barely eaten in days. Talk to me.”

I swallow hard, looking down at my plate. I want to tell him. I want to blurt out the truth, all of it. But my throat tightens, fear choking me.

If I tell him Daniel is alive, I’ll have to tell him everything. About my first marriage. About that night. About the blood.

What if he looks at me differently? What if I lose him?

“I’m just tired,” I whisper.

Alexander sighs, frustration flashing briefly in his eyes. But he doesn’t push further. Instead, he reaches across the table and takes my hand. “We’re leaving the palace this afternoon. Just the two of us. A change of scenery might help.”

I nod, grateful for his patience, though guilt twists in my stomach. He’s trying so hard to help me, but he has no idea what kind of danger is closing in on us.

By late afternoon, we’re at one of the royal villas outside the city. It’s beautiful—tall windows, warm wooden floors, and a view of the mountains. It should feel safe, but it doesn’t.

I can’t shake the feeling of being watched. Even as we sip tea on the terrace, even as Alexander gently wraps his arm around my shoulders, I can feel Daniel’s presence like a shadow hovering nearby.

“Relax,” Alexander murmurs, kissing the top of my head. “No one can get to you here.”

I nod, leaning into him, but I don’t believe it.

That night, after Alexander falls asleep, I wander the villa. I check every lock, every window. My fingers tremble as I pull the curtains shut.

In the hallway, I pause.

There’s something on the floor.

I kneel down, heart pounding. It’s a single white envelope, placed neatly in front of the bedroom door. No one knocked. No one rang the bell.

My breath catches in my throat.

I pick it up carefully, hands shaking as I slide my finger under the seal.

Inside is a single photograph.

Me.

Sleeping.

The photo was taken in this room, in this bed, maybe hours ago.

My heart slams against my ribs. My breath comes fast and shallow.

On the back of the photo is a message written in red ink:

Sweet dreams, Elena.

The envelope slips from my hand, fluttering to the floor. I stumble back, clutching my chest.

He’s here. He’s close.

I run to Alexander’s side of the bed and shake him awake, panic choking my voice. “Alex! Wake up!”

He jolts upright instantly, his instincts sharp. “What’s wrong?”

I hand him the photo with trembling fingers. His jaw tightens as he studies it, his expression darkening.

“Where did you find this?” His voice is calm, too calm.

“In the hallway,” I whisper, my body trembling violently.

Alexander gets out of bed, immediately switching into protective mode. He calls for his security detail, his tone firm and commanding. Within minutes, guards are sweeping the villa, checking every door, every window.

I sit on the edge of the bed, hugging myself, tears streaming down my face.

Alexander kneels in front of me, cupping my face in his hands. “You’re safe. I promise.”

But his eyes… his eyes are filled with anger.

Not at me, but at whoever dared to get this close.

The villa goes on lockdown. Guards patrol the halls, their radios crackling softly. Alexander refuses to leave my side, holding me close as if his strength alone can keep me safe.

But I can’t stop shaking.

Because the photo proves what I’ve been feeling all along. Daniel isn’t just alive. He’s here. Watching.

And if he can get this close without anyone noticing, he can do anything.

“Talk to me,” Alexander says softly that morning as the sun rises. He’s holding me in bed, his arms wrapped tightly around me.

“I…” My throat tightens. Tears spill down my cheeks. “I can’t.”

His jaw clenches. “Elena, I love you. You know that, don’t you?”

I nod.

“Then please, trust me.”

I look into his eyes. They’re so warm, so steady, so full of love. He deserves the truth. But fear clamps down on me like a vice.

If I tell him, everything will change. He’ll see me differently. Maybe he’ll never look at me the same way again.

“I’m scared,” I whisper.

His arms tighten around me. “I’ll protect you. I swear it.”

But how do you protect someone from a ghost?

We leave the villa later that day, escorted by security. I sit in the car beside Alexander, staring out the window. The city looks normal, people laughing, shopping, living their lives.

But I can’t stop imagining Daniel in the crowd, watching me, smiling that cruel smile.

When we get back to the palace, Alexander tightens security even more. Guards stand outside our bedroom door all night.

But I still can’t sleep.

At some point, I get up and walk to the balcony. I wrap my arms around myself, scanning the grounds below.

That’s when I see him.

A man standing by the farthest gate, barely visible in the shadows.

I freeze, my breath catching.

Even from here, I know it’s him.

Daniel.

He lifts his hand slowly and waves.

My blood runs cold.

I stumble back from the balcony, slamming the doors shut and locking them. My chest heaves, my heart racing.

He’s not hiding anymore.

I crawl back into bed, curling up against Alexander’s chest. He stirs slightly, wrapping his arms around me, still half-asleep.

But I can’t close my eyes.

Daniel’s face is burned into my mind, that slow, mocking wave.

He’s alive. He’s close. And now he wants me to know it.